Highlights from The Armory Show 2026

Two large-scale UltraChrome K3 ink photographic pieces—be courteous to all; bow down to none (2026) and abandoned by the rule of law (2026)—accented with acrylic paint varnish and wax, acted as a microcosm of the wonders within The Armory Show 2026. Vast depictions of the sky, almost pulled out of space and time, composed by identical twin brothers Doug and Mike Starn, these mesmeric works encouraged careful consideration. Whether playful, like Hernan Bas’ singular moment December 31st, 1999 at Victoria Miro, or quietly profound, including Perrotin’s paintings by Kathia St. Hilaire, a diverse array of artworks greeted the 50,000 visitors of this 32nd edition.

“This year’s fair was defined by ambitious presentations, productive conversations, and a strong sense of purpose from our galleries,” said Kyla McMillan, Director of The Armory Show. “We saw this translate into significant sales alongside new relationships, affirming the value of giving galleries the space to take risks. The connections between the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States brought distinct perspectives into dialogue. That is The Armory Show at its best: rooted in New York and open to the full breadth of the Americas.”

Milestone figures ranged from Michael Rosenfeld Gallery’s sale of a Joan Mitchell painting to a private collection for over $2,000,000, Galleria Lorcan O’Neill’s sale of a painting by Tracey Emin for $1,600,000, and the five oversized chairs by Lucia Hierro sold by Marc Straus for $85,000 each. This year also introduced the largest program of prizes at The Armory Show. Of note, Pérez Art Museum Miami selected Joshua Nazario’s Cerrando en Casa (2026) from Embajada; Lizania Cruz’s Tropical Here? [¿Aquí Tropical?] (2026) from ProxyCo; and Theresa Weber’s Woven Body Blue (2024) from Studio/Chapple as the recipients of the inaugural PAMM Acquisition Prize. Zoë Pulley’s Elegance No. 1 (2026) from Superposition Gallery was selected for the new Bronx Museum Acquisition Prize.

These are only some noteworthy moments from a fair that furthered its resonance with New York City. “The Armory Show continues to evolve with a clear sense of identity,” says Christine Messineo, Director of Americas, Frieze. “Its breadth creates space for a wide range of galleries and nuanced presentations, adding to the scope of Frieze’s program and expanding what we can offer as a global organization.”