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New York – On Sunday, September 8, The Armory Show concluded its 30th edition, marking a landmark year as the first under the helm of its new director, Kyla McMillan and entirely within the Frieze network. Despite lingering concerns about the state-of-the-art market over the past year, the mood at Thursday’s VIP preview of The Armory Show in New York was surprisingly upbeat. Dealers, advisors, and collectors shared a sense of optimism, with many viewing the event as the start of the fair season for the US market’s annual cycle of fairs and auctions.

The Attendees were eager to see how the season would unfold. This edition welcomed an array of international exhibitors, collectors, curators, artists, and guests, totalling over 50,000 attendees. The VIP Preview was held on September 5, and the fair opened to the public from September 6–8. The fair’s impact reached beyond its location at the Javits Center, encompassing installations and events across New York City.

Reflecting on the event, Kyla McMillan, Director of The Armory Show, said, “The 2024 edition of The Armory Show has been an exciting and transformative year for us. We’ve brought together an incredible mix of galleries, artists, and collectors, creating a dynamic platform that captures the pulse of today’s creative landscape. Beyond the fair booths, this energy was enhanced by our curatorial programs, city-wide installations and performances, and panel discussions that included leaders across the art world. Witnessing the strong institutional engagement and enthusiasm that filled the fair has been an honour. I am excited to explore this ever-evolving sense of discovery and engagement at the Show’s core. This year’s fair not only celebrates our history but also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we continue to shape and contribute to the cultural landscape of New York and the broader contemporary art community.”  

Christine Messineo, Director of Americas, Frieze, said, “The Armory Show has firmly positioned itself as the kick-off for the New York fall art season; collectors and institutions were active and engaged across all four days. Our audience and galleries welcomed Kyla McMillian’s new leadership and the show’s integration into the larger Frieze network.”

REPORTED SALES  

Exhibitors at The Armory Show reported strong sales to top collectors, prestigious museums and institutions. 

Notable sales included: 

Victoria Miro confirmed placing a primary market painting by Yayoi Kusama for $800,000, five of an edition of six video installations by Isaac Julien sold for $350,000 to $450,000, and several Julien photos for $40,000 to $80,000.

Kasmin had placed several significant paintings, including Robert Motherwell‘s “Apse” (1980-1984) for $825,000 and Walton Ford‘s “The Singer Tract” (2023) for $750,000, as well as works by artists including Sara Anstis and Jan-Ole Schiemann, and Emil Sands for prices between $16,000 and $35,000. Sands will have his first solo exhibition at the gallery in January 2025. Additionally, the gallery sold work by Diana Al-Hadid, “In a Twist,” 2024, for $85,000; Ian Davenport’s acrylic work, “Fra Study No. 2,” 2024, for $65,000; a Tina Barney print, “High School Band,” 2017 for $22,000; and a Daniel Gordon pigment print, “Light Study (Grater and Knives),” 2024 for $7,500.

 Locks Gallery placed an essential oil on canvas piece by Pat Steir for $750,000 and two Hanne Friistextiles for $20,000 each. 

Berry Campbell placed a newly released, never-before-seen painting from the archive of Lynne Drexler, “Autumn Twilight” (1977), which sold for $450,000 to a private collection, a historical work by Perle Fine, selling for $225,000,  a painting by Yvonne Thomas, “Blue Green” (1964), sold for $125,000, while oil on mylar by Nanette Carter, “Cantilevered #14” (2014), sold for $22,000. They additionally sold a Janice Biala painting for $42,000, a Dorothy Denher sculpture for $32,000, and a Bernice Bing acrylic work for $35,000.

Tang Contemporary Art placed an Ai Weiwei bronze casting for $450,000, and one of his Lego Brickworks for $140,000 – $160,000, an oil on canvas painting by Jonas Burgert for $90,000, two oil paintings by Zhu Jinshi for $80,000 and a painting by Suntur for $22,000

Lurdoff placed a significant Gerhard Richter oil on book cover work for $420,000; two Alex Katz prints for $25,000 and $21,000, one of Andy Warhol‘s iconic “Liz” works for $88,000, a Josef Albers for $18,000 and an Imi KnoebelAcrylic piece for $18,000

DAG placed “PR-KRITEE,” a dry pigment acrylic and oil painting by Natvar Bhavsar, for $225,000.

