The 55th edition of Art Basel, held between June 19 and 22, ended with
enthusiasm in Basel, confirming its status as the hub of the international art market.
With 285 galleries from 40 countries, the event attracted collectors, curators, and museum directors
from around the world. Attendance was around 88,000 over the
opening days.
Among the highlights of the fair, renowned German artist Katharina Grosse
painted the architecture and surfaces of Messeplatz, Basel's central square,
transforming it into a vibrant and immersive environment. CHOIR (2025) is Katharina Grosse's largest work to date in an urban center, covering an area of over 5,000 square meters. Grosse uses magenta because it is the color most visible to the human eye in outdoor environments. Curated by Natalia Grabowska, this striking site-specific painting redefined the experience of public space through bold chromatic expression.
Sales and protagonists
Sales were brisk and substantial right from the VIP preview: the Swiss contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth
sold a Mark Bradford for $3.5 million
, while art dealer David Zwirner sold works by Alice
Neel and Joan Mitchell for between $2 and $3 million. Swiss art gallery Gagosian
closed the sale of a painting by Georg Baselitz for over $5 million. Other artists featured at
included Ghanaian visual artist Amoako Boafo and American visual artist
Christina Quarles.
Successful emerging artists
Among the emerging artists who attracted the most attention were
Kudzanai-Violet Hwami, whose works sold within the first few hours; Jes Fan, who
attracted the interest of several museums for his biomorphic installations; and Maia Ruth
Lee, whose work received critical acclaim and solid sales.
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley and Zadie Xa also received considerable acclaim, with works
that explored themes of gender and cultural belonging through digital media
.
Emerging trends
The 2025 edition highlighted a strong focus on sustainable art and
digital languages. There is growing interest in artists from non-
d Western contexts, particularly from Africa (Ndayé Kouagou from Congo and Felix Shumba
from Zimbabwe) and Southeast Asia (Ho Tzu Nyen, Truong Cong Tung).
r multimedia and interactive works have found ample space, as have
practices that reflect on identity, inclusivity, and climate change.
nd younger collectors are turning to experimental languages and the work of emerging artists. Compared to 2024, the 2025 edition saw an increase both in terms of participation and sales volume. Sales in 2025 saw an expansion towards digital practices and emerging artists, with an estimated 12% increase in overall volumes.
Impact of digital languages on sales
Digital trends have had a decisive influence on sales dynamics.
Works with video components, interactive elements, or links to the virtual world have attracted
the interest of a new generation of buyers who are more inclined to
experimentation. Some galleries have sold NFT works or immersive digital experiences
, generating six-figure sums, while interactive installations and immersive environments
have attracted interest from technology museums and innovative exhibition spaces
. Interest in NFT and immersive works has grown, and the fusion of art and technology has thus established itself as one of the main drivers
of current market demand.
Conclusions Art Basel 2025 confirms its status as a global benchmark for the contemporary art market , with solid numbers, qualified attendees, and a cultural and commercial offering of the highest level . Once again this year, we at Artistinct were present at Art Basel , and we carefully observed the fair, its progress , and the various protagonists who animated it with significant economic and artistic actions and movements . The fair not only consolidated current trends, but also decisively outlined the guidelines for the art system for years to come.
Join in!
Comments