Exploring TEFAF New York: A Guide to Must-See Art and Activities

TEFAF, or The European Fine Art Foundation, hosts two international art fairs every year, with one taking place in March in Maastricht, Netherlands, and another taking place in May in New York City. While the TEFAF fair in Maastricht showcases a variety of different works of art from all periods, the fair in New York City focuses on modern and contemporary art and design. If you are into art from ancient periods, though, do not worry, as there is a small selection of ancient art and photography displayed within the fair. Nevertheless, the TEFAF fair in New York is a chance for art collectors, curators, historians, and enthusiasts to glance at the world's premier collection of modern and contemporary art. 

At this year's 2024 fair, TEFAF revealed 37 works of modern art, including but not limited to jewelry, antiquities, and interior design decor and art. The sheer diversity and pedigree of the art displayed at TEFAF bring together some of the world's most distinguished members of the international art scene. 

Held at the Park Avenue Armory, this year's TEFAF opens on an invitation-only basis on May 9th and is then open to the public from Friday, May 10–Monday, May 14. The hours and ticket prices are listed on the organization's official website.

If you are new to the art world, you may be wondering how to go about visiting the 2024 TEFAF fair, or if you are versed in all things TEFAF, a quick fill-in on the latest happenings may be what you need. Whatever it may be, we have your back, as below we will list some must-see programming and exhibitions at TEFAF. 

If conservation is what interests you, this program, which explores and discusses the field of conservation, is extremely beneficial. In collaboration with the International Council of Museums, this program talks about the conservation of Pietro Francavilla’s Venus with a Nymph and Satyr (1600), an effort made by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and what goes into aspects of art conservation like restoration funding and education. 

This chat will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST at the Veterans Room. 

While niche, this talk may prove to be very interesting as it talks about the practice of ceramic restoration. This program is a part of TEFAF’s Meet the Experts series where the expert for this chat is Adrian Sassoon, a curator who has been studying, collecting, and curating art for more than four decades. Sassoon will be discussing the work of artist and ceramic restorer Bouke de Vries who repurposed his broken and damaged collection of fine antique ceramics into sculptures. 

This chat will take place on Monday, May 13, 2024, from 3:00 pm-3:30 pm EST at Stand 374. 

Gagosian is one of the leading global art galleries in the world, with gallery locations in New York, London, Paris, Rome, and more. The storied gallery hosts the work of many acclaimed artists, such as Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, and Rick Lowe. If you'd like to view an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, you're in luck, as Gagosian is one of the many exhibitors displaying their work at TEFAF. 

With its reputation for exhibiting highly regarded artists and coordinating exhibitions with famous museums, Sean Kelly Gallery is recognizable for displaying an array of intellectually driven pieces that challenge the standards of contemporary art. Some artists they represent include Anthony Akinbola, Liu Wei, and Mariko Mori. 

If you'd want to stray away from art for a bit, several exhibitors are also displaying jewelry. Ana Khouri, a Brazilian jewelry designer plays with sculptural patterns and designs when creating her jewelry. Khouri officially launched a namesake brand in 2013 and since then has been celebrated for creating pieces that are equal parts contemporary and traditional. Her pieces were recently seen on Linda Evangelista, Chloë Sevigny at the 2024 Met Gala.