A Lighthouse called Kanata sold fifteen works from its booth, including Garden (2024), a Japanese pigment on paper and mounted panel work by Ayane Mikagi; an ash, bronze, and patinated plate work by Joseph Walsh; a hammered and polished stainless steel sculpture by Satoru Ozaki; and a multimedia dual panelled work by Kentaro Sato. The works were priced between $50,000 and $250,000.

Johyun Gallery sold three charcoal works by Lee Bae ranging in price from $90,000 to $300,000, a painting by Lee Kwang Ho in the range of $30,000 to $40,000, an oil on canvas work by Kang Kang Hoon between $25,000 and $35,000, and an oil painting by Lee So Yeun for $10,000 to $20,000.

Buchmann Galerie placed a Tony Cragg sculpture priced between $170,000 and $190,000, a Clare Woods oil painting on aluminium priced between $80,000 and $90,000, and a Bettina Pousttchi acrylic priced between $50,000 and $60,000. 

Catharine Clark Gallery sold two major works by Masami Teraoka to a private foundation in Asia, one of which was an important work from the artist’s AIDS series, for $175,000. Other works sold for $125,000, $22,000, $3,5000, and $8,500. Two additional historical works that debuted at the Whitney Museum of American Art went for $150,000 each to a private collection in Los Angeles.

Sean Kelly sold Sam Moyer’s “Compound Fern” (2024) for $70,000, Jose Dávila’s archival pigment print “Untitled (Cowboy)” (2023) for $65,000, Ilse D’Hollander’s “Untitled” (1995) for $61,000, and several Hugo McCloudpaintings including “Blessing of the Hands 1” (2024), for $45,000 and “Untitled” (2024) for $30,000. 

303 Gallery sold three Doug Aitken lightbox works ranging from $150,000 to $275,000 each, two works by Rob Pruitt at $175,000 each, three pigment-on-linen works by Sam Falls in the range of $70,000 to $90,000 each, a painting by Hans-Peter Feldmann for €70,000, three works by Jeppe Hein for $45,000 each, and a sculpture by Alicja Kwade for €30,000.

Michael Kohn Gallery sold two Lita Albuquerque paintings for $75,000 and $95,000, an oil painting by Nir Hod for $98,000, and an Alicia Adamerovich painting for $55,000. They also sold an oil painting by William Brickelfor for $10,000 and a work on paper from Kate Barbee for $6,500. The gallery also sold two Nir Hod oil paintings for $28,000 and $26,000, respectively.

Nature Morte placed an oil painting by Tanya Goel, which sold for $100,000 to $120,000. They also sold a work by Theo Pinto for $15,000 to $18,000. They also sold a laser etching on intumescent paint on MDF by Martand Khosla for $5,000 to $8,000. 

Templon sold a Chiharu Shiota painting for €120,000 and a sculpture for €100,000. The gallery also placed a large Alioune Diagne painting with a U.S. Museum for €85,000 and sold multiple works on paper by Omar Ba for $18,000 each. They could also sell works by Jim Dine, with sales in the $50,000 to $150,000 range.

Nara Roesler sold an Abraham Palatnik painting from 2018 entitled “W-HB 7″ for $120,000. The gallery also sold a mixed media work, “Surfaces: The Meschers, after Ellsworth Kelly,” from 2019 by Vik Muniz for $65,000. Additional sales included:

• Two works by Marco A. Castillo for $90,000 and $60,000.
• A Daniel Senise monotype for $55,000.
• An Elian Almeida painting for $22,000.
• A work on paper by Thiago Barbalho for $20,000.
• An acrylic and mineral pigment work by Manoela Medeiros for $13,500. 

Carl Freedman sold multiple Billy Childish works from €40,000 to €100,000. 

