Art Basel's 2025 Edition closes on a High Note

The fair brought together 289 of the world’s leading galleries from 42 countries and territories, attracting a highly international audience of 88,000 visitors during its preview and public days. The strong attendance and commercial success once again underscored the fair’s unique position as a cornerstone of the global art market.

All sectors of the fair played a vital role in shaping the experience. The main Galleries sector featured a wide range of modern and contemporary works by established artists across painting, sculpture, photography, and media art. Feature presented curated, historically informed projects that brought overlooked narratives and focused solo exhibitions into the spotlight. The Statements sector showcased bold, often experimental solo projects by emerging artists, many of which drew the attention of institutions and collectors alike. Edition offered high-quality editioned works and prints, while Kabinett allowed galleries to stage thematically or conceptually curated presentations within their stands, offering deeper engagement with individual practices.

Unlimited, curated for the fifth time by Giovanni Carmine, returned with nearly 70 large-scale installations and performances, drawing attention for its ambition and breadth. Works by Andrea Büttner, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Thomas Schütte, and others were among the standouts. In the city, Parcours – curated by Stefanie Hessler – activated Basel’s Clarastrasse with site-specific works exploring the theme Second Nature, blending urban experience with artistic reflection.

The 2025 edition was marked by particularly strong institutional engagement. More than 250 leading museums and foundations were present, including MoMA, Tate, Centre Pompidou, Guggenheim, LACMA, Kunsthaus Zürich and the M+ Museum in Hong Kong. Collectors and patrons travelled from over 96 countries, reflecting the fair’s unmatched international pull.

A milestone for this year was the inaugural Art Basel Awards, which recognised 36 Medalists in a festive ceremony at Basel Town Hall and the Kunstmuseum Basel. During the same occasion, the Koyo Kouoh Fellowship was announced – a new three-year professional development initiative aimed at fostering emerging talent from the African continent through a fully funded program in Basel.

The fair extended far beyond Messe Basel. Across the city, leading institutions such as the Fondation Beyeler, Kunstmuseum Basel, Schaulager, and Kunsthalle Basel hosted high-profile exhibitions, while the Liste Art Fair marked its 30th anniversary and the Basel Social Club once again transformed an unexpected urban space into a temporary art environment. Together, these initiatives contributed to a powerful cultural momentum throughout the week.