Must-See: Six new galleries at our Amsterdam Fair

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Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam returns this October, showcasing contemporary art from across the globe. Among the highlights are six new galleries introducing cutting-edge artists that should head straight to the top of your must-see list. Check them out below!

Contempo (NL)

Over the past 37 years, Contempo has participated in numerous Dutch art fairs and opened its own gallery in Rotterdam. Mark Slegers and Peter Koopmans carefully select the artists they represent, showcasing works that offer timeless visual power.

For this year’s fair, the gallery will present the work of six artists. Among them, the Rotterdam-based Spanish artist Paco Dalmau uses colour and depth in order to create expressive abstract artworks. His ‘Evolution’ series has clear references to the microscopic world, the elements in it float on the surface of the painting between glazes and fragments of color producing organic shapes.

You’ll also be able to immerse yourself in Jasper van den Ham‘s paintings, which are inspired by his travels and nature. The artist explains: “I give nature a big role in my paintings, in particular trees and plants. Almost like they have their own personalities, formed with multiple layers of colour. It’s not always about a specific location, as sometimes I combine elements from different journeys. They may seem like separate elements, but to me they form an inseparable whole of my memory. I bring non-existent landscapes to life in combinations of memories, in the end the actual locations are not interesting.”

LADS Gallery (JP)

Established in Osaka in 1988, LADS GALLERY is passionate about presenting Japanese abstract and representational contemporary art. They are dedicated to bringing new art to the public, with a current focus on discovering young artists.

You can expect to see some exciting works by emerging artists, including Keiko Aikawa‘s portraits, reflecting ambiguous and uncanny emotions that she encounters daily. And Mai Takeshita who describes her work as following: “My paintings capture the lines and shapes found in my room where I spend most of my day. There are lines and shapes formed naturally, such as laundry baskets randomly stacked on top of each other, backpacks filled with various items, and plants withering in flower vases.”

Also look out for the works by world-renowned Japanese painter, printmaker and installation artist, Tsuyoshi Maekawa, when visiting their stand. Tsuyoshi Maekawa’s techniques include sewing, folding, cutting, tearing, processing, and colouring textiles such as jute, hemp, and cotton. Maekawa explores the performative aspects of art-making, the three-dimensionality of painting, and the creation of works using industrial materials.

Doost Art (IR/NL)

We’re excited to welcome Doost Art to debut at this year’s fair. Founded in Tehran in 2022, Doost Art is a contemporary art space which expanded by opening a second gallery space in Amsterdam in 2023. Their mission is clear: to showcase contemporary art by emerging and established artists, primarily from Iran. The gallery presents works in a diverse range of mediums including paintings, sculptures, installations and more.

Marjan Homayoun, Karim Nasr and Alireza Jahromidoost are just a few of the talented artists whose work will be exhibited on Doost Art’s stand during the fair this October. The gallery’s presentation will predominantly showcase abstract and figurative paintings and drawings created by Iranian artists.

Brita Prinz Arte (ES)

Brita Prinz Arte has had a remarkable journey in the world of prints, having been deeply involved since the late 80s. In 1987, fuelled by a growing passion for printmaking, Brita Prinz founded Galería Brita Prinz in Madrid with her close friend, the artist Jesús Núñez. The gallery introduced an innovative concept at the time as the exhibition spaces combined with workshops and studios, where artists had the opportunity to investigate engraving techniques and later exhibit their work. Today, Brita Prinz Arte aims to inspire new audiences and artists with the beauty and complexity of graphic arts.

Visit their stand to discover works by among others the world renowned Italian sculptor, painter and printmaker Mimmo Paladino, who draws inspiration from both the ancient and the modern, from Egyptian, tribal, and classical images to Modernist painting and sculpture. The artist played a central role in developing the Transavantgarde movement, which sought to bring emotion, figuration, and mysticism back into avant-garde art. 

Ophrys Art Gallery (NL)

Dutch-based Ophrys Art Gallery is more than just a space for contemporary art; it’s a platform for cultural dialogue and understanding, with a mission that goes beyond traditional art curation. They’re committed to breaking down cultural barriers and celebrating diverse stories through contemporary art. The gallery seeks to connect artists from underrepresented regions, such as the South Caucasus and the Middle East, with European artists, uniting them in a single exhibition space.

They will be exhibiting works by talented Azerbaijani artists, from Schachnas Agayeva‘s stylised images of nude women that combine abstraction and figurative symbolism, to Ramal Kazim‘s paintings that incorporate traditional Azerbaijani carpet motifs.

Galerie Post + García  (NL)

Galerie Post + García is a contemporary art gallery that opened in Maastricht back in 2004, founded by experienced gallerists Paloma García and Peter Post. Peter Post has been in the art scene since 1987, running a gallery in Brunssum and participating in international art fairs. Paloma García, from Spain, has long represented an exciting mix of emerging and established European artists.

At the upcoming fair, expect to see paintings by Hans Keuls known for his vibrant use of color and dynamic compositions and Lidia Masllorens‘ portraits, which are painted in black acrylic and then partially removed and washed off with a mixture of water and bleach.

Other new galleries to our Amsterdam fair include All in Gallery (Utrecht/Amsterdam, NL), DÜRVE (Maastricht, NL), Gallery Chez Freddy (Haarlem, NL), Meesters van her Realisme (Oosterhout, NL), Artigas Art Gallery (Barcelona, ES), Atelier Louis (Heist-op-den-Berg, BE), Brussels Art Factory (Brussels, BE), 44309//Gallery (Dortmund, DE) and Galerie le Container (Aix-en-Provence, FR). If you’re on the hunt for new artwork, then head to these fantastic newcomers at our fair this October. It’s a great opportunity to grow your collection and find new favourite artists. 

Overall, we’ll have over 65 Dutch and international galleries to explore at De Kromhouthal, alongside a packed programme. Make sure to secure your tickets!

Header image: Jasper van den Ham, Memories 105, 2024, acrylc on canvas, 29x23cm, €690, Contempo