Larkin Durey sold an acrylic and mixed media on canvas by Aboudia to a new collector for $110,000 and a work on paper for $18,000; $70,000 for the acrylic painting Les Jardins de la prairie by Marc Padeu; and mixed media works from Anders Sunna for $45,000 and $40,000. 

KOTARO NUKAGA placed multiple artworks, including a mixed-media canvas work by Tomokazu Matsuyama for $100,000, two Nir Hod paintings for $60,000 and $28,000, a Keita Morimoto painting for $21,000, a Tomona Matsukawa painting for $10,000, and a work by Nanami Inoue for $3,000.

Eric Firestone Gallery sold two oil paintings by Paul Waters for $100,000 and $50,000, respectively. The gallery also sold three monumental ceramic works by Cybele Rowe for $50,000 each, placing three paintings by Huê Thi Hoffmaster, which sold for $25,000 to $50,000 apiece.

Blue Velvet reportedly sold eight works by artist Chryssa Vardea in her first presentation at an international art fair; the works sold for between $14,000 and $100,000. 

Southern Guild placed multiple works, including a $85,000 sculpture by Zizipho Poswa, a $60,000 work by Manyaku Mashilo, two Kamyar Bineshtarigh works for $9,000 and $20,000, and five works by Mmangaliso Nzuza, sold at price points of $11,000 and $8,000.

Roberts Projects sold a painting by Daniel Crews-Chubb for $85,000, a Lenz Geerk painting for $75,000, a work by Collins Obijiaku for $20,000, and a $16,000 work by Luke Agada. Additionally, the gallery sold two works by Mia Middleton for $11,000 each and two works by Wendy Red Star for $8,000 each.

James Cohan sold two acrylic paintings from Trenton Doyle Hancock for $80,000 each and two by Eamon Ore-Giron for $50,000 each. They also placed two embroidered works from Jordan Nassar for $34,000 each, three Naudline Pierre oil paintings for $109,000 total, and an Alison Elizabeth Taylor work for $22,000. 

Pippy Houldsworth Gallery sold a painting by Angela Heisch to an essential collection for $75,000 and placed a work by Zoë Buckman for $50,000.

Jessica Silverman sold a diptych by Rupy C. Tut for $75,000 and a multi-panel work by Sadie Barnette for $70,000. The gallery placed  Julie Buffalohead’s large-scale oil paintings for $65,000 and $50,000. Other sales include:

• A glazed ceramic-tied tongue by Woody De Othello for $30,000.
• A paper clay on woodwork by Pae White for $25,000.
• A painting by Hugh Scott-Doulgas titled Matters Principal for USD 18,000.

Roberts Projects sold works by Daniel Crews-Chubb, Lenz Geerk, Collins Obijiaku, and Luke Agada for $85,000, $75,000, $20,000, and $16,000, respectively. The gallery also sold two Mia Middleton works for $11,000 each, and two Wendy Red Star works for $8,000.

Monique Meloche sold Ebony G. Patterson’s Studies for a vocabulary of loss, digital print on archival watercolour paper, construction paper with feather butterflies, plastic flies, roaches, and a memorial rosette for $50,000. The gallery also placed works in private collections from NY to Peru to Paris and Chicago. Ben Hunter Gallery sold multiple paintings by Christopher Page for between $30,000 and $50,000.

Tim Van Laere had a solid opening day, selling a cast glass work by Leiko Ikemura for $48,000, an oil and acrylic painting by Ben Sledsens for $40,000, and an oil painting by Bram Demunter for $38,0000.

Night Gallery sold four paintings by Sarah Miska for $48,000, $48,000, $32,000, and $16,000. It also sold a work by Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola for $40,000, works from Claire Tabouret for $10,000 – $30,000, and a Sarah Awaad piece for $22,000. The gallery also placed a ceramic work by Grant Levy-Lucero for $16,000 and an Elaine Stockipiece for $10,000. 

Galerie Ron Mandos sold six oil paintings by Katinka Lampe, totalling $160,000, and 20 Jonny Niesche paintings, totalling $300,000, selling out their presentation of the artist.

