6 Collectors on the Artists, Shows, and Trends to Watch in 2023

If 2022 represented the return of the physical art world from the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 looks set to be a year of consolidation. Fairs, dealers, and auction houses will look to retain the momentum provided by last year’s jolt of post-pandemic excitement, while collectors will continue to be spoiled for choice in a market that is bustling with excellent artworks and artists.

As the ball begins to roll on what looks set to be another packed year, Artsy spoke to six collectors about what they’re looking forward to in 2023.

Nike O. Opadiran

Lawyer, Washington, D.C.

“Danielle Mckinney is an artist to watch. I have been a fan of her paintings since seeing her work in a group show curated by Vaughn Spann at Half Gallery in 2021. With the art ecosphere trending towards abstraction, her practice is a reminder that great figurative works will always be engaging.

There are a number of recent female graduates of the various London (or other U.K.) schools making terrific abstract or semi-abstract works. In addition to young stars such as Jadé Fadojutimi, Flora Yukhnovich, and Rachel Jones, Pam Evelyn, Alia Ahmad, and Michaela Yearwood-Dan are part of a diverse cohort that is producing works with a level of sophistication that is quite impressive at such early stages of their careers.”

Jeffrey A. Magid

Music Producer, Los Angeles

“In 2023, I’m looking forward to focusing more on great art, including museum shows by women who have made amazing work for decades and are just getting the recognition they deserve. These include Miriam Cahn at the Palais de Tokyo, Magdalena Suarez Frimkess at LACMA, and Rebecca Morris at MCA Chicago.

I’m also excited about major recognition for artists from Latin American backgrounds, not just as ‘Latin American Art’ but as great contemporary artists, including María Berrío at ICA Boston; Bony Ramirez at François Ghebaly; Constanza Schaffner at Luhring Augustine; and Kenny Rivero at Morán Morán. And I’m ready for February and Frieze/Felix week in Los Angeles to show the world that L.A. has a lot of great art happening, and new shows by L.A.-based artists like Joe Ray, Daniel Gibson, and Brandon Landers.”

Alia Al-Senussi

Cultural Strategist, London

“2023 will begin for me with a revolutionary experience: the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, taking place in Jeddah (January 23rd through April 23rd). Jeddah is a city that has historically been the artistic heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, a city that for millennia has been along the world’s most important trade routes and pilgrimages, and of course is the gateway to Mecca and Medina. Jeddah, and the capital Riyadh, will continue to be artistic hubs for the region, and are at the heart, along with AlUla, of the incredible economic, social, and cultural transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia right now. Sometimes my mind truly spins just thinking of all the amazing things happening in Saudi.

One of the artists who will continue to show us multifaceted work, a Saudi woman, is Sarah Brahim, who wowed audiences at the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, then most recently at Noor Riyadh, and will do the same in Jeddah in January!”

Pete Scantland

CEO, Orange Barrel Media, Columbus, Ohio

“Three years since the onset of COVID, everyone is ready to take a break from their screens to prioritize experiencing art in person again. In the last year, I fell in love with art again at the Venice Biennale, at the extraordinary Frick Collection installation at the former Whitney/Breuer building on Madison Avenue, and at the brilliant and overdue Henry Taylor retrospective at MOCA Los Angeles, and by seeing ‘Van Gogh and His Sources’ at the Columbus Museum of Art. I saw dozens of gallery shows and was blown away by Lauren Halsey at David Kordansky Gallery; Jesse Mockrin at Night Gallery; Umar Rashid (Frohawk Two Feathers) at Blum & Poe; Rick Lowe at Gagosian; Sayre Gomez at François Ghebaly; Blair Whiteford at Matthew Brown; and Naudline Pierre at James Cohan.

In 2023, I’m excited about María Berrío at ICA Boston; the ‘Made in L.A.’ biennial at the Hammer; and to visit Paris with my family in the spring to see the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce and where Monet found inspiration at Giverny.

In terms of collecting, I’m excited about so many artists, including Doron Langberg, Nikita Gale, Leslie Martinez, Hannah Levy, Mario Ayala, Lauren Satlowski, Maysha Mohamedi, Sasha Gordon, and more.

Consistent with the theme of finding more meaning in art not intermediated by a screen, artists continue to find ways to engage with a broader public in a democratic way. We’re excited to help them do that through our work at Orange Barrel Media, and I’m particularly excited about upcoming public projects we’ll be doing with artists Ed Ruscha, Glenn Kaino, Greg Ito, Maurice Harris, and Sadie Barnette.”

Alan Lo

Investor, Hong Kong

“Asia will once again be the focus now that most countries have opened up post-COVID. Mid-career artist Shinro Ohtake is having a moment as MOMAT (Museum of Modern Art Tokyo) opened his career retrospective. The Asian diaspora, especially female artists, continues to get a lot of attention. Emerging names rising to prominence include Candice Lin, Odonchimeg Davaadorj, and Brook Hsu.

In terms of the art market, Singapore is definitely not to be ignored. An unprecedented amount of wealth and talent migrating into the city-state coincides with the inaugural edition of ART SG, founded by Magnus Renfrew (who previously founded ART HK which eventually became Art Basel in Hong Kong), as well as the first Sotheby’s auction in Singapore in almost 30 years.

Hong Kong will attempt to be back on the global art radar with Art Basel in Hong Kong happening in March. This upcoming edition with 175 galleries will be the first time the special administrative region opens up to the world post-COVID, welcoming collectors, museum patrons, curators, or people who just come for parties!”

Laurie Ziegler

Art Patron, Los Angeles