STOCKHOLM.- Stockholm's contemporary art scene has been fundamentally reshaped since the launch of Market Art Fair, establishing the city as a major international art destination. Once insular, the scene now features robust global connections, supported by a proliferation of new museums and commercial galleries—many of which were founded within the last five years—and a growing base of sophisticated collectors. Notably, Stockholm ranks second globally in unicorn startups per capita, trailing only Silicon Valley, making this segment a particularly strong force in the city's art market development.

For its landmark 20th anniversary, the fair marks a significant evolution by moving to Magasin 9 in Frihamnen. This historic waterfront location is a rising nexus for creativity and commerce, signaling a bold new chapter for the fair. Frihamnen’s creative community will be especially active during Market Art Fair, with several local businesses and spaces hosting special programmes. This includes two major Scandinavian design hubs, Jackson Design and Nordiska Galleriet, with the latter featuring an exhibition curated by Lucky Strike—a platform specialising in the intersection of contemporary art and music.

Gallery presentations 2026

Market Art Fair 2026 will highlight the Nordic art market's strength and dynamism, bringing together 54 galleries from eight countries and showcasing the work of over 150 artists. The participating galleries were again selected by a committee of seasoned Nordic museum directors and curators, chaired by Lars Nittve, director emeritus and founder of Tate Modern.

The fair will feature a diverse lineup, combining established Nordic galleries such as i8 (IS), Galerie Nordenhake (SE/DE/MX), Galleri Nicolai Wallner (DK), OSL contemporary (NO), and Galerie Forsblom (FI), with a newer generation of spaces, including 11 galleries established since 2020.

The region’s youngest participants include several galleries already gaining in recognition at international fairs beyond the Nordic shores, such as Wilson Saplana Gallery (DK), palace enterprise (DK) and Coulisse Gallery (SE). The latter's eye-catching Frieze London 2025 presentation featured Polish artist Rafal Zajko, whose multicolored sculptural work explored the evolving nature of the siren, and notably included the fantastical performance sculpture, Amber Chamber III (Echo).

Reflecting the recognized potential of the Nordic art market, the fair will build on the successful inclusion of international participants from last year. First-time exhibitors in this category include Anthony Wilkinson Gallery (UK) and albertz benda (US) with the latter presenting the Swedish-Gambian painter Rugiyatou Ylva Jallow. Also participating for the first time is Ross-Sutton Gallery (US/SE). The gallery, which recently expanded its presence to Stockholm alongside its New York space, will present a group exhibition, featuring works by Amoako Boafo (Ghana), Rita Mawuena Benissan (Ghana), Buqaqawuli Nobakada (South Africa), and Turiya Magadlela (South Africa), among others.

Must-sees at Market Art Fair 2026

• Olafur Eliasson: Olafur Eliasson's new artworks explore growth, transformation, and chance through organic and structured forms, pursuing his interests in colour, light, and geometry. The exhibition features new paintings, including those using alcohol inks for unpredictability, a compass work, and a prominent sculpture. The sculpture is composed of stackable, space-filling modules of recycled zinc, inspired by crystal growth. As the structure rises, increasing disorder in the stacking creates coral-like tendrils reaching for the ceiling, reflecting years of mathematical research. | i8 (IS)

• Inuuteq Storch: intimate snapshots of daily life in Greenland offer a poignant counterpoint to the Arctic’s climatic and geopolitical tensions | Wilson Sapplana (DK)

• Benjamin Orlow: a new sculpture by this London-based artist who is one of the three artists representing the Nordic Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale | Season 4 Episode 6 (UK)

• Arvida Byström (SE): an immersive environment, reflecting the breadth and depth of this multidisciplinary artist who shot to fame in 2023-2024 for In The Clouds which saw her create and sell uncanny AI nude selfies. Known for using a hyper-feminine aesthetic to examine how the internet, new technologies, and economic structures are redefining identity and the body, her photography, performances, and sculptures have been shown in various international institutions, including the V&A and Tate. | Gallery Steinsland Berliner (SE)

• Munan Øvrelid: Øvrelid cleverly stitches art-historical references into complex combinations of two- and three-dimensional spaces. His detailed paintings are characterised by technically demanding, old-masterly figuration. | Galleri Haaken (NO)

• Mats Gustafson: For fashion enthusiasts, the artist and illustrator Mats Gustafson is a well-known name. At the fair, his drawings for Dior are shown alongside works inspired by the Nordic landscape. Gustafson’s work is currently featured in Nordic Noir: works on paper from Edvard Munch to Mamma Anderson at the British Museum and has been acquired for the museum’s permanent collection. | CFHILL (SE)

• Miroslaw Balka and Ann Edholm: The Polish sculptor will be in dialogue with the Swedish painter. Both artists are recognized for their exploration of subject matter rooted in personal and collective memory, particularly through the investigation of domestic memory and European tragedy. | Galerie Nordenhake (SE/DE/MX)

• Chelsea Flower Show: A curated booth drawing parallels between the famous flower show and an art fair as events balancing exhibition, commerce, social gathering, and aesthetics, while navigating sustainability and showmanship. Artists Isabella Ducrot, Sally J Han, and Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg welcome spring with flowers and plants. | Belenius (SE)

• To celebrate Market Art Fair’s history, several presentations will reflect on past editions. For example, Galleri Bo Bjerggaard (DK)—a founder of the fair and a participant in all twenty editions—is showcasing a group exhibition which will include Tal R, John Kørner, and Per Kirkeby, who have previously shown their work at the fair.