Deli Gallery, a New York institution celebrated for discovering and promoting emerging artists, has announced it will close its doors after eight years of operation. The gallery joins a growing list of New York galleries, including Denny Gallery, JTT Gallery, and Queer Thoughts, that have recently shuttered. Deli Gallery’s final day will be September 28, coinciding with the conclusion of its last show, Long-Winded, a solo exhibition by artist Jose de Jesus Rodriguez.

In an Instagram post, founder Max Marshall and the gallery team reflected on the gallery’s journey, stating, “It has been a privilege and an unbelievable gift to be able to realize so many incredible exhibitions and share our unique vision and voice with all of you.” They emphasized that the gallery’s mission to foster community and advocate for underrepresented voices will continue to resonate beyond its closure.

Marshall attributed the decision to both external market pressures and a feeling that the timing was right for closure. “There are external market factors at play, but at the end of the day this felt like the right moment,” he told Artnet News.

Deli Gallery first opened in Long Island City, Queens, in 2016, relocating to Brooklyn two years later. In 2021, it moved to Tribeca, Manhattan, before expanding internationally with a Mexico City outpost in 2022. Known for taking risks on young and unestablished talent, the gallery’s bold curatorial choices paid off as many of its represented artists went on to receive critical acclaim.

Throughout its eight years, Deli Gallery became synonymous with exhibitions featuring figurative paintings and installations that challenged conventional perspectives on race, sexuality, and art history. Artists such as Skye Volmar, Alina Perez, Abigail Lucien, and duos Ficus Interfaith and ASMA found a home at the gallery. The final show by Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, a community muralist turned painter, exemplifies Deli’s focus on art that is physically and conceptually daring.

Although the gallery did not disclose plans for its artists or future operations, Marshall expressed optimism for what lies ahead, stating, “I look forward with excitement to what the future holds and with the firm belief that we can continue to make a lasting impression on the world around us through our trust in art and artists.”

The closure of Deli Gallery marks the end of an era for a space that pushed boundaries, advocated for marginalized voices, and helped shape the careers of numerous rising stars in the art world.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com