October 2024 marked a special moment in time for the Atlanta art scene as the Southern Mecca hosted its first international art fair that wrapped up a bolstering finale of indulging Atlanta Art Week activities. 

In a unique blend of creativity, wonder and purpose, Atlanta’s first art fair brought together neighboring artists, creatives, local and international galleries alike at Pullman Yards, showcasing its strength in an age-old industry. The city’s global attractiveness reeled in works by over 100 artists and 60 exhibitors, including multiple local galleries: Alan Avery Art Company, Day & Night Projects, Dunwoody Gallery, Fay Gold Gallery, Gallery Anderson Smith, Hawkins Headquarters, Jackson Fine Art, Johnson Lowe Gallery, Marcia Wood Gallery, Maune Contemporary, The Object Space, Poem 88, Sandler Hudson Gallery, Spalding Nix Fine Art, and Whitespace.

“Atlanta is arguably the home to the kindest people—I’ve never felt more welcome, and so many folks over the last years have been so willing to sit down with me and talk to me about the goals of the community,” said Atlanta Art Fair Director, Kelly Freeman in an interview with Artsy. “It all just comes together with the ability to create a centralized gathering space for what the city already has going for it,” she added.

Hungry and eager to solidify a space for an enduring southern spirit, the fair made sure to pedestal regional talent, providing a platform for both new and seasoned voices. Increased demand for a southern meeting point, the AAF proved to be just that. 

Notable Themes of AAF

Style Diversity

Like traditional fairs, colorful and eclectic, the AAF brought forth artists and their respective disciplines from all over. Viewers encountered contemporary, portraiture, photography, sculpture, and various paint styles throughout the curated space. Every corner of the cubicle booths held something special and different. 

“The Art Fair is exactly what ATL needed to propel the art movement in the city and surrounding areas,” said Adila Halim, Art Curator of the Trap Music Museum (Instagram: artselectah). “The fair officially puts Atlanta on the map as an official and respected art hub and I anticipate that it will grow to become just as big as any well respected art fair in the art world. It’s only up from here,” she added.

A collection of brightly-colored, glass-beaded AKs by Ralph Ziman was one of the first to greet fair goers. Titled “The Casspir Project”, Ziman’s pieces parallel South Africa’s brutal past with America’s dark present. The largest piece of the collection was, ironically enough, a Casspir itself. The hulk-like military vehicle was decked out in the same colored glass beads. This piece was on display at the Atlanta Contemporary Museum and will make its way to the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum from October 18th through November 15th.

Photos of Casspir (left) and Beaded rifle (right) courtesy of The Rendon Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Also near the first handful of booths at the fair were a collection of marbled busts from Ejiro Fenegal and Mitochondria Gallery. Stunning and captivating, these precious stoned pieces brought you face to face with prestigious African beauty. Behind them were a series of large oil to canvas paintings by Izere Antoine. Together, the collection pulled viewers close into the uniqueness of fine African art.

Photos of bonded marble sculptures by Ejiro Fenegal. Ochanya (left) and Out Of The Blue (right).

Preceding the booth of busts, Mitochondria Gallery affixed more works from a third artist of the gallery’s triad; Odeyemi Oluwaseun. His portraits feature a textured, monochromatic color scheme or non-continuous lines that evoke deeper gazing beyond the oil-painted faces in the foreground. 

‘Hold Tight’ by Odeyemi Oluwaseun

“Wow-able” Pieces

What’s an art fair without stumbling on a few “wow” factors? This year, viewers encountered several pieces stimulating heightened experiences. Art is subjective, but these pieces were bold, direct, and emotionally pronounced in a way that some might consider Art Basel worthy. 

The Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery booth was definitely one of those spaces where viewers spent more time. The immediate attraction? A life-sized stainless steel geometrical object with LEDs and an infinity mirror effect. The piece, titled ‘TRIACONTAHEDRON’ by Anthony James stood 60” tall and forcibly lured viewers into the depths of a reflective abyss. Works like that are terribly hard to surpass, maybe, until you peep the price tag. 

Slightly adjacent to James’ mirrory portal, sat a hyper realistic sculpture of a woman in a one-piece swimsuit and a metallic swim cap. Carole A. Feurman’s piece, titled ‘MID POINT II’, appeared so believable that a hint of chlorine could be smelled when approached. 

Close enough in proximity, both pieces in the gallery booth seemed to oddly work together by providing a contrast of reality and metaphysics. 

Photos of work by Anthony James ‘TRIACONTAHEDRON’ (right) and Carole A. Feurman ‘MID POINT II‘ (left).

Another indicator of Art Basel-like works would be the ability to evoke emotion through activism. This one particular piece by Pam Longobari was a towering conglomerate of salvaged ocean debris. No contemplation needed. This piece was intended to make the viewer reflect on human influence on the largest medium on our planet; the ocean. This piece highlights the damage humans blindly contribute to the aqua ecosystem. There’s something about looking at pieces of plastic, fish netting, and waste piled to the ceiling that pulls the sorrow right out of you. 

Recycling? Yes. 
Art? Also yes.

Photos of ‘Anxiety of Appetites’ by Pam Longobardi, Karen Comer Lowe curtesy of The Atlanta Art Fair.

Southern Richness

The inaugural Atlanta Art Fair swoops in due to growing recognition of the city as an unearthed gem of the United States. Bringing views of Southern identity, cultural influences, and insignia, the fair aimed to be an inclusive platform showcasing 37 Southern galleries, 22 of which from Atlanta alone. A strong presence of ATL-based art enthusiasts gathered to solidify the community’s stamp of approval.

“The Atlanta Art Fair 2024 was a vibrant celebration of creativity and diversity, showcasing a wide array of artistic expressions from both local and international artists,” said local Congolese multidisciplinary artist, Masela Nkolo. “The energy of the fair was palpable, with engaging paintings, sculpture, thought-provoking works, and interactive experiences that drew in a diverse audience,” he added. 

Southern Black culture being a genre of its own is the reason why it stands out with such pride. A mere “way of life” showcases individuality, poise, and freedom that cannot be duplicated. Its spirit runs deep in the soul just as it does the soil. 

Works like Fahamu Pecou’s ‘One Thing About Me I’ma Be Alright: NUFF SAID’ exemplifies mastery of craft and blends that Southern swag with its African roots. All elements working together harmoniously. 

Photo of Fahamu Pecou’s ‘One Thing About Me I’ma Be Alright: NUFF SAID’

Photography, another highly appreciated medium on display at the Atlanta Art Fair, is fairly new in the art world compared to paint and sculpture. It allows for a time-capsuled view into a specific moment in time. The collection of photography by Steve Schapiro at Jackson Fine Art Atlanta jumps viewers straight to the 1960s when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement was the nation’s largest influencer.

Collection of works by Stevie Schapiro for Jackson Fine Art.

One other gallery booth that shined bright in the modern Black Woman art space was the ‘Protective Style’ collection by Autumn Breon. With its furry pink walls and relativeness, this exhibit is heavily inspired by Bernice Robinson (a South Carolina beautician who taught Black folks to read and write so they could pass literacy tests and vote). ‘Protective Style‘ is a body of work that monumentalizes the hair salon as a portal for Black women’s freedom. Cultural transparency at its finest.

Collection of ‘Protective Style’ works by Autumn Breon.

Overall, the inaugural Atlanta Art Fair turned out to be profitable for local artists’ pockets and their industry credibility. It was a huge success. The Atlanta Art Fair will continue to be a landmark for Southern culture and existence. 

For more information on artists, works, and to keep up with The Atlanta Art Fair, please visit www.theatlantaartfair.com.

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