History
Market Art Fair is the leading contemporary art fair in the Nordic region
Initiated in 2006 by galleries representing the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, the fair has become a trusted meeting and market place in the heart of the Nordic art industry. During the fair, selected galleries showcase an exclusive selection of the most interesting art on the Nordic scene, focusing on solo projects as well as carefully curated presentations. Each year we connect international collectors, institutions, art professionals, press and guests.
Market Art Fair also features an ambitious programme; Market Talks, collateral events and projects throughout Stockholm, including an extensive VIP Programme for international collectors and professionals.
Market Art Fair 2022
In 2022 Market Art Fair returned to its usual spring schedule taking place on 29 April -1 May at Liljevalchs Konsthall. The 16th edition of the fair was opened by the Swedish Minister for Culture, Jeanette Gustafsdotter, and welcomed thirty eight galleries, the largest number to participate at the fair, from seven countries, representing over seventy artists.
The fair had a particular focus on the Icelandic art scene with a strong presence of renowned Icelandic artists including Olafur Eliasson, Arna Óttarsdóttir, Birgir Andrésson, Shoplifter/ Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir and Ragnar Kjartansson. The fair also highlighted the work of a Sami artist for the first time, Tomas Colbengston, which coincided with the transformation of the Nordic Pavilion into 'The Sámi Pavilion' during the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2022.
Market Art Fair presented an engaging programme that included; Market Extended, an outdoor presentation of large scale contemporary sculptures and installations around Liljevalchs which included works by Tony Cragg, FOS, Tove Storch, Jens Fänge and Roland Persson, Lisa Jeannin and Tomas Colbengtson; and a series of Market Talks which raised ideas and debate about the role of contemporary art in the world today and included; Art in the age of climate apocalypse; Ulla Wiggen in conversation with Mats Stjernstedt; Sami and indigenous art, its relevance and impact on the world today; In conversation: Shoplifter and Egill Sæbjörnsson; Materiality and meaning; The ephemeral and the enduring - thoughts on Public art; Stockholm School of Economics Art Division take-over: How can art in business education affect the academic environment and perception of art?; C-print journal ‘FAIR SPORTS’ take-over reconsidered the disparate themes of Sport and Art.
Photography by Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Participating galleries 2022
Andréhn-Schiptjenko SE/FR
Galerie Anhava FI
Galleri Arnstedt SE
Avlskarl DK
Belenius SE
Berg Gallery SE
BORCH Editions DK/DE
Galleri Bo Bjerggaard DK
Cecilia Hillström Gallery SE
Dierking - Galerie am Paradeplatz CH
Dorothée Nilsson Gallery DE
ELASTIC Gallery SE
Galleri Flach SE
Galerie Forsblom FI
Golsa NO
Galleri Glas SE
GSA Gallery SE
Galleri Hammarén SE
Galleri Haaken NO
Galleria Heino FI
Galleri Helle Knudsen SE
Issues Gallery SE
i8 IS
Larsen Warner SE
LOYAL SE
Galleri Magnus Karlsson SE
Marie Kirkegaard Gallery DK
Martin Asbæk Gallery DK
Make Your Mark Gallery FI
Galleri Nicolai Wallner DK
Nils Stærk DK
Galerie Nordenhake SE/DE/MX
OSL Contemporary NO
Galleri Riis NO
Gallery Steinsland Berliner SE
Galleri Susanne Ottesen DK
V1 Gallery DK
Wetterling Gallery SE
Market Art Fair 2021
In 2021 Market Art Fair was delighted to return to the beautiful premises of Liljevalchs Konsthall and their new light filled exhibition space Liljevalchs+ following a break in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Despite covid-restrictions, the 15th edition of the fair attracted over 4200 visitors, and took place on 17–19 September. Thirty five leading galleries, from across the Nordic region, including several international exhibitors, were represented at the fair, with a total of fifteen countries and more than one hundred artists participating.
The stunning architecture of the Liljevalchs+ extension housed an extended programme of ambitious and engaging activities that inspired and nurtured debate about contemporary art and ideas including; a programme of inspiring Market Talks that shined a spotlight on themes including; Public support in times of crisis; Artistic Freedom in Belarus Today; The Decolonisation of Public Monuments; Shaping a Sustainable Future: Contemporary Art’s Role in Climate Change. A curated selection of art film screenings of works by twelve female artists including films by Julia Peirone, Tova Mozard and Jenny Källman; and Market Extended, an exhibition of large-scale sculptural works and installations by ten artists in a dedicated exhibition space as well as site-specifically within the halls of Liljevalchs.
