‘The struggle creates genius’: as it grows and matures, Atlanta Art Fair spotlights the city’s hard-working artists
The fair’s third edition, its largest yet, saw a bevy of sales in its opening hours, primarily in the four- and five-figure range
The Atlanta Art Fair, in its largest edition yet, showcased a diverse array of artwork at its VIP preview on October 1st at Pullman Yards. The fair featured works from 83 exhibitors, including mixed media pieces, painted puzzles, and pop culture icons. Renowned artists, such as Esther Mahlangu from South Africa and Rafael Domenech from New York, were also represented.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the city's resilience and enthusiasm for the arts were evident, with local artists like Charity Hamidullah and Christopher James McAdoo expressing pride in Atlanta's talent pool. The fair's artistic director, Nato Thompson, noted the vibrant, Pop-inflected styles present in the exhibited works.
Despite some skepticism surrounding the city's collector base, dealers reported strong sales on the first night of the fair. Collectors from New York, Memphis, and Los Angeles showed interest in various pieces, including a quilted "truck butt" priced at $6,000 and a sculpture by Briena Harmening for $2,800. The success of the fair led to increased involvement from galleries in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Kingston, Jamaica, and Wisconsin.
The event highlighted the collaborative spirit of Atlanta's art community and its resilience in the face of adversity, with artists and dealers hoping that the fair will help build a larger collector base for local artists.
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