BY ANNABEL KEENAN
Celebrating rising stars of contemporary art is the Nova sector, which features work made by up to three artists within the last three years. A highlight is Charles Moffett making its ABMB debut with a duo-presentation centreing placemaking and self-determination with felt portraits by Melissa Joseph and recycled-tire sculptures Kim Dacres. "Both artists’ careers are entering a vital inflection point and now feels like a strong moment to showcase their art on the kind of stage that Art Basel offers,” Moffett says.
Elsewhere, the Survey sector offers a historic counterpoint to Nova’s fresh faces with works made prior to 2000, including Portland-based ILY2’s selection of mixed-media pieces by Bonnie Lucas that question notions of femininity and incorporate craft and consumer objects, such as dolls and toys. “We are thrilled to exhibit at the fair for the first time,” says gallery senior director Jeanine Jablonski. “Bonnie’s unwavering, steadfast, decidedly feminist practice is precisely the type of work we champion.” Though working for over four decades, Lucas has only recently received widespread regard, an exciting moment to collect an industry pioneer on the rise.
Rounding out the fair are the Kabinett sector’s thematically curated presentations, including hand-embroidered textiles by Palestinian-American artist Jordan Nassar that explore language, heritage, and concepts of homeland, presented by Anat Ebgi, as well as the Positions sector featuring solo presentations of emerging artists or galleries. A highlight in Positions is an assortment of shrine-like installations of photographs and relics by interdisciplinary artist Agosto Machado presented by Gordon Robichaux. Exploring the artist’s life and the rich legacy of creatives in downtown Manhattan, these works offer a snapshot of pivotal moments in recent history, including the AIDS crisis and the queer activism of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson.