Photography by Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Participating galleries 2021
Andréhn-Schiptjenko SE/FR
Galerie Anhava FI
Galleri Arnstedt SE
Avlskarl DK
Belenius SE
Berg Gallery SE
Björkholmen Gallery SE
Galleri Bo Bjerggaard DK
Cecilia Hillström Gallery SE
Cornelia Sojdelius Gallery SE
Dorothée Nilsson Gallery DE
ELASTIC Gallery SE
Galleri Flach SE
Galerie Forsblom FI
Gerhardsen Gerner NO/DE
Golsa NO
GSA Gallery SE
Galleri Haaken NO
Hans Alf Gallery DK
Galleria Heino FI
Helsinki Contemporary FI
Knight Webb Gallery UK
Larsen Warner SE
LOYAL SE
Galleri Magnus Karlsson SE
Martin Asbæk Gallery DK
Galerie Nordenhake SE/DE/MX
OBRA SE
Galleri Riis NO
Gallery Steinsland Berliner SE
Galleri Susanne Ottesen DK
Galleri Thomassen SE
ISCA Gallery NO
V1 Gallery DK
Wetterling Gallery SE
Market Art Fair 2019
The 2019 edition of Market Art Fair attracted over 7 000 visitors to the fair, taking place April 12 - 14 at Liljevalchs Konsthall in Stockholm. Represented at the fair were the leading galleries from the Nordic region as well as several international exhibitors.
From left to right; i8 Gallery (Reykjavík) showing Ólafur Eliasson and Margrét H. Blöndal, Galerie Nordenhake with works by Samson Kambalu, Galerie Anhava representing Silja Rantanen, in the back STANDARD (OSLO) with Matias Faldbakken and Torbjørn Rødland, Gió Marconi bringing Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg and Fredrik Værslev, and to the right Galleri Bo Bjerggaard with Per Kirkeby.
Market Talks included a conversation with Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg (image), represented at the fair by Gió Marconi.
From left to right: Gallery Steinsland Berliner (Stockholm) with Mason Saltarrelli and Malin Gabriella Nordin, LOYAL (Stockholm) with Jim Thorell, Martin Asbæk (Copenhagen) showing Clare Woods and Eva Koch.
Market Art Fair 2018
In 2018 Market returned to the beautiful premises of Liljevalchs Konsthall on Djurgården. For the 13th edition, Market brought together galleries, artists, collectors, art professionals and enthusiasts from the Nordic region and beyond. 6 900 visitors attended Market Art Fair 2018.
From left to right: painting by Zane Lewis, sculpture by Amalie Jakobsen (both Gether Contemporary, DK), painting by Lena Johansson (Andréhn-Schiptjenko, SE), installation by Bella Rune (Galleri Magnus Karlsson, SE).
35 galleries participated, with 4 exhibitors taking part for the first time, amongst other the Norwegian gallery STANDARD (OSLO). Once again, the gallery presentations consisted of well curated solo- or duo presentations. This edition of the fair marked a first step in also welcoming galleries from outside the Nordic region, with London-based Knight Webb Gallery presenting Swedish artist Anders Knutsson.
Market Art Fair 2017
The 12th edition of Market Art Fair opened to the public on Friday March 24 at Färgfabriken in Stockholm. Represented at the fair were 31 of the most prominent galleries from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
From left to right: framed prints by Henrik Strömberg, small sculptures by Yuken Teruya (both Grundemark Nilsson Gallery, SE), in the next booth installations by Frank Stella (Wetterling Gallery, SE)
In 2017 Market Art Fair's graphic profile was nominated for “Guldägget” (the Golden Egg Award), a prize awarded by The Swedish Association of Communication Agencies. Our logo and graphic design is developed and produced by Stockholm Design Lab.
From left to right: Henrik Menné and Gudrun Hassle (both Galleri Tom Christoffersen, SE), in the next booth Henry Gunderson and Zoe Barcza (both LOYAL, SE).
Market Art Fair 2016
The 2016 edition of the fair took place on top of Gallerian, a shopping centre in the heart of Stockholm. Twenty-two international exhibitors took part.
Market Scenery, created by COS in collaboration with Market Art Fair. The roof terraces on top of Gallerian offered a spectacular view of Stockholm. Visitors could enjoy food and drinks, in and outside a wooden structure aligned with COS' aesthetics of functional and timeless design. COS also created a conceptual t-shirt pop-up store, with an edited selection of garments selected by Karin Gustafsson and Martin Andersson, Heads of Design at COS.
Market Art Fair 2015
Market Art Fair 2015 was held at Liljevalchs for the third instance. The fair presented Market Space; for installations that go beyond the regular booth context could be found in Liljevalchs' magnificent Sculpture Hall.
From left to right: colourful installation by Mette Björnberg (Galleri Magnus Karlsson, SE), painting by Meta Isæus-Berlin (Galleri Andersson/Sandström, SE), installation on the wall by Leontine Arvidsson (ANNAELLEGALLERY, SE).
Market Art Fair 2013
Market Art Fair took place at Konstakademien; the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the centre of Stockholm. In the central Nike-hallen, visitors enjoyed the fair's champagne bar with an adjacent section of the fair.
Market Art Fair 2012
Market Art Fair 2012 presented 34 exhibitors. In addition to the main fair, three special sections were highlighted and a Talks Programme was featured.
Market Art Fair 2011
Market Art Fair presented an extensive talks series titled "Altered Playing Field". Panel members included amongst other Jonas Gardell, author and performer, Emma Stenström, associate professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and Daniel Birnbaum, director of Moderna Museet in Stockholm (image).
Market Art Fair 2006
The first edition of Market Art Fair took place in 2006 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the centre of Stockholm. The fair was founded by the leading galleries in Sweden, with the ambition to strengthen the Nordic art scene by creating a platform and meeting place for the leading galleries, collectors, curators and art professionals of the Nordic countries. The first edition of Market Art Fair included 30 exhibitors.