ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2026 - focus on global perspectives in contemporary art.

For almost three decades, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has been setting new trends in the Swiss art scene. In 2026, the fair will once again be held at the historic hall Puls 5 in Zurich. From 8 to 10 May, this industrial monument will be transformed into a vibrant hub for contemporary art on the global stage.
54 exhibitors will present art from over 25 countries, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, objects, digital art and installations.
Visitors will embark on an artistic journey taking them through several European countries, as well as Canada, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, before concluding in Switzerland.
ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is a place of discovery that actively promotes dialogue between art, the public, and society. The fair places great importance on diversity, dialogue and accessibility, aiming to make contemporary art more accessible to a wider audience. Aimed at collectors, art lovers and industry representatives, it showcases the modern, international nature of the Swiss art scene.
The fair places particular emphasis on personalised art education, authenticity, and cultural openness. The focus is on direct interaction between artists, dealers and visitors. In solo exhibitions, artists showcase their unique styles and visions, ranging from painting and sculpture to experimental media. Visitors can gain an in-depth understanding of the artists' concepts and forms of expression through personal conversations.
The fair sees itself as a forum for exchange, developing perspectives and providing creative inspiration. Many of the works on display explore current issues such as cultural identity, sustainability, urban life and intercultural dialogue. The fair therefore provides a platform for discussing current issues and perspectives in contemporary art.
Since its inception in 1999, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has occupied a unique position within the global and Swiss art markets. It caters for a broad and diverse audience, promoting dialogue between artists, galleries and art enthusiasts.

PROGRAMME 2026
This year, the ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2026 art fair will bring together artistic perspectives from Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA, engaging them in a multi-layered dialogue. Galleries and artists from cities such as Tokyo, Taipei, Cape Town, Santa Barbara, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Miami, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Geneva and Zurich will come together to create a space for global networking and cultural exchange.
The diverse aesthetic styles and cultural contexts of the presented galleries and artists promote transcontinental dialogue. A comprehensive spectrum of contemporary positions in painting, sculpture, photography, installation and mixed media will be presented, reflecting the diversity of current forms of artistic expression.
A wide variety of artistic styles from Asia are represented, combining regional aesthetics with contemporary issues. Malaysian contemporary art impresses with its technical precision and socio-political reflection. Works from Taiwan, Japan and Korea integrate traditional influences, such as ink painting, minimalism and philosophical imagery, with modern materials and pop culture references. Paper collages, pop-surrealist compositions and conceptually grounded drawings are examples of artworks that integrate cultural heritage with the present day. These works reflect the dynamic art scenes of their regions, where technical skill, socially relevant content, and an independent visual language take centre stage, offering differentiated insights into current discourses.
Contemporary African artists make a powerful statement by combining traditional techniques, such as Shona stone sculpture, with modern forms of expression, including painting, installation and mixed media. In doing so, they reinterpret central themes such as identity, migration, community and postcolonial narratives from feminist, diasporic and intercultural standpoints. These works offer nuanced insights into social transformations, cultural heritage, and cultural self-perception in a globalised world. Intercultural networks specifically enhance the international visibility of African artists.
The United States is a hub for a variety of contemporary art forms, oscillating between conceptual clarity, material experimentation, and urban energy. Galleries in Miami and California exhibit pieces that combine textile techniques and fashion influences with large-format abstract compositions. In doing so, they encourage viewers to reflect on themes such as consumption, surfaces and cultural hybridity. These contributions are characterised by urban energy, experimental material combinations and interdisciplinary approaches, reflecting the diversity of an art scene heavily influenced by cultural mixing. Meanwhile, European artworks characterised by conceptual clarity, poetic landscape interpretation and introspective figuration resonate with American impulses.
The art fair's themes range from identity, migration and memory to depictions of nature and landscapes, as well as questions of spirituality, urbanisation and social change. Exhibitors explore the relationship between humans and the environment in depth. Many pieces combine traditional techniques with modern approaches, thus pushing the boundaries of classical genres.
Global issues such as resilience in times of crisis, ecological responsibility, and the search for belonging are also addressed. Many artists work across media, combining traditional craft techniques with innovative technologies, and personal narratives with collective experiences. Alongside figurative and realistic pieces, there are expressive, pop-surrealist and conceptual works that combine emotional depth with formal precision.
The overseas contributions are characterised by in-depth examinations of topics such as social transformation and cultural self-assertion. Many of the works are interdisciplinary, combining different art forms to create multi-layered visual spaces shaped by transcultural influences.
By creating new perspectives beyond the European mainstream and promoting exchange between continents, generations and disciplines, the 2026 art fair emphasises its claim to be an international forum for contemporary art. This results in a diverse panorama that highlights global developments and broadens our view of the future. The fair provides a platform where different cultural contexts can enrich each other, promoting the diversity of contemporary art in all its facets.

FACTS
28th ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH art fair at Puls 5 (Giessereihalle) Zurich / 8 - 10 May 2026: Fri. 11 am - 10 pm, Sat. 11 am - 9 pm, Sun. 11 am - 6 pm / Day ticket 20 Fr./10 Fr., Ticketcorner.ch / Vernissage on Fri. 6 pm - 10 pm (30 Fr.) / Fair info: www.art-zurich.com/en

BB International Fine Arts GmbH
Churerstrasse 160b, CH-8808 Pfaeffikon, Switzerland

ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is a contemporary art fair established in 1999. Showcasing a diverse range of modern art trends, it brings together artists, galleries, and key figures from the art world from over 100 countries for its art market forum. The Swiss organiser specialises in coordinating exhibitions and art and design fairs. It provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services.

This release was published on openPR.