What The Dealers Said

Glenn Scott Wright, Director and partner of Victoria Miro, “Victoria Miro had an excellent opening day at the Armory with a solo presentation including photographs, a new video installation by Isaac Julien, and a small cabinet featuring three works by Yayoi Kusama. Sales were robust, and by the end of the first day, the gallery had confirmed 5 out of an edition of 6 video installations sold in the $350,000 to $450,000 range, several photos from $40,000 to $80,000 and a primary market painting by Kusama for $800,000 with other sales still pending discussion. We were especially pleased by the robust turnout of museum directors and curators across New York and North America.”

Hannah Traore, Founder of Hannah Traore Gallery, said, “I was truly impressed by the calibre of attendees and exhibitors at this year’s edition of The Armory Show. The team’s commitment to excellence truly shined this weekend, from the layout redesign to the refreshed curatorial vision in each fair section. We are already looking forward to participating in next year’s edition!”

Anne-Claudie Coric, Executive Director of Templon, said, “The Armory Show is a remarkable concentration of New York energy: a crowd delighted to make discoveries, the visit of many major American collectors, numerous museum groups, and buzzing art consultants. We could highlight established American artists like Jim Dine and younger international artists such as Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota or Senegalese artists Omar Ba and Alioune Diagne, with sales in the $50,000 – $150,000 range.”

Christine Berry and Martha Campbell, Berry Campbell Gallery, “We had a fantastic start to the fair, and that momentum continued through the weekend, selling work by Lynne Drexler, Bernice Bing, Dorothy Dehner, Janice Biala, Perle Fine, Yvonne Thomas, Nanette Carter, and more. Collectors attending the fair have discerning tastes and want to acquire high-quality work with market potential. The Armory Show is our hometown fair and has given us an excellent platform to continue our work of championing important historical and contemporary women artists.”

Michael Rosenfeld, Founder of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, “I had an exciting first day at The Armory Show, non-stop and productive visits with major collectors as well as museum curators and directors that began as soon as the fair opened, and until 8:00 pm after the lights were shut off. The energy was fantastic, and we sold meaningful works by various artists.”  

 Daniel Roesler, Partner and Senior Director of Nara Roesler, says, “It is nice to see the energy return to the city for the start of the season at the Armory. Tomie Ohtake has been a focus of conversation at the booth after US and Brazilian collectors saw her work in Venice.” 

Anthony Spinello, Owner Spinello Projects, “This edition of The Armory Show may have been the most successful presentation we’ve ever had in New York. There is a lot of chatter about the market, but no doom and gloom here. The tot, al opposite with a sold outsold-outf paintings by Esaí Alfredo on the opening day.”

Myra Arnaud Babenco, Partner Director, Galeria Raquel Arnaud, “Our participation in The Armory Art Show this year was a great success, with our solo presentation of the German artist Wolfram Ullrich. The focused showcase allowed deeper engagement with the artist’s work, resulting in strong sales and exceptional feedback from collectors and art enthusiasts alike. We are grateful and proud of the meaningful connections we made and excited for the opportunities this will bring for the fair, artists, and our galleries.”

Gallery resident CEO Jaewoo Choi of Johyun Gallery says, “The energy at this year’s Armory Show is impressive. While seeing artists and collectors connect through their works is always rewarding, this year felt especially meaningful as we discussed our Korean artists’ global significance.”

BANK Gallery Founder Mathieu Borysevicz, “BANK and the artist are wholly delighted and honoured to be the recipient of the Sauer FOCUS Prize. We all worked tirelessly on this presentation, which turned out beautiful, poignant, historical, and yet entirely relevant for our precarious times. We thank Sauer, The Armory Show and the judges for their recognition and support.

Amanda Coulson, Founding Director, TERN, “TERN has received incredibly positive feedback for Anina Major’s ceramic and neon works. We are thrilled with the audience response and collector interest. The Pommery Prize was the icing on the cake, and we’re immensely grateful for the opportunity and exposure.”

