Hidden Treasures at Frieze New York: Works by Black Artists

NEW YORK—The Frieze New York art fair was staged in an enormous white tent with endless aisles where booth after booth featured the latest in contemporary art, but few works by black artists. It took some effort, but after visiting the exhibition spaces of more than 180 galleries from around the world, works by the likes of Kara Walker, Rashid Johnson, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Kerry James Marshall and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, were spotted. A selection is featured below.

All photos © Arts Observer

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Detail of “Soundsuit,” 2011 (mixed media including fabric vintage toys, seesaw and mannequin) by Nick Cave at Jack Shainman of New York.

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Installation view of “Untitled,” 1993 (ink, watercolor, gouache) set of six works by Kara Walker at Sikkema Jenkins of New York.

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Detail of “Untitled” set of six works by Kara Walker.

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“Poupees Pascale,” 2010 (crystal, mixed media) by Pascale Marthine Tayou at Galleria Continua.

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“Untitled Branded Shea Butter Rug,” 2013 (branded Persian rug, black soap, wax, shea butter) by Rashid Johnson at Hauser & Wirth of New York.

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Three works: “Untitled (Stono Drawing),” all 2012 (watercolor and ink on paper) by Kerry James Marshall at Jack Shainman of New York.

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“Self Portrait (after Warhol) 5,” 2013 (screen print, digital print and hand-painted linen) by Yinka Shonibare MBE at Stephen Friedman Gallery of London.

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Detail of “Untitled (Ebony and Jet 3),” six works by Lorna Simpson.

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Installation view of “Untitled (Ebony and Jet 2)” and “Untitled (Ebony and Jet 3),” both 2012-13 (six works each, collage and ink on paper) by Lorna Simpson at Salon 94 of New York.

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From left, (obscured) “Abraham Lincoln,” 2010-11; “Le rreres Wright,” 2010-11; “Milan (perruque architecture),” 2006; “Milan 2 (perruque architecture)”; and “Fela Kuti,” 2010-11 (all braided artificial hair and mixed media) by Meschac Gaba at In Situ/Fabienne LeClerc of Paris.

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Detail of “Underlife,” 2013 (oil on canvas) by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at Jack Shainman Gallery of New York.

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“Soundsuit,” 2011 (mixed media including fabric vintage toys, seesaw and mannequin) by Nick Cave, with three oil on canvas works by Lynette Yaidom-Boakye in the background at Jack Shainman Gallery of New York.

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