Clio Art Fair Keeps Fighting Blue-Chip Art Fairs

Clio Art Fair is an international contemporary art fair that focuses on independent artists who lack exclusive gallery representation. The fair gets its name from the Greek Muse of history and poetry, which also inspires its mission: to give artists a platform to create a legacy through their work. Founded in 2014 by Alessandro Berni, Clio Art Fair intends to provide a unique and unconventional outlook on the conventional art fair format and to contest traditional methodologies of the art market. Clio Art Fair serves as an alternative to the well-established art fairs that are frequently monopolized by prominent galleries and expensive artworks. This ultra-inclusionary fair aims to provide a platform for emerging artists and promote their work to art enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world.

Pictures from the Clio Art Fair Opening Night, May 18th, 2023

One of the unique aspects of Clio Art Fair is its focus on creating a welcoming and accessible environment for attendees. Organizers of the fair strive to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere where visitors can interact with the artists directly and learn more about their work. In structure, Clio Art Fair diverges from the traditional one. Clio avoids large booths and galleries, unlike other art fairs, and instead, allots each participating artist their own space to exhibit their work. This creates a more immersive and personal experience for visitors and enables attendees to better understand different artists’ creative processes and artistic visions.

Camilla Ancilotto, Head of a Horse of Selene’s Chariot, 2022

Oil and 24kt gold leaf on wood, 13.7" x 17.7" x 3.9"

Gilbert Salinas, Untitled, 2022, Mixed media on canvas, 40” x 30”

Aurelio Bruni, Desecrating, 2022, Oil on canvas, 23" x 31.5"

Of course, the standout feature of Clio Art Fair is its focus on providing a platform for artists who may not have the resources or connections to exhibit their work at more traditional art fairs. The fair selects artists based on the quality of their work rather than their resume or gallery representation, emphasizing the fairs focus on inclusivity and diversity. Clio features works from 80 independent artists, ranging from Uruguay to the Philippines and many other locations around the world. These artists showcase a wide range of styles and mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Joanna Posa’s unique sculptures depict bodies, sometimes contorted, often intricately balanced, and always beautifully formed in a shiny silver medium. Karina Conen’s art stands out for its abstract style that puts contrast, color, and balance at the heart of many of her works. These are just two of the 80 standout artists who use an array of mediums to display their distinct artistic style and visions.

Pictures from the Clio Art Fair Opening Night, May 18th, 2023

In addition to artists’ galleries, this year Clio Art Fair will feature an art lovers networking brunch as well as a special program titled “What’s Your Fight?”.The program includes a series of performances that urge us to ask ourselves, why is the life of most human beings dominated by discontent, by anguish, by fear of war, by war?

Performances by Verónica Peña - A Matter Of..., Nicola Gialli - Sitting Is the New Smoking,

PimComedy - The Spiritual War

Performance by FannnSystem

Overall, the 2023 Clio Art Fair is an exciting and inclusive event for art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its unique format, commitment to diversity, and focus on supporting independent artists make it a standout among other art fairs. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of high-quality artworks, engage with artists and experts, and gain a deeper understanding of contemporary art. For artists, the fair offers a valuable opportunity to showcase their work, connect with collectors, and establish themselves in the art world. From seasoned collectors to those simply curious about contemporary art, Clio Art Fair offers a little something for everyone.