Simon Watson
Sep 4, 2013 2:55PM

Whether for collection building or exhibition organizing, on a daily basis I seek fine artworks by outstanding mid-career and emerging artists. Outstanding contemporary art should give a unique perspective about the times we are living. My Top Ten selections from ArtRio represents a snapshot of my ongoing search for artists who in some way are breaking new ground, and whose current artworks uniquely speak to their sense of the world condition.

Ana Prata, Mamute, 2013, at Galeria Millan

Sergio Sister, Uma entrada, 2008, at Galeria Nara Roesler

Rodrigo Bueno, Singleton, 2013, Gallery Nosco

Richard Phillips, Endless, 2013, Gagosian Gallery

Daniel Steegmann, Masks, 2012, Mendes Wood DM

Iran do Espírito Santo, Globe 3, 2011, Galeria Fortes Vilaça

Carlos Contente, Esquentar dinheiro na panela / Heat money in the pan, 2012, A Gentil Carioca

Andre Komatsu, Conquista Conquistado, 2011, Vermelho

Caetano de Almeida, 182T, 2012, Galeria Luisa Strina

Suzana Queiroga, Série semeadura de nuvens / Cloud seeding series, 2012, Artur Fidalgo Galeria

In addition to my Top Ten selections, I am genuinely looking forward to talking with art dealers of both classic 50s and 60s artworks as well as those who specialize in established and emerging artists.

For classics, I’m looking forward to visiting:

Hélio Oiticica at LURIXS: Arte Contemporânea 

Hélio Oiticica at Maurício Pontual Galeria de Arte 

Carlos Cruz-Diez at Leon Tovar Gallery 

Volpi at Almeida e Dale Galeria de Arte 

Alighiero e Boetti at Massimo De Carlo 

Tomie Ohtake at Simões de Assis Galeria de Arte 

I love the work of William Kentridge, so I’m looking forward to visiting the estimable Marian Goodman Gallery (Panorama, Booth M4). And for a newer generation I’m looking forward to meeting with Choque Cultural (to see Rafael Silveira); La Central (because they are the fabulous pulse of Bogota); Christinger De Mayo (to learn about Monica Ursina Jäger); Galeria Marília Razuk (to see what looks like a great Cabelo painting); the energetic and fascinating SIM Galeria; and Ricardo Alcaide’s works at Baró Galeria as well as Alcaide’s solo project curated by Julieta Gonzales and Pablo Leon de la Barra.
Simon Watson