NEW YORK, NY.- FLUX Art Fair, taking place in Harlem’s historic Corn Exchange building on May 14-17th, today announced an exciting line-up of exhibitors and cultural partners for its premiere. The only contemporary art fair mounted in the neighborhood, FLUX Art Fair embodies Harlem’s rich cultural community and creative spirit by bringing together original works from over 50 innovative and progressive international artists representing over a dozen countries.
This year’s show, which focuses on the theme of the 21st century artist as a nomad, will present two exhibition platforms – those being presented by guest curators (FLUX-X) and those selected through a juried process.
A roster of renowned independent guest curators each invited one artist to exhibit significant signature works for FLUX-X. This diverse group includes Brooklyn-based Sol Sax (presented by Danny Simmons), Cuban-born Carlos Rodriguez-Cardenas (invited by Rachel Weingeist), Iranian artist Shahram Entekhabi (invited by Raul Zamudio), New Jersey’s Willie Cole (invited by Roger C. Tucker III), Bronx-born Michael Anderson (presented by Kristin Sancken), New Yorker Heather Hart (presented by David C. Terry), Liberian D.H. Caranda Martin (presented by Omo Misha) and East Harlem-based Jose Rodriguez (presented by Rasu Jilani).
The Fair’s selection committee—comprised of guest curators (FLUX-X), No Longer Empty’s Chief Curator Manon Slome, and led by Fair Founder and Director Leanne Stella—chose more than 20 emerging artists from hundreds of applications. The hand-picked artists working in a wide range of media –from installation and sculpture to painting and photography-- include several Harlembased artists such as Capucine Bourcart, Paul Deo, Alexis Duque, Ivan Forde, Juan Luna, Tomo Mori, Leah Poller, Anne Pomponio, Lina Puerta, Makeba Rainey, David Shrobe, Jocelyn Shu, Stan Squirewell, Danielle Siegelbaum, Diane Smith, Ming Smith, Suprina, TAFA, and LeRone Wilson. Rounding out the list are artists from the U.S. and abroad: Carlos Arturo Arias, Christophe Avella Bagur, Angelo Bellobono, Anthony Boone, Ai Campbell, Linda Cunningham, Dominant Dansby, Uday Dhar, Ula Einstein, Ellen Hackl Fagan, Shaunte Gates, Musa Hixson, Coby Kennedy, Ya La'ford, Nolan Lem, Ibou Ndoye, Sui Park, Thabiso Phokompe, John Pinderhughes, Jeffrey Allen Price, Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Elio Rodriguez, Aya Rodriguez-Izumi, Margaret Roleke, Bayeté Ross Smith, Ivan Stojakovic, Bobbi Van, and Andre Woolery.
“One of the most important things a curator can do is to present emerging artists alongside big names,” says Guest Curator Kristen Sancken. “In so doing, it inserts their work into a larger discourse and provides them with greater exposure – thereby opening up new opportunities. I’m proud to be a part of the FLUX Art Fair and what we are doing to represent both groups in a significant way.”
“FRIEZE international arts week is the perfect time and Harlem is the perfect place to launch FLUX Art Fair,” says Stella. “The Fair will provide a sense of discovery and the kind of experience for which collectors yearn. We hope everyone will come visit FLUX to find new artists and see experimental works and, while in the area, also take time to explore the fabulous cultural and culinary activities that will be presented that weekend by our Harlem neighbor, Marcus Samuelsson and his Harlem EatUp! team.”