Jessica Silverman, Founder & Owner of Jessica Silverman, “Following a year in which our artists have enjoyed high profile museum shows and public commissions on the East Coast and Europe, curators and collectors have swarmed our booth. We expect confirmation on several museum sales while collectors wait in the wings.”

Yancey Richardson, Founder of Yancey Richardson, says, “We are thrilled to be back at the Armory and have had a great response to the booth, which is primarily photo-based.”

Jennifer Carvalho, Partner and director of CARVALHO PARK, said, “Introductions with museum and institutional directors and curators defined our opening day at the fair and continued throughout the show’s run. This was my aim for this body of work and sculptor, Rachel Mica Weiss, in her career and trajectory. The fair delivered strongly in this regard.”

Amy Eva Raehse, Partner, Director of Goya Contemporary, “We are thrilled to have showcased two powerful presentations at the fair: the groundbreaking 1973 Louise Fishman work ‘Angry Women,’ displayed in its entirety for the first Time, and a magnificent beaded wall tapestry by Joyce J. Scott, specially created for the fair following her 50-year retrospective opening. The Armory Show’s support of these politically charged works highlights their leading role in continuing the fair’s original mission of prioritizing the urgent communication of relevant and historically important artwork while simultaneously supporting the market.”

Jorge Rios, Art Fairs Coordinator, Van De Weghe, said, “We had an excellent experience at the fair this year. Our solo presentation of artist Frederic Anderson had a very positive reception, both critically and commercially, consolidating the artist’s presence in the New York art scene. We are delighted with the fair’s administration and logistics and look forward to returning next year.”

Scott Ogden, Owner and Director of SHRINE, said, “This was our first year participating in the galleries section at The Armory Show. The fair was so well attended, and all our sales during the show run were to new clients and connections; that was especially exciting.”

David Cleaton-Roberts, Co-director, Cristea Roberts Gallery, London, “I’m happy to report strong sales by a range of artists. Including seven new oil on paper collages by British artist Clare Woods, a large-scale woodcut by German artist Christiane Baumgartner, multiple sets of Julian Opie’s new silkscreen edition and the majority of a new suite of prints by Idris Khan, who had his first U.S. museum solo exhibition earlier this year at Milwaukee Art Museum.”

Niru Ratnam, Founder, Niru Ratnam, “This was an important fair for us as, like many other gallerists, we’ve been very aware of the downturn in the market in the last 12 months. So it was a key moment to try and see where we are in that cycle. And it does seem that there are definite green shoots of recovery – the confidence does seem to be returning to collectors. We had a positive fair with strong sales to new and existing collectors, serious conversations from the start to Sunday afternoon, and a welcome return of positive energy after a challenging period. It is our third year here, and the number of collectors we have met has grown yearly. Each year, there has been a real progression in terms of what we have got from Armory, which is what you want from a fair. And leaving sales aside for a moment, the general enthusiasm and response from visitors to the booth has been really rewarding.”

Almine Rech sold two oil works by Sasha Ferré for €35,000 – €40,000 and one acrylic work by Gwen O’Neil for $35,000 – $40,000. 

WHATIFTHEWORLD sold four works by Chris Soal for between $16,000 and $55,000, two of which were to US institutions.

Many galleries reported to have sold out their booths, such as: 

Carl Kostyál has highlights, including a Maria Pratts oil and pencil work with neon lights for $90,0000 and two more miniature Pratts oil and pencil paintings for $45,000 apiece.

Spinello Projects, which also placed four works to the Hort Family Foundation (New York City, NY), the Jasketa Foundation (Jeffersonville, IN) and the Pérez Art Museum Miami (Miami, FL) with a range of $9,000 to $35,000. 

Cecilia Brunson Projects reported selling out their booth, which included textile works by the Indigenous Argentinian collective Claudia Alarcón & Silät and prints by Anni Albers. The company placed the works with institutions.

 Alexander Berggruen is selling its entire solo presentation of Freya Douglas-Morris paintings, which range from $34,000 to $62,000 each. 

 Marinaro sold out its booth, which featured works by artist Lusiana Mera priced from $12,000 to $30,000. 

