The first week of Labor Day traditionally marks “back to school” for the New York art world, with Chelsea galleries typically hosting openings for their high-profile September shows that Thursday night. This year, the day also marked the opening of the 2021 Armory Show.
Previously held in March at the aging piers in the West 50s, the fair moved downtown to the Javits Center at West 37th Street.
The event’s VIP preview took place almost 18 months to the day since the close of its 2020 edition, which was followed in short order by a worldwide lockdown due to the global pandemic.
Armed with face masks and vaccinations, dealers, collectors, curators, and other art world professionals flocked to the convention center to see the offerings of 157 galleries. Here’s what they saw.
Work by Marie Watt from Marc Straus, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Charlotte Keates and Norman Gilbert from Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Paintings by Genesis Tramaine and quilted works Phyllis Stephen’s at Almine Reche, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Vanessa German, Hammer Head Rage Machine Agony Machine Baptism (2019) at Kasmin, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Richard Prince, “Tell Me Everything” from Two Palms, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Raul Mourão Rebel, # 04 (2021) from Galeria Nara Roesler, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Julian Charrière, We Are All Astronauts (2011–2021) from Dittrich and Schlechtriem, Berlin, and Sean Kelly, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Julian Charrière, We Are All Astronauts (2011–2021) from Dittrich and Schlechtriem, Berlin, and Sean Kelly, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Rebecca Ward, full term (2021); Gianpietro Carlesso, Curvatura trentasette (2019); and Paolo Serra, Untitled (2020) from Ronchini Gallery, London, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Jamillah Jennings, “Retracing, Retelling” (1989–90) Eric Firestone Gallery, New York and East Hampton, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works from Sapar Contemporary, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Sculptures by Ibrahim Said and paintings by Asif Tanvir Hoque at Yossi Milo Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Richie Koraïchi, Les Sept Stations Célestes (2019) from Aicon Art, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Wendy Red Star from Sargent’s Daughters, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Ai Weiwei, Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn in Lego (2015) from Chambers Fine Art, New York and Beijing, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Carla Jay Harris from Luis de Jesus, Los Angeles, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Kajahl from Monique Meloche, Chicago, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Minol Araki at Thompson Gallery New York at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Valérie Belin, Portrait of Gaby (2020) from Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Theo Michael, and Simón Vega from Maia Contemporary, Mexico City, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The booth of Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York,at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Janet Biggs from Cristin Tierney, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Kambui Olujimi from Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Michele Oka Doner from Marlborough, New York, London, Madrid, and Barcelona, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Alice Alcock, Alien Twister (2018) in foreground and work by Pat Steir and Michael Müller from Galerie Thomas Schulte, Berlin, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Michael Rakowitz, The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist (Room F, Section 1, Northwest Palace of Nimrud) from Jane Lombard Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Genevieve Gaignard (left) in front of her work at Vielmetter, Los Angeles, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Brigit Brenner, Stay Rich (2021) at Galerie Eigen and Art, Berlin and Leipzig, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Sculpture by Rebecca Manson and painting by Ryan Mosley at Josh Lilley, London, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Michael Rakowitz at Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Andrea Galvani from Curro, Guadalajara, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Benny Andrew, Circle (1973) from Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Isabelle Albuquerque sculptures and Katherina Olschabaur paintings from Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, Bucharest, and New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Alvin Ong, “In My Head” from Yavuz Gallery, Singapore and Sydney, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Sanam Khatibi from PPOW Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
The 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Tau Lewis, Opus (The Ovule), 2020, from Night Gallery, Los Angeles, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
A work by Andrea Joyce Heimer from Half Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Dindga McCannon, Ambrose, and Hana Yilma Godine from Friedman Gallery, New York and Beacon, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Hugo Crosthwaite, Los Apoteosis de in Taco 21, a panel mural, presented by Pierogi, Brooklyn, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Adeela Suleman, Rise I and II (2021) from Aicon Contemporary, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Elizabeth Stamford Scott from Goya Contemporary, Baltimore, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Allison Zuckerman from Kravets Wehby, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Theresa Chromati from Kravets Wehby, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Theresa Chromati and Allison Zuckerman from Kravets Wehby, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Stephanie Temma Hier from Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Stephanie Temma Hier from Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Kwesi Botchway from Gallery 1957, Accra, Ridge, London, and New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Kwesi Botchway from Gallery 1957, Accra, Ridge, London, and New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Hayley Barker from Shrine, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Hayley Barker from Shrine, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Bony Ramirez from Thierry Goldberg Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Bony Ramirez from Thierry Goldberg Gallery, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Sarah Almehairi from Carbon 12, Dubai, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Wangari Mathenge, The Ascendants XI (Homage to ecclesiastes three, one through eight); Jeffrey Gibson, Would I Lie to You (2021); and Brenna Youngblood, I (2011) from Roberts Projects Los Angeles at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Jessie Makinson from Lyles and King, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Tuzla Berhanuat the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Ajarb Bernard Ategwa from Fredric Snitzer Gallery, Miami, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Work by Ambrose from Friedman Gallery, New York and Beacon, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Diana Al-Hadid, Phantom Limb (2014) from Galleri Brandstrup, Oslo, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Ceramics by Jennifer Rochlin from the Pit, Los Angeles and Palm Springs, in front of works by Alteronce Gumby from False Flag, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Mel Bochner, Do I Have to Draw You a Picture and Top Dog from Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Beverly Hills, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.
Works by Alteronce Gumby from False Flag, New York, at the 2021 Armory Show at the Javits Center in New York. Photo by Sarah Cascone.