To celebrate 40 years of excellence in art, Artexpo New York presented [MAGNIFY] as the curatorial theme for 2018 – examining four decades of artistic expression through a retrospective lens. Thousands of enthusiasts, together with the art world’s international trade and industry leaders, flocked to experience the annual fine art destination and its Three Shows Within One Venue, including [SOLO] and [FOTO SOLO], at the heart of Midtown Manhattan, across 135,000 square feet of uninterrupted convention space. Artexpo New York XL hosted more than 400 innovative exhibiting artists, galleries and publishers from across the globe, showcasing original artwork, prints, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, giclee, lithographs and glass works among other contemporary and fine art. Artexpo New York delivered the largest international gathering of qualified trade buyers—including gallery owners and managers, art dealers, interior designers, architects, corporate art buyers, publishers and art and framing retailers—all of whom returned to enjoy the series of education seminars, cocktail parties, live entertainment and other special events.

“This year’s Artexpo New York went beyond all expectations,” says Eric Smith, President and CEO of Redwood Media Group. ”Some of today’s most diverse and eclectic artists and galleries from more than 51 countries around the world presented every genre of contemporary and fine art imaginable. Two exemplary highlights for me in particular were the magnificent Sculpture Garden and its breathtaking larger-than-life installation known as Victory by Steve Farland of Chairbourne Arts; as well as 40 of the most inspirational emerging talents that formed our Rising Artist Gallery. Many of our exhibitors reported record sales and I personally welcomed a vast number of collectors who returned to the show for a second or third day in a row to purchase additional pieces. We look forward to celebrating our 41st installment of Artexpo New York next year with all of our incredible show partners and patrons.”

Registered trade and industry attendees experienced a double 40-Year celebration for the opening of Artexpo New York at Pier 94. The exclusive Trade First Preview Party took place on Thursday, April 19th, followed by the Opening Night Party on Friday, at which hundreds were entertained by DJ Keith Butler, while sipping on complimentary Louis Jadot wines.

This year’s featured Art Lab installation, located in the [SOLO] exhibition area, was a special presentation created by notable visual artist, Jon Henry – a photographer and alumni of the New York Film Academy. Stranger Fruit showcased a thought-provoking collection of images evoking the artist’s reflection on the black family and community.

This year’s Spotlight Program provided collectors with a focused look at several galleries and prominent artists who created a site-specific exhibition. Spotlight exhibitors for 2018 included Contemply Gallery, and its notable Italian artists Nello Petrucci and Paola Epifani (“Rabarama”), together with the metallic artist Cassidy Watt from Metallo Gallery in New Mexico, the post-Impressionist, Samir Sammoun of Sammoun Fine Art (an Artexpo New York exhibitor for 20+ years) and the Serbian painter of works depicting the Soviet regime, Victor Lysakov of Victor Lysakov Fine Art.

The 2018 Anniversary rendition of [FOTO SOLO] featured fine art photography from some of the world’s coveted abstract, contemporary and realist photographers. This year’s [FOTO SOLO] artists included Adele Venter from South Africa, Alexandra Szebenyik from Hungary, Angela Schapiro from England, Danny Lloyd from New York, Michel Leroy from New York and Riya Sharma from India.

Attendees once again enjoyed an extensive Meet The Artists program of activity during the four days of Artexpo New York, which included live demonstrations in each exhibition booth by the artists themselves.

This year’s comprehensive Topics & Trends Education Program included an extensive series of seminars, moderated panel discussions and lectures, hosted by a group of handpicked leaders from various genres of the arts industry, presented on the show’s main Education Pavilion. Subjects and themes for 2018 included “Nuts And Bolts Of Copyright and Trademark Law,” through to “Making The Internet Work For You.”

The very popular Rising Artist Gallery, showcased more than 40 emerging artists of tomorrow, and the unique Sculpture Garden, proved a popular addition to Artexpo New York XL, containing individual works by the leaders in this field, including “Victory” by Stephen Farland of Chairborne Arts, who presented an immense warrior-like depiction of life emerging from rubble – constructed entirely out of wooden chairs from Poland.

The number of commissions reported throughout the show this year was impressive, as were the gallery placements by [SOLO] and [FOTO SOLO] artists. With overall sales totaling nearly $1 million, here is a brief sampling of highlights from this year’s exhibitor sales:

Chae, Rim from Korea placed several of her metallic landscape sculptures, including Prana and Spring In My Hometown, totaling sales in excess of $60,000. Samir Sammoun of Samir Fine Art – an Artexpo New York exhibitor for more than 20 years – placed 19 of his original oils with prices ranging from $3,500 to $35,000, including Apple Orchard, Champ De Mortade, California and Lavande Et Soleil, Able Fine Art Gallery placed five pieces, including Jean Nak and JJ Marino, totaling sales of $25,000. Smart Publishing placed six paintings and several sculptures, JBIS Contemporaty and artist Jeffrey Basillon, placed five pieces including Adidas Sneakers and Dollar Sign, totaling sales of more than $25,000.

Metallo Gallery and artist Cassidy Watt placed 24 of his unique Remnant Totems, totaling sales of more than $10,000. Gedion Galleries placed All About My Heart and Urban, among several other sculptures. Aneela Fazal placed a total of 11 pieces, totaling sales of more than $25,000. DATG Concept placed more than five pieces, with sales exceeding $50,000.

In addition to the impressive sales at this year’s show, some additional highlights included the popular exhibit by 4 year-old Indian artist, Advait Kolarkar, who presented and sold a number of paintings from his collection entitled “The Color Blizzard.” To-date, Advait has become the youngest artist to exhibit at Artexpo New York. This year’s show saw fashion royalty, with a rare appearance by the renowned designer, Carolina Herrera, who was welcomed with her husband by President and CEO of Redwood Media Group, Eric Smith, before walking the exhibition floor and honoring her invitation by the owner of South Florida Arts.

On Friday, April 20th, Art Brand Studios presented the unveiling of Light Of Hope to benefit The Alzheimer's Foundation Of America. Acclaimed artist Blend Cota announced a collaboration to benefit the foundation, whereby a unique painting was revealed in his singular style, known as Colorism, depicting the Empire State Building. For Blend, the battle against Alzheimer’s has been personal, after his mother died from complications of Alzheimer’s at the young age of 55. All proceeds from Light of Hope benefited AFA and its mission to deliver compassionate care to patients and support to caregivers.