New York: fresh energy from new buyers
The 2025 New York art fair has proven that the market still holds surprises. Seventy-five percent of buyers were newcomers, stepping into the world of collecting for the first time. Galleries reported near sell-outs, while institutions and museums actively joined the acquisitions. Although the ultra-high-end segment shows signs of slowing, the mid-range market and first-time buyers are driving growth and injecting fresh energy into the scene.
Giessen: playing with softness and hardness
At Kunsthalle Gießen, the exhibition Hardest Kinds of Soft explores the tension between softness and hardness, both materially and conceptually. Artists Céline Ducrot and Cathrin Hoffmann create sculptures and installations that challenge our perception of physicality, body, and matter. Curated by Nadia Ismail, the show is a reminder that contemporary art thrives on contrasts and constantly redefines the boundaries of sensory experience.
Cape Town: Stern & Tretchikoff under the hammer
Meanwhile in South Africa, Strauss & Co is preparing its September auction with major highlights: works by Irma Stern and Vladimir Tretchikoff, expected to reach up to R6 million (about USD 340,000). Among them is Tretchikoff’s iconic Malay Girl, alongside works by Pierneef, Sekoto, and contemporary figures such as William Kentridge and Pieter Hugo. This auction is more than a sales event—it is a dialogue between South Africa’s artistic past and present.
Conclusion
From New York to Giessen to Cape Town, recent art events reveal a market that is diversifying and adapting. It welcomes new collectors, embraces both tradition and experimentation, and remains distinctly global. Art continues to be a space of dialogue, investment, and cultural exploration—dynamic and unpredictable as ever.