ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH (ABMB) opens to the public today. The 17th edition of the art fair features more than 250 galleries from 35 countries in the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. The enthusiasm surrounding ABMB has infused the entire city over the years, inspiring a slate of satellite fairs offering more accessible and diverse buying experiences and special exhibitions, programming and related events.
Representation remains wanting, but after nearly two decades, there are more opportunities to explore art by black artists at ABMB. A number of galleries are offering choice works by African American artists—selections by prominent names and promising emerging talents, new works fresh from artists’s studios, and important works by historic artists and under-appreciated figures. Many dealers are devoting displays to individual artists. Here’s an overview of where to find them:
Galleries
The art fair floor is organized in a series of sectors, including the main Galleries section, and areas called Nova, Survey, Edition, and Positions. The Galleries sector is occupied by top galleries—established dealers with exceptional programs and rosters that include artists who are represented in museum collections. High-priced heavyweights can be found here.
Meanwhile, a huge Njideka Akunyili Crosby painting is at Victoria Miro Gallery of London. Sadie Coles HQ of London is showing Martine Syms. New York-based Garth Greenan Gallery has works by Howardena Pindell.And Goodman Gallery, which has locations in Cape Town and Johannesburg is showing works by El Anatsui, Kudzanai Chiurai, Yinka Shonibare, and Hank Willis Thomas, among others.
– Victoria L. Valentine