PARIS.- From April 4 to 7, Art Paris 2019 brings together 150 modern and contemporary art galleries from 20 different countries under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. The fair explores the European art scene from the post-war period to the present day, whilst inviting visitors to discover the new horizons of international creation. The 21st edition has opted for a thematic approach by choosing to showcase women artists from France and Latin America, this year’s guest of honour. Finally, the VIP visits programme illustrates the effervescence of the Parisian scene in spring – a time when the French capital literally becomes the centre of the art world – and highlights the Latin American presence in the City of Light.

A Gaze at Women Artists in France
Curated by AWARE: Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions, 25 specific projects by women artists have been selected from amongst the exhibits of participating galleries offering a critical and subjective overview of the work of women artists in France, from the post-war period to the present day. This selection is declined in four thematics: Abstraction, Feminist Avant-Garde, Image and Theatricality. AWARE has been invited to write a critical essay replacing each artist’s work in the context of Art History.

AWARE: Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions was founded in 2014 by art historian Camille Morineau, whose speciality is women artists. The association aims to create, classify and distribute information about 20th century women artists.

Southern Stars: an exploration of Latin American art
In 2019, Art Paris is setting out to explore Latin American art from the 1960s to the present day. Around twenty European, Asian and Latin American galleries are presenting an ensemble of 60 Argentinean, Brazilian, Chilean, Columbian, Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian and Venezuelan artists. In parallel, other projects such as a video programme, installation artworks, the presentation of a private collection and conferences at the Maison de l’Amérique latine will highlight the creative effervescence that reigns on the continent.

Southern Stars, an exploration of Latin American art is curated by the independent exhibition curator Valentina Locatelli, who is based in Switzerland.

Solo Show: a record-breaking 39 monographic exhibitions
Ever since 2015, Art Paris has been endeavouring to encourage the presentation of monographic exhibitions throughout the fair. The 2019 edition presents a record number of 39 solo shows, compared to thirty-six in 2018, a number that is indicative of the fair’s selection process that incites galleries to present specific, concise projects.

"Promises": supporting young galleries and emerging creativity
"Promises", located in the central part of the Grand Palais, plays host to 14 galleries created less than six years ago. The participating galleries may present no more than three emerging artists. The fair finances 45 % of each gallery’s participation costs.

2019 Selection: Pierre-Yves Caër Gallery (Paris), Francesca Antonini Arte Contemporanea (Rome), H Gallery (Paris), Galerie Hengevoss-Dürkop (Hamburg), Ilex Gallery (Rome), Intervalle (Paris), Galleria Anna Marra (Rome), Matèria (Rome), Galerie Mottet (Chambéry), Raibaudi Wang Gallery (Paris), Galerie Eko Sato (Paris), Shiras Galeria (Valencia), Galerie Younique (Lima).