EXPO CHICAGO is redefining its role in the international art scene with a new balance of local and global influence, as it strengthens its ties with Kiaf while reaffirming its commitment to supporting Chicago’s cultural ecosystem.
EXPO CHICAGO‘s Frieze-Era Shift: Tony Karman Discusses the Fair’s Expanding Local and Global Influence
For its 12th edition, EXPO CHICAGO is strengthening its global ties via a collaboration with Kiaf while reaffirming its longstanding commitment to supporting the city’s cultural ecosystem.
Expo Chicago is a leading international art and design fair held annually in Chicago, Illinois.
The event showcases contemporary and modern art, as well as innovative designs from around the world.
With over 160 galleries participating, Expo Chicago attracts art collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts alike.
The fair features a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations.
In addition to artwork, Expo Chicago also highlights cutting-edge design, with furniture, lighting, and textiles on display.
A Catalyst for Chicago’s Cultural Revival
In the 1980s, Chicago became one of the first cities in the U.S. to have its own major art fair, first with the Chicago International Art Exposition and later with Art Chicago. However, it was the launch of EXPO CHICAGO by president and director Tony Karman that truly transformed the fair into a high-voltage catalyst for the city’s cultural revival, staking Chicago‘s claim as a player on the international art circuit.
Tony Karman is a Hungarian-born American businessman and entrepreneur.
He is the founder of TCF Centre (formerly known as Cobo Hall), one of the largest convention centers in North America, located in Detroit, Michigan.
Karman has been instrumental in revitalizing the city's downtown area through various business initiatives.
Under his leadership, the TCF Centre has undergone significant renovations and expansions, solidifying its position as a premier event space.
Expanding Local and Global Influence
Now in its twelfth edition (its second under Frieze), EXPO CHICAGO returns to Navy Pier from April 24 to 27 with more than 170 exhibitors from 36 countries and 93 cities. Ahead of this year’s fair, Observer spoke with Tony Karman—EXPO CHICAGO‘s founding force, who has been behind its rise since 2012.
Karman emphasizes the local cultural and artistic ecosystem as a focus of the fair, stating that ‘we work very closely with all of our institutions, galleries, artists with studios here, as well as nonprofit organizations, to ensure that, during Art Week, the entire city and cultural community are engaged.‘ This engagement brings in local audiences while allowing collectors, curators, galleries, and other professionals coming from outside of the city to experience the Chicago art scene.
A Global Collaboration
One of the major highlights of this year’s edition is the new collaboration with Kiaf and the Korean Art Dealers Association that will bring twenty leading Korean galleries to the fair. This partnership marks a natural progression of a long history of Korean galleries participating in Chicago art fairs in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.
Kiaf refers to the Korea International Art Fair, a prominent art exhibition held annually in Seoul, South Korea.
Established in 2001, it has become one of Asia's largest and most influential art fairs.
The event showcases a diverse range of contemporary art from local and international artists, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and digital media.
Kiaf attracts art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals alike, providing a platform for artistic exchange and cultural dialogue.
Tony Karman notes that ‘it’s a great partnership‘ and highlights the collaboration as a manifestation of the strong existing relationship between Frieze and Kiaf. The partnership extends to an entire program around the collaboration, including a great panel and installations by Korean artists as part of the ‘IN/SITU’ section.
Curated Sections
EXPO CHICAGO will feature three curated sections this year. A new addition to the program is ‘CONTRAST,’ curated by Lauren Haynes, head curator of Governors Island Arts and vice president for arts and culture at the Trust for Governors Island. This section will explore contrasts in culture, identity, and experience through presentations from eight galleries.
Pippy Houldsworth Gallery will feature a series of new paintings by Chicago-based Kenyan artist Wangari Mathenge, inspired by Kenya’s Kikuyu culture, history, and language. Meanwhile, Jenkins Johnson Gallery will pair artist and cultural ambassador Dr. Esther Mahlangu‘s paintings with pseudo-abstract organic fiber sculptures by Nnenna Okore.
Emerging Artists
The ‘EXPOSURE‘ section, curated by Rosario Güiraldes, will feature solo and two-artist presentations from galleries ten years old and younger. One of the highlights will be the solo booth by Jamaican artist Simon Benjamin, who recently entered the collection of the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
A Global Platform
Outside of the booths, the Directors Summit and the Curatorial Forum remain key programming initiatives of EXPO CHICAGO. Karman expresses his satisfaction with the collaboration with Frieze, stating that it has brought a positive impact to the organization in all aspects, from programming and production to VIP outreach and event management.
The new opportunities offered by this chapter under Frieze align with Karman’s priorities for EXPO CHICAGO‘s future. His plan is to fully leverage the extraordinary platform that Frieze offers to broaden his fair’s international audience while it continues to grow locally.