 Sim Smith sold out their booth of paintings by artist Daisy Parris. 

 Praxis’s presentation of Simonette Quamina relief prints, each in the range of $16,500 to $32,000.

Including sold-out booths at Alexander Berggruen, Marinaro, and Sim Smith, galleries in the Presents section of the fair performed well, with sales reported to essential collections and institutions. Notable sales in the Presents section included: 

 Charles Moffett sold fifteen Keiran Brennan Hinton paintings from $5,000 to $20,000. 

 Mrs. reported multiple sales, selling 11 paintings by Alexandra Barth for between $3,500 and $13,000.

 Soco Gallery sold more minor mid-size works, including Jackie Gendel’s oil on linen, Crowd Source, for $11,500. 

 Europa almost sold out their booth, including an oil pastel on satin by Larissa Lockshin for $14,000.

Notable Visitors

Collectors from across the country were in attendance at The Armory Show this year, including Sarah Arison, Candace Barasch, Danny Báez, Suzanne Deal Booth, Estrellita B. Brodsky, Robin Zimelman & Larry Eisenstein, Moise Emquies, Matthias de Gonzales, Vincent Fremont, Andy Gao, Bill & Christy Gautreaux, Lisa Goodman, Abel Guaglianone, Agnes Gund, Steve Guttman, Astrid Hill, Pamela Hornik, Jamie Hort, Susan and Michael Hort, Kent Kelley, Jill & Peter Kraus, Ray Learsy, Eric & Liz Lefkofsky, Paul Leong, Burt Levitch, Marianna McDevitt, Ross R. Moody, Alberto Mugrabi, David Mugrabi, Hubert Neumann, Carolyn Ramo, César & Mima Reyes, Robert Rosenkranz, Rebecca & Alan Ross, Mera & Don Rubell, Gwen Callans & Biff Ruttenberg, Peter Scantland, Carole Server, Komal Shah, Carla Shen, Jeffrey Soros, Laurie Tisch, Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch, Yvonne Force Villareal, Steven Wilson, Debi Wisch, Evan Yurman, Tiffany Zabludowicz, and Margot Ziegler. Other figures across the worlds of art, culture, and entertainment were also present, including David Byrne, Michael Cyril Creighton, Dana Delany, Casey Fremont, Alexandra Hedison, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Michael B. Jordan, Busy Phillips, Chris Rock, Jordan Roth, Cynthia Rowley, Paul Rudd, and Frances Tiafoe. Many artists were also in attendance, including Nayland Blake, Sanford Biggers, Zoë Buckman, Dominique Fung, Jennifer Guidi, Isaac Julien, Brad Kahlhamer, Doron Langberg, James Little, Jordan Nassar, Andres Serrano, Deborah Willis, Dustin Yellin. 

Along with collectors and other notable fair-goers, curators and museum directors were well represented at this year’s Armory Show. Among those who visited the fair was Carla Acevedo-Yates (Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago), Cecilia Alemani (Director and Chief Curator, High Line Art), Ian Alteveer (Curator, MFA Boston), Naomi Beckwith (Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum), Cathleen Chaffee (Chief Curator, Buffalo AKG Art Museum), Eric Crosby (Director, Carnegie Museum of Art), Thelma Golden(Director and Chief Curator, The Studio Museum in Harlem), Barbara Haskell (Curator, Whitney Museum of American Art), Henriette Huldisch (Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, Walker Art Center), Glenn D. Lowry (Director, Museum of Modern Art), Cybele Maylone (Executive Director, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum), Brooke Minto (Director, Columbus Museum of Art), Shamim M. Momin (Director of Curatorial Affairs, Henry Art Gallery), Jane Panetta (Curator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Anne Pasternak (Director, The Brooklyn Museum), Ann Philbin (Director, The Hammer Museum), Brooke Kamin Rapaport (Artistic Director and Chief Curator, Madison Square Park Conservancy), Legacy Russell (Executive Director and Chief Curator, The Kitchen) Jay Sanders Back to News