Highlights of ART COLOGNE 2023

The oldest art fair of the world has become even more attractive for international and local galleries. This is shown by the list of exhibitors at first glance.

Gilbert & George, YOUNG, 1983

We’re thrilled to announce the return of renowned international galleries to ART COLOGNE, which takes place from November 16 to 19, 2023.

Notable participants include Peter Kilchmann from Zurich, showcasing works by Mexico City-based photo and action artist Francis Alÿs, who is set to receive the prestigious Wolfgang Hahn Prize this year. Andersen’s from Copenhagen is also returning, featuring installations by Tomás Saraceno. Hailing from Sydney, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, a prominent hub for contemporary art in Australia since the 1980s, is coming back to Cologne, having last exhibited there in 2019 before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

A robust representation of galleries from Austria

The confirmations validate the strategic decision made last year to permanently hold the world’s oldest art fair in November. Fair director Daniel Hug says this move has proven highly effective in enhancing ART COLOGNE's appeal to both international and local galleries.

Hug is particularly pleased that this year’s edition sees a robust representation of galleries from Austria, including newcomers Layr, Meyer*Kainer, Charim, and Exile from Vienna. They are accompanied by returning participants such as Christine König, Krobath, Konzett, Nächst St. Stephan, Panarte, Gregor Podnar, Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman, WK-Wienerroither & Kohlbacher, and Wonnerth Dejaco—all from Vienna. Additionally, the illustrious Thaddaeus Ropac gallery (Salzburg/Paris/London/Seoul), which his celebrating its 40th anniversary, has a significant international presence.

A German rediscovery from England

Making its Cologne debut is suns.works from Zurich, collaborating with JUBG from Cologne to curate a unique solo exhibition in the COLLABORATIONS sector, dedicated to the Jamaican musician, music producer, and artist Lee “Scratch” Perry (1936 – 2021). Perry’s profound influence on reggae during the 1970s and his co-invention of the dub musical style will be highlighted.

In the NEUMARKT sector, the Josey Gallery from Norwich, England, is spotlighting paintings by Elke Denda. Born in Oberhausen in 1956, Denda gained acclaim in the 1980s art market with her serial, geometric-abstract paintings. After successful solo exhibitions at Rüdiger Schöttle in Munich and Johnen & Schöttle in Cologne, her prominence waned in recent decades. But a potential resurgence, perhaps triggered by a connection with a young English gallery, could be underway.

Upholding the tradition of building a bridge from the Bosporus to Cologne, Turkish galleries will debut strongly at ART COLOGNE 2023. Among them, Anna Laudel, with galleries in Istanbul and Düsseldorf, stands out. Sevil Dolmaci, an integral figure in the Turkish art scene as an art advisor for the esteemed Kabakci Collection, also makes her fair debut with the gallery she launched in Istanbul in 2021.

You can find the complete exhibitor list of ART COLOGNE here.