With hundreds of galleries scattered throughout the neighborhood, Chelsea is the art hub of New York City. From urban surrealism to pop art to conceptual art, Chelsea has it all. Here are our top picks.
David Zwirner Gallery
The Drawn Together Exhibit by Aline Kominsky-Crumb & Robert Crumb
This contemporary art gallery was founded in 1993 by German expatriate, David Zwirner. With locations in New York and London, the David Zwirner Gallery houses multiple exhibitions and features the works of over 40 international artists. The style of art ranges from comics to abstract. With art that gets more interesting the longer you look at it, we think this is one of Chelsea’s best galleries.
Hauser & Wirth
The SUNRISE SUNSET Exhibit by Sterling Ruby
Originally founded in Switzerland in 1992, Hauser & Wirth is now an international art gallery and features the works of over 60 artists. Some exhibits feature both visual and auditory elements and challenge the viewers to think. The art is contemporary and modern and is a must-see for any art lover.
Aperture
The Latin American Photobook Exhibit by Horacio Fernandez
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the inspiring and thought-provoking exhibits at Aperture. The not-for-profit foundation was founded in 1952 by a group of noteworthy photographers and writers, and not only showcases exhibitions internationally, but also produces and publishes photography books. There are a host of events like artist lectures, panel discussions, and book signings, many of which are free. The gallery was one of the firsts dedicated to fine art photography and continues to be an innovative force in the art community.
Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
Prisma Branco by Ernesto NETO
This gallery may be smaller than the previous ones mentioned, but it exhibits some of the most stimulating and refreshing contemporary artwork from over 30 established and upcoming artists. Founded in 1994, the gallery relocated to Chelsea in 1998 and remains one of the neighborhood’s most prominent galleries. The gallery prides itself by showcasing all types of media from drawings to installations and should definitely be on your gallery bucket list.
