“Clio, the Art World’s Alternative Fair, Returns to New York City”
Clio Art Fair has remained relatively small despite over a decade in operation, but when you enter the Chelsea art show, it doesn’t feel that way. The “anti-fair” returned this week for its second New York City fall edition, showcasing 35 to 40 artists on the 511 West 25th Street ground floor without feeling cluttered.
Alessandro Berni founded the fair in 2014 to provide opportunities for artists outside the traditional circuit to exhibit their work during art fair season. “Clio was born to be small,” says Berni. He highlights that large fairs can tire and desensitize visitors due to their scale.
The fair received more than 500 submissions this year, nearly double from past years. To manage size and still include diverse artists during the spring and fall seasons, Berni split the fair into two editions in May and September. He plans to continue this format going forward.
The fair is unique in featuring independent artists, maintaining affordable prices with artists paying around $1,500 to participate. The fair focuses on presenting works not previously seen in the U.S., featuring artists from around the world.
Clio Art Fair provides an intimate experience, contrasting with the impersonal nature of large fairs. It supports artists who are motivated by an “unshakable inner will,” regardless of wealth and success.
This year’s opening had artists from over 20 countries. Longtime local artists also participated. For example, an Upper West Side artist named Pearl created photo collages showcasing classic NYC architecture. Margaret Koval, based in New Jersey, displayed eerie nighttime landscapes painted on the back of linen canvases, drawing inspiration from digital photography and needlepoint images.
The second edition of Clio Art Fair, running through this weekend, includes artists like South Korean painter Anikoon and LA-based Mary Lai. As the market shifts, Clio is redefining its role, emphasizing artist-centric values perhaps making “anti-fair” not the right term anymore.