Jessica Silverman Gallery is set to captivate audiences at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 with a carefully curated exhibition titled The Keepers. Running from December 4 to 8 at Booth A5, this presentation brings together an impressive roster of artists whose works collectively explore the intersection of folklore, cultural history, and shared human traditions. Spanning a variety of mediums and styles, the exhibition highlights the gallery’s commitment to fostering dialogues that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries.

The Keepers features works by renowned artists including Sadie Barnette, Judy Chicago, Andrea Carlson, and Loie Hollowell, alongside emerging voices such as Guimi You and Chelsea Ryoko Wong. The presentation bridges the historical and the contemporary, showcasing both new commissions and pivotal pieces from each artist’s oeuvre. With a focus on storytelling, symbolism, and formal innovation, the exhibition invites viewers to consider how art acts as a custodian of memory and a bridge between the past and the present.

Central to the exhibition is the idea of preservation—of traditions, stories, and forms. Each work in The Keepers reflects a unique perspective on how cultural knowledge is passed down and reinterpreted. For instance, Sadie Barnette’s mixed-media works draw on personal and political histories, using archives and family stories to explore themes of identity and resilience. Judy Chicago’s iconic feminist sculptures and paintings interrogate gender norms and celebrate the collective power of women’s narratives. Meanwhile, Loie Hollowell’s abstract compositions delve into the corporeal and the spiritual, offering a visual language that bridges the personal and the universal.

Jessica Silverman’s booth also emphasizes cross-cultural dialogue, with artists like Atsushi Kaga and Hayal Pozanti drawing from non-Western traditions to create works that resonate globally. Kaga’s pieces, rooted in Japanese storytelling and pop culture, provide a playful yet profound meditation on identity and modernity. Pozanti, on the other hand, employs her invented "Instant Paradise" script to comment on digital culture and linguistic evolution.

The exhibition is further enriched by the contributions of artists such as Isaac Julien and Julian Hoeber, whose works tackle complex social and philosophical themes. Julien’s cinematic installations often weave narratives of migration and displacement, while Hoeber’s pieces experiment with form and perception to challenge conventional ways of seeing. These works underscore the exhibition’s broader theme: the role of art as a keeper of shared human experience.

Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the most prestigious art fairs globally, provides an ideal platform for The Keepers. The fair attracts a diverse international audience, creating opportunities for collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts to engage deeply with the ideas and aesthetics on display. Jessica Silverman’s participation reflects its status as a gallery committed to innovation and inclusivity, championing artists who push the boundaries of form and meaning.

In a statement, Jessica Silverman shared her vision for the presentation: “The Keepers is about how we hold onto what matters, whether it’s a story, a tradition, or a way of seeing the world. Each artist brings something vital to this conversation, and together they show how art can preserve and transform the cultural knowledge that connects us all.”

The exhibition is a testament to the enduring power of art to engage with complex histories while inspiring new ways of thinking. By weaving together diverse artistic practices and cultural perspectives, The Keepers highlights how contemporary art can act as both a mirror to the present and a bridge to the past.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com