Early May saw Cultural Comms’ Charlotte Heath-Bullock and Zoe Fields travel to New York for TEFAF and Frieze — two key moments in a wider Art Week that also included standout auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and a strong line-up of gallery exhibitions across the city.

Below, Charlotte reflects on an exhilarating week that drew the eyes of the global art community...

TEFAF New York: Bridging Eras with Elegance
At the Park Avenue Armory, Cultural Comms client TEFAF New York offered a thoughtful dialogue between antiquity and modernity. 91 dealers from 13 countries presented a curated mix spanning Roman sculpture, mid-century design, and contemporary jewellery. Standout sales included a Daniel Richter work from Thaddaeus Ropac, Henry Moore’s Women Winding Wool at Osborne Samuel Gallery, and a gold pendant medallion with a rampant bull by Pablo Picasso, produced in collaboration with his dentist, Dr. Phillippe Châtaignier, at Didier. The fair also spotlighted the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund, which this year supported the Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s conservation programme.

Frieze New York: A Contemporary Tapestry
Frieze returned to The Shed with over 65 contemporary galleries in attendance. The Focus section highlighted emerging voices, while established names like Jeff Koons drew attention with works such as Hulk Elvis — one example reportedly selling for $3 million on opening day. Presentations from Casey Kaplan and Perrotin offered thought-provoking works, including Hannah Levy’s industrial forms and Claire Tabouret’s intimate portraits. Social engagement was also foregrounded through initiatives like the Artist Plate Project, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless.

Auction Houses: A Market in Motion
The week saw New York’s auction houses in full stride. Sotheby’s and Christie’s offered significant works spanning Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, with Christie’s headlining pieces by Basquiat, Warhol, and Monet. These sales reflected a market that continues to respond confidently to both historical significance and contemporary resonance.

Gallery Openings: Fresh Perspectives
The city’s galleries unveiled a strong lineup of exhibitions. David Zwirner opened Crucible by Michael Armitage, exploring East African narratives, while Gladstone Gallery presented Rosemarie Trockel’s Material, an exploration of form, process, and abstraction. Together, these shows demonstrated the city’s ongoing embrace of innovation and diverse artistic voices.

A Cultural Mosaic
Beyond fairs and auctions, the wider cultural calendar added richness to the week. The Frick Collection reopened to full houses following major restoration. Meanwhile, NYCxDesign transformed the city into a hub of ideas and material experimentation — with highlights including Faye Toogood’s Lucid Dream and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

Reflections on a Dynamic Week
New York once again affirmed its status as a global nexus for art, design, and culture. With TEFAF, Frieze, record-setting auctions, and compelling gallery shows all overlapping, it was a week that captured the full scope of the market — from heritage to experimentation, and from connoisseurship to creative risk.
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Find out more: tefaf.com

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