Art Chicago turns 30 this year. Once the preeminent art fair in the US, Art Chicago has seen its position usurped over the past decade by the Armory Show in New York and Art Basel Miami Beach, the American version of venerable Art Basel. But, since being acquired by Merchandise Mart Properties Inc in 2006, the “Windy City” show has been making an impressive comeback. Under the umbrella of Artropolis, which includes NEXT, showing emerging artists, and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, covering 20th century design and nearly everything else that’s collectible, the 2010 edition of Art Chicago features 150 galleries, exhibiting modern and contemporary art, from 55 cities around the world. Click through to view our own gallery of favorites.
Power players, including Rhona Hoffman Gallery, White Cube, Haunch of Venison, Rena Bransten Gallery, and Nyehaus, are represented, as well as non-profit arts organizations, such as amfAR, the Aperture Foundation, and the International Sculpture Center. Meanwhile, special exhibitions round up artists exploring social and political ideas, works that are emblematic of major movements and developments in American art, and a presentation of 27 large-scale sculptures in the interior and exterior public spaces of the Merchandise Mart. Along with panels discussions, visits to private collections, and gallery openings and museum receptions throughout the city, Art Chicago, which runs from April 30 to May 3, is edging its way back to the top.
Laurie Hogin, Head of a Denizen, 2007. Etching and chine colle, 11 x 15 inch. Courtesy Anchor Graphics, Chicago.
Chuck Close, Self-Portrait, 2009. Jacquard tapestry, 103 x 79 inch. Courtesy Contessa Gallery, Cleveland.
Ed Hodgkinson, Pastellturkis SG 2010, 2010. Enamel on aluminum, 114 x 88 cm. Courtesy Mark Jason Gallery, London.
Karl Wirsum, Shoestring Query Can’t Beggars Be Shoe-Z, 2006. Acrylic on canvas, 44 x 38 inch. Courtesy Jean Albano Gallery, Chicago.
Jane Maxwell, Our Pick, 2010. Mixed media on panel with resin finish, 36 x 36 inch. Courtesy Gilman Contemporary, Ketchum.
Alex Katz, Anne, 1990. Screenprint on cut aluminum, 68 x 24 1/2 inch. Courtesy Nikola Rukaj Gallery, Toronto.
Hung Liu, Fantasy III, 2009. Mixed media, 41 x 60 inch. Courtesy Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York.
Lillian Bassman, Fantasy on The Dance Floor, Barbara Mullen, 1949. Gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inch. Courtesy Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica.
Marilyn Minter, Crisco, 2002. C-print, 16 x 20 inch. Courtesy amfAR, New York.
Qi Zhilong, China Girl 1, 2009. Twenty-three color Ukiyo-e style woodcut, edition of 48, 21 3/8 x 16 inch. Courtesy Pace Prints, New York.
Cheryl Ekstrom, Small Bean Bag, 2009. Cast stainless steel, 24 x 28 inch. Courtesy Patrajdas Contemporary, Chicago.
Nicola López, Urban Transformation #1, 2009. Etching, lithography, woodcut, and collage, 30 x 30 inch with hand-cut variable edges. Courtesy Tandem Press, Madison.