Founded in 1994, Artissima emerged as a response to the need for a contemporary-focused art fair in Italy that prioritized experimentation over tradition.
From the beginning, it distinguished itself from other Italian fairs by focusing on emerging artists and curatorial research rather than established market names.
In the early 2000s, Artissima began to gain international recognition due to its innovative structure and curated sections. It introduced formats that later influenced other fairs — particularly its focus on solo presentations and thematic curation.
Over time, the fair developed a reputation as a launch platform. Artists presented at Artissima often progressed to international biennials and major institutional exhibitions.
The introduction of sections such as “Present Future” and “Back to the Future” reinforced its dual role: supporting new talent while re-evaluating overlooked historical artists.
Turin’s strong institutional network — including Castello di Rivoli and Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo — further strengthened the fair’s intellectual ecosystem.
Today, Artissima is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most curatorially respected art fairs.
It remains smaller than mega-fairs, but significantly more influential in shaping discourse.
