Art Basel Miami 2023
I attended the high-profile show this year: Here's the scoop from a painter’s point-of-view
Jordin and Louis view Lee Ufan’s work, titled ‘Relationship’ and ‘Correspondence’, installed at Lisson Gallery during Miami Art Basel 2023
In early December, we took Louis on his very first trip to Miami - actually it was his first trip anywhere. Louis is only 6-months old, but we thought it was a good time to expose him to air travel, the beach and of course fine art. Hotels are hard to reserve during Art Week in Miami and we were lucky to book a room at the family friendly Acqualina Resort , which was beautiful and relaxing.
Upon arriving, we met up with my sister and her family for lunch at Il Mulino, located within the resort. It was a nice to start the trip with a relaxing al fresco family meal overlooking the pools and sea. We opted for the special three-course lunch menu. At only $35 (USD) a person, it’s one of the most affordable fine-dining experiences in the city.
As a painter, I was eager to attend Art Basel, and see for myself what the hype is all about. Regarding paintings, there were a lot to view. The 2023 edition of the eminent art fair featured 227 galleries. Generally, within the genre of painting I noticed themes inspired by nature and few full-length portrait artists, including Rafa Esparza’s portrait, Timo, which is painted on an adobe panel and reminds me of my friend Bill Leyshon.
Taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Art Basel Miami, known for its global presence and influence, attracts artists, collectors, curators, celebrities and art enthusiasts from around the world. The event serves as a platform for showcasing the finest contemporary artworks across various mediums, such as paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, and digital art. We arrived in the morning for doors open at 11AM and it was quiet and pleasant to walk around the various gallery booths. Perhaps the quiet was due to the VIP opening event the night prior, with a few afterparty events taking place as well. One booth I walked into was attended by a lonely installer, who sheepishly explained that he was feeling out of his element while covering for the gallery staff, who all woke up “sick” that morning. Despite the sleepy start, apparently the fair provided several seven-digit sales, and a few significant museum acquisitions, including an Alicia Adamerovich painting purchased by ICA Miami.
A standout booth for me was the solo showing of Puerto Rican painter Esau Alfredo, titled Nocturnal World, which comprised a suite of night scene canvases that take inspiration from science fiction. Alfredo’s gallery, Spinello Projects reported the booth completely sold out during the VIP opening night.
Below are a few paintings that captured my attention -
From thought-provoking installations to multi-million dollar paintings, the fair was truly an immersive journey into the vibrant fusion of art and city culture. Much like the flashy magic city, Art Basel Miami is a glittering hub that by 5PM was buzzing with excitement. It’s reported that the show opened its doors to a staggering 79,000 visitors during the weekend. Whether you’re Will Smith, shopping for a new bachelor condo, or Joe Shmoe, exploring the art scene for the first time, Art Basel Miami provides an enriching experience for all.