Introduction: Three Cities — One Mission

The Hamburg fair is making a strong statement this year by featuring a significant number of fresh perspectives. A quarter of the participating galleries are debutants, underscoring the fair's commitment to serving as a springboard for new talent on the German art scene.

Among the most anticipated newcomers is Hamburg's own Galerie von Wegen, which is preparing a powerful presentation including works by Jakob Scheidt. The young artist's large-format, expressive paintings are described as portals to surreal dreamscapes, where gestural abstraction meets figurative clarity.

Also drawing attention is Berlin's BBA Gallery, bringing its international program to Hamburg for the first time. Their booth will feature the critically significant series "Anonymous Women" by photographer Patty Carroll, whose meticulously constructed scenes offer a darkly humorous critique of domesticity and identity.

The international flair is further enhanced by galleries such as Heart & Cherry (Budapest), presenting the geometric-brutalist aesthetics of István Dukai and Bence Magyarlaki's sculptural explorations of the body; MLVA Art Gallery (Brussels), showcasing Degann's delicate ink work and Claire Aguilar's abstract realism; and Japanese spaces Systema Gallery and Emigre Collection, which will bridge cultural divides by bringing a contemplative, material-focused approach from Osaka and Tokyo.

This fusion of new galleries from across Europe and Asia transforms the Hamburg Messe into a dynamic microcosm of the globalized art world.

Meanwhile, the Battersea autumn fair will spotlight the newest graduates from the UK's leading art schools. Curator Jo McLaughlin presents the Graduates Exhibition—a carefully curated snapshot of the most promising talents entering the professional arena.

The selection stands out for its diversity of mediums and themes. It includes Emma Goring (Royal College of Art), whose blown glass works challenge perceptions of fragility and strength; Catherine McColgan (Liverpool University), who merges art and science to explore the human microbiome; and Kristina Haritonova (Glasgow School of Art), whose surreal ceramic sculptures examine themes of migration and identity.

This exhibition is more than just a display; it is an opportunity to invest at the very beginning of an artist's journey. The support from JM Finn through a £5,000 Graduate Award highlights the commercial and critical importance of this platform.

The Affordable Art Fair New York Fall returns on September 17–21, 2025, to the new spacious venue of the Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea. Over 80 local, national, and international galleries will present their programs as part of this large-scale event.

The fair continues to support emerging arts organizations through the Fellowship Program, providing resources, mentorship, and a platform for long-term financial success. In fall 2025, the program supports Harsh Collective and Warnes Contemporary.

The audience-favorite Wonders Under $1,000 section offers a collection of works at accessible prices. A new partnership with the digital platform Cohart revolutionizes how galleries market and sell at the fairs, providing exhibitors with professional tools including tap-to-pay via mobile app, QR artwork cards, automated certificates of authenticity, and promotion to Cohart’s global network of collectors.

The fair features special projects including We Belong by Arts Gowanus—an exhibition dedicated to Brooklyn's diverse roots—and Pieces for Peace by CITYarts, showcasing reproductions of artworks created by youth from around the world.

Though separated by geography and timing, all three fairs are united by a common mission: to democratize the art-buying experience and direct energy and attention toward the next wave of artistic innovation. For those looking to move beyond established names and participate in the early chapters of an artist's story, Hamburg, London, and New York offer three must-visit destinations this autumn.

Your guide to the world of great art, ART EXPO WORLD.
Additional reporting by Marcus Turner