“New York City’s Art Exhibit Offers Intimate and Personal Experiences with Featured Works”
**An Artistic Affair: The 36th Edition of The Art Show at Park Avenue Armory**
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 36th edition of *The Art Show*, presented by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) at the grand Park Avenue Armory in New York City. As one of the most prominent art fairs in the US, *The Art Show* is not just an exhibition but a celebration of artistic diversity, representing a wide array of galleries and artists, all while supporting the Henry Street Settlement—a vital aid organization dedicated to assisting the residents of Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
The event, continuing through November 2, hosted a curated lineup of 75 galleries on the showroom’s first floor, with many booths dedicating space to solo artist presentations. While my visit wasn’t during the bustling opening night limelight, it was still a rich sensory experience, filled with diverse art forms and expressions.
### Wandering the Art Aisles: A Quiet Escape from the World
Entering the vast, fabric-lined show space, I was instantly struck by the tranquility and openness of the fair, a remarkable contrast to New York City’s frenzied streets. Despite the weight of the upcoming election, the middle-of-the-day crowd felt relaxed and quietly eager to immerse themselves in art. The show’s layout, with airy aisles and distinct booths, was intentional—designed to give attendees the opportunity to connect with the art and move through the space with unhurried contemplation.
What immediately caught my eye was the prominence of small-scale hyperrealism. Artists focused on minuscule paintings and fine detail, turning everyday life into something captivating. While sipping a cappuccino near the Two Palms booth, I was drawn to the bright pink backdrop supporting Katherine Bernhardt’s work, a matrix where color and form caught the eyes of everyone passing by.
### The Rise of Intimacy and the Allure of Small Works
There seems to be a trend this year: people are gravitating toward the small and hyperreal. I wasn’t alone in making this observation; Todd Hosfelt, of Hosfelt Gallery, vocalized the sentiment when I stopped to chat about the art on display. His gallery showcased a series of intimate oil paintings by Tim Hawkinson. Depicting mundane yet touching scenes—Hawkinson drinking from a fountain at a museum, or his father asleep on a plane—these artworks showcased a striking mix of realism and surrealism, as viewers remarked on their incredible detail and perspective.
Hosfelt attributed the prevalence of these detailed miniature pieces to a collective “desire for intimacy.” With the uncertainty and isolation of recent global events, many people are leaning towards artworks that capture intimate moments, framed in familiar, everyday settings.
This theme of small-scale hyperrealism repeated itself across several booths. At Nancy Hoffman Gallery, Lucy Mackenzie’s oil on board still-life paintings were mesmerizing. Miniature in size yet monumental in their focus on detail, each work could take up to six months to complete, marking a profound dedication to artistic craft. Meanwhile, at the Charles Moffett Gallery, making its debut at *The Art Show* this year, C’naan Hamburger’s delicate renditions of New York City scenes in egg tempera were quickly gaining attention, with the gallery reporting that all of Hamburger’s works had sold out by the second day of the fair.
### A Moment of Control Amidst Chaos
The appeal of such miniature works goes beyond simple aesthetics. In a world shaken by uncontrollable chaos, small, finely detailed works provide a sense of control—for both creators and viewers alike. Miniature artist Margie Criner once remarked, “We can’t really control very much in our long lives, but if I can control four square inches for a day, I somehow feel a little better.” This relatable sentiment seemed to echo throughout the fair, as attendees and gallery staff alike spoke to the allure of carefully composed, tight compositions in an era of unpredictability.
### Expansive personalities, Uncontainable Art
Still, while the charms of hyperrealism and miniaturism were well-represented, not all artists adhered to the confines of small formats. George Adams Gallery featured the towering, playful works of M. Louise “Lulu” Stanley, which dominated the booth alongside Elisa D’Arrigo’s glazed ceramics. Stanley’s acrylic paintings embraced grand stories, often featuring elements of mythology and classical themes with a humorous and modern twist. Chatting with Stanley herself, I recognized her passion for both art and teaching. During the exhibition’s preview, she captivated a crowd, turning the gallery space into an impromptu classroom, walking viewers through the rich symbolism in each of her paintings.
### Broader Themes and New Initiatives at The Art Show
Beyond the intimate and expansive, the fair offered an eclectic variety of art, from geometric abstraction to portraits both historical and contemporary. Many galleries took deliberate steps to merge the past with the