Whether or not you’re attending Art Basel Miami this weekend, there’s so much to explore and learn about the artists on display. With tons of iconic talent — ranging from established art world legends to emerging stars — it’s impossible to cover it all. Just Gagosian’s presentation alone features works by Helen Frankenthaler, Damien Hirst, Roy Lichtenstein, Tyler Mitchell, and Nam June Paik.
Rather than trying to highlight everyone, we’ve narrowed it down to a curated list of artists you should know, whether you’re lucky enough to be in Miami or following along from afar. One booth we’re particularly excited about? Jeffrey Deitch Gallery’s roster at A2.
Olaolu Slawn
Nigerian-born artist Olaolu Slawn is a London-based painter who’s a must-see if you love Abstract Expressionism. Intersecting the style with contemporary street art, he uses spray paint, large-scale canvases, graffitis and murals, while drawing upon Yoruba heritage and topics such as race, identity and politics. Originally immersed in skate culture, the artist transitioned to painting during lockdown in the pandemic. He’s since partnered with luxury brands like Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Rimowa — all while his Instagram bio says, “im not an artist, i paint like a 6 year old.” During Art Basel Miami, he’s making his U.S. debut with Rubell Museum.
Li Hei Di
At just 27, Li Hei Di is the youngest artist on Pace Gallery’s roster. Recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, the Chinese-born, London-based artist will debut an over eight-foot painting at the gallery’s Art Basel Miami booth titled what pane of glass make lucid the reflection? (2024). A blend of figuration and abstraction, her work is rooted in instinctual urges and draws upon themes explored by writers like Bell Hooks, Byung-Chul Han, Mo Yan, Maggie Nelson and Paul B. Preciado. Her artistic influences also include wuxia films such as Ching Siu-tung’s A Chinese Ghost Story, Ching Siu-tung’s Swordsman II: Asia the Invincible, and Tsui Hark’s Green Snake.
Diana Yesenia Alvarado
This year, Diana Yesenia Alvarado has collaborated with GOAT to make the official Art Basel staff uniforms, which include an anorak, polo shirt and tote bag. She will also have a sculpture on view at the Deitch booth. With varying references like her home of East LA, Y2K and punk, her vessels incorporate mystical and surreal creatures.
Sharif Farrag
Also on view at Deitch is Erectumus Jug (2024), a ceramic work by Californian multidisciplinary artist Sharif Farrag. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship, Farrag creates playful, cartoonish pieces that draw from his personal experiences, including his connections to West Coast subcultures and his identity as a second-generation Syrian-Egyptian.
Josh Kline
Josh Kline is one of the leading contemporary artists of his generation. Originally from Philadelphia and now based in New York City, his work spans multiple mediums, including video, sculpture and photography. As shared by Lisson Gallery, “In his works, he questions how emergent technologies are being used to change human life in the 21st Century. Kline often utilizes the technologies, practices, and forms he scrutinizes — digitization, image manipulation, 3D-printing, commercial and political advertising, productivity-enhancing substances—aiming them back at themselves. Some of his most well-known videos use early deep fake software to speculate on the meaning of truth in a time of post-truth propaganda. At its core, Kline’s prescient practice is focused on work and class, exploring how today’s most urgent social and political issues—climate change, automation, disease, and the weakening of democracy — impact the people who make up the labor force.”
Nick Thomm
Australian artist Nick Thomm, now based in Los Angeles, has made a name for himself with his large-scale spectral paintings and immersive installations using bold color palettes to create multisensory environments. He has collaborated on projects with LVMH, designed exclusive collections for Louis Vuitton, and created bespoke pieces for Tiffany & Co. He’s also gained a celebrity following, with Miley Cyrus displaying one of his pieces in her home.
H.R. Giger
Maybe you don’t know of Swiss artist H.R. Giger (1940-2014), but you probably know of Ridley Scott’s Alien, which he created the monster for. Beyond this achievement, Giger left a lasting mark on pop culture with his surreal designs, blending dream and reality to create fantastic realism. His aluminum sculpture Necronom / Alien III (1990-2005) is on view with Mai 36 Galerie. One of the six editions of this piece has already sold for $1 million.
