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A textured artwork features geometric patterns in shades of dark blue, green, and white, resembling an abstract forest landscape.

2023 Expo Chicago Highlights

The fair brings the best of the art world to Chicago

The international contemporary and modern art fair, EXPO Chicago, took over the city from April 13-16 with the main fair at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, and satellite fairs, offsite programs, and other art events lit the city up with incredible art, creative energy, and maybe a few late-night dance parties. EXPO showcases leading and emerging galleries and is also a platform for inspiring curated dialogues around art, equity, community, institutions, and the transformative power of creativity.

This year’s EXPO shared a global lens on art with international galleries showing work from Bogota to Beijing alongside galleries and work from all over the U.S.. Chicago is home to an incredibly vibrant art community, with an exciting lead-up to EXPO featuring Southside galleries and spaces with openings at University of Chicago’s Washington Park Arts Incubator, the Southside Community Art Center, Blanc Gallery, and others.

Here we share some of our favorite works and spaces seen at the Navy Pier. Inspired by the materiality and incredible craftsmanship as well as transformative ideas and new perspectives.

The Hole NYC, New York
Jackie Head, “Waterfall,” (2023), colored porcelain on painted wall
Image below courtesy of Yasmin Spiro

A textured wall art installation features layered, organic shapes in varying shades of blue, creating a gradient effect from dark to light.

Maximilian William, London
Anina Major, “Serenity and Reverence,” Glazed stoneware
Image below courtesy of Yasmin Spiro

Maxmillam wideedit

Chambers Fine Art, New York
Fu Xiaotong, “518,600 Pinpricks-Sacred Mountain,” (2015), handmade paper
Image below courtesy of Chambers Fine Art

A softly textured mountain range is depicted in light tones, blending into a pale background, evoking a serene, minimalist landscape.

TERN Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas
Leasho Johnson, "Buried beyond the pasture without any names (Anansi #22)," (2023), charcoal, distemper, watercolor, indigo dye, logwood dye, acrylic, oil, oil stick, gold foil, gold leaf, gesso on paper mounted on canvas
Image below courtesy of Yasmin Spiro

An abstract artwork featuring vibrant colors and distorted figures amid chaotic shapes and lines on a dark background.

Instituto de Visión, Bogota, Colombia and New York
Cristina Camacho, “Heavy Breathing,” (2022), acrylic and flash on canvas
Image below courtesy of Yasmin Spiro

Institutio wide

AMFM, Chicago
Kelvin Kweku Haizel, “Mushrooms in the Sky,” (2022), altered photography
Image below courtesy of Yasmin Spiro

Collage artwork featuring a mix of floral imagery, abstract shapes, and a central blank area against a deep blue background.

Artadia, online gallery
Selva Aparacio, “Auto-da-Fé (Act of Faith)_3”, (2021/23), found teddy bear, dandelion seeds

Azadeh Gholizadeh, “Viridian,” (2023), tapestry on canvas mesh

Maryam Taghavi, “Hhhh,” (2021), wood, laser-cut cardstock

A woolly, plush elephant sculpture is seated, showing a textured surface in soft shades of gray and beige against a neutral background.
Selva Aparacio, “Auto-da-Fé (Act of Faith)_3”, (2021/23), found teddy bear, dandelion seeds
Image courtesy of Artadia
Abstract artwork featuring layered textures and hues of green, blue, and black, creating a forest-like pattern. It captivates viewers with its depth.
Azadeh Gholizadeh, “Viridian,” (2023), tapestry on canvas mesh
Image courtesy of Artadia
Two wooden tables, one above the other, feature cut-out shapes filled with reflective material, creating an artistic effect.
Maryam Taghavi, “Hhhh,” (2021), wood, laser-cut cardstock
Image courtesy of Yasmin Spiro
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