Welcome back to Architerior, where we keep things fun, fresh, and accessible for art enthusiasts and new collectors alike! I’m delighted to whisk you off to The Armory Show 2025, one of New York’s boldest—yet most inviting—escapes into contemporary art.
A Brief History of The Armory Show
Though the name hints at military history, The Armory Show’s real legacy stems from 1994, when five visionary New York art dealers launched the Gramercy International Art Fair to spotlight contemporary artists with global flair. By 1999, the fair had evolved into The Armory Show, paying homage to the groundbreaking 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art—a milestone that introduced America to Fauvism, Cubism, and other avant-garde movements.
That 1913 debut exploded the local art scene, featuring now‑legendary names like Matisse and Duchamp and forever changing what collectors and the public would come to expect from art. Fast‑forward to 2025: still held at the Javits Center, the fair sustains its thrill for bold, boundary‑pushing art—exactly what makes it such a treasure for Architerior’s readers.
What’s New in 2025?
Here’s what’s powering up the fair this year:
- 230+ galleries from over 35 countries showcase modern and contemporary masterpieces—from avant‑garde to accessible.
- Curatorial excitement:
- The Platform section, for grand installations, is curated by Souls Grown Deep—shining a light on Black artists from the American South.
- A fresh Function section explores the overlap of art and design, featuring gallery presentations by Nikita Gale, Cauleen Smith, Ryan Johnson, and the storied Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend.
- Returning stars include Kasmin, Victoria Miro, and Sean Kelly, joined by comeback galleries like White Cube and newcomers such as Megan Mulrooney, Saatchi Yates, and House of Gaga.
As fair director Kyla McMillan puts it, these changes are about “deeper connection and discovery”—a mission that opens up space for new collectors to feel inspired and confident.
Why The Armory Show Matters for New Collectors
The Armory Show isn’t just for seasoned buyers—it’s a playground for curious minds. Here’s why:
- Diverse artistic discovery: Whether you’re drawn to bold installations, mixed media, or design-intersected art, there’s something eye-catching and original around every corner.
- Curated confidence: Sections like Platform, Function, and Focus provide thoughtful frameworks to help you digest the fair’s offerings wisely.
- Gallery conversations simplified: With galleries both familiar and fresh in attendance, you can strike a comfy balance between recognized names and the excitement of discovery.
- Structured variety: Whether you’re browsing solo presentations (Solo section), emerging galleries (Presents), or grand showcases (Platform)—there’s a format that supports learning and exploration.
Architerior’s Top Picks: What’s Not to Miss
Here are three standout artists that caught my eye:
1. Anthony Goicolea (Ron Mandos, Netherlands)
Born in 1971 in Atlanta, Goicolea is a Cuban-American artist whose work explores identity, displacement, and cultural heritage. Using photography, drawing, sculpture, and video, he creates layered works that blur reality and fantasy. His staged self-portraits and eerie landscapes are both unsettling and compelling, touching on themes of alienation and belonging.
2. Steffen Kern (Brandt Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Born in 1988, Germany, Kern transforms pencil and charcoal into cinematic compositions. His drawings—sometimes starkly monochromatic, sometimes vibrantly colored—play with light, shadow, and depth as if drawn inside a darkroom. Inspired by photography yet entirely imagined, his images feel like snapshots from a collective dream.
3. Will Cotton (Templon, USA/France)
Born in 1965, Cotton is beloved for his fantastical candyland paintings. In his studio, he builds confectionary sculptures—gingerbread houses, cake mountains, and chocolate seas—that become the basis for lush figurative paintings. His work probes temptation and indulgence, making utopias that are sweet, seductive, and thought-provoking.
Works by Will Cotton (Templon, USA/France) – The Armory Show 2025
Collecting Tips – Architerior Style
Here’s how to come away feeling like an art-savvy collector:
- Start with curiosity, not intent. Wander freely before setting your sights on something special.
- Embrace the storytellers. Many pieces come with inspiring narratives—that’s your entryway into collecting with meaning.
- Ask gallery teams questions. Most are thrilled to guide newcomers through techniques, artist backgrounds, or price ranges.
- Note what sticks with you. If something resonates—emotionally, aesthetically, or conceptually—that’s a sign of future value.
- Use the fair’s structure. Let curated sections help you navigate rather than wander aimlessly.
Final Takeaway
The Armory Show 2025 is more than an art fair—it’s a launchpad for artistic discovery. Whether you’re here to meet art that vibrates with your soul or to start your own collection, this year’s edition is rich with opportunity.
Stay tuned for more artist interviews, collector insights, and art fair finds here on Architerior — your compass in the world of contemporary collecting.
Enjoy the fair—and may your discoveries be both beautiful and meaningful!