17 Artists I Keep an Eye On. Part II
Paulo Nimer Pjota, Jozua Gerrard, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Elizabeth Jaeger and Four More Names You’ll Want to Remember
Two weeks ago, I sent out the first part of this list, featuring nine artists: Cassi Namoda, Djabril Boukhenaïssi, Sidival Fila, Aysha E Arar, Anders Davidsen, Mohammed Sami, Lucie Antoinette, Kentaro Kawabata and Talia Chetrit. If by any chance you missed it, follow the link below to take a closer look.
17 Artists I Keep an Eye On. Part I
I wrote this dispatch back in February. It’s only going out now, but with much better content—so perhaps the delay was for the best.
While I’m 100% busy closing our current fundraising round for TAAD (I will dedicate one of the dispatches to that—I promise), so much is happening on the other side of the road. For instance, Mohammed Sami has been nominated for the Turner Prize (told you I have a good eye - no joke); Art Basel is launching new Awards; the Cult100 List by my favorite Cultured Mag looks impressive; Tate Modern is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and The New York Times is calling it the museum of the century, crediting it with a major impact on the museum world.
I mean, the world is full of news - some important, some… less so. But despite all the craziness world throws at us, I still think it’s important to spotlight the next eight promising artists you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on.
A quick disclaimer: this isn’t necessarily a “best investment” list. But I would use it for everything—from acquisitions for clients and institutional committees, to exhibiting at TAAD Show, and promoting in museums and international fairs. Just keep in mind: in our field, no expert can guarantee success.
10. Elizabeth Jaeger [Mennour]
b. 1988 in San Francisco, USA. Lives and works in New York
Elizabeth Jaeger makes sculptures that feel like they’re mid-thought - part body, part feeling, part something you can’t quite name. She shifts between materials like she’s following a mood rather than a plan, from ceramic to glass to bronze. The work is emotional without being soft, smart without being cold - and for now, still surprisingly affordable.
11. Paulo Nimer Pjota [Mendes Wood DM, Maureen Paley & Francois Ghebaly]
b. 1988 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil. Lives and works in Sao Paulo
Paulo Nimer Pjota starts with the background—raw canvas, metal, whatever feels real—and builds from there. His paintings layer symbols, sketches, and fragments like a visual notebook that never quite finishes the page. The work feels casual but calculated, and it’s catching eyes without selling out the chaos.
Extras: In the Studio.. for Apollo Magazine and Meet the Artist for Art Basel
12. Paulina Olowska [Pace Gallery]
b. 1976 in Gdansk, Poland. Lives and works in Rabka Zdroj and Krakow, Poland
Paulina Olowska moves through the mediums - half research, half reinvention. Her work pulls from Eastern European pop culture, fashion, and modernist design, mixing nostalgia with something just a little off. She’s shown everywhere from MoMA to Warsaw dive bars, and her market? Let’s just say if you’re not already in, good luck.
Extras: Old but good profile of Paulina in T Magazine; On Paulina’s re-imagination of female desire and Slavic folklore; Inside Paulina’s home (dacha) in HTSI
13. Jozua Gerrard [Southern Guild]
b. 2001 in Cape Town, South Africa, where he lives and works
Jozua Gerrard doesn’t rush - his paintings are all about slow tension, heavy textures, and figures caught in the time space. He’s still under the radar, but collectors are watching closely—his prices are creeping up, and the mystery isn’t hurting.
14. Shannon Cartier Lucy [Massimo De Carlo]
b. in 1977, in Nashville, Tennessee, where she currently lives and works
Shannon Cartier Lucy makes paintings that mess with your head—they look normal until they really, really don’t. Domestic scenes, frozen figures, everything too calm to trust. After a decade-long break (yes, she became a therapist), she returned with a bang - and collectors haven’t stopped circling since.
Extras: Really great interview for Emergent Magazine
15. Lynette Yiadom-Boakye [Jack Shainman Gallery]
b. in 1977 in London, where she lives and works
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye paints fictional people - because apparently, real ones just aren’t that interesting. Her figures sit in moody, non-places, looking like they know something you don’t. She’s a Turner Prize darling, a Venice Biennale regular, and her market? Let’s just say it left “emerging” behind a long time ago.
Extras: Faye Hirsch examines how Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s portraits of imagined Black figures for New York Times & Comprehensive Introduction by Tate;
16. Ludovic Nkoth [Francois Ghebaly & Massimo De Carlo]
b. 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Lives and works in New York, USA
Ludovic Nkoth paints confrontations, and he uses oil paint like it owes him something. His figures are bold, bruised, and unapologetically loud - a kind of declaration. His rise has been fast, his palette even faster, and yes - collectors are very much paying attention. He just entered poll of David Zwirner gallery, which is a ticket to successful career.
Extras: Forbes 30 under 30 List profile & On Cultured Magazine profile, Ludovic talks on Black masculinity and cultural heritage through vibrant figurative works
17. Danielle Joy McKinney [Max Hetzler & Marianne Boesky Gallery]
b. 1981 in Montgomery, Alabama. Lives and works in Jersey City, USA.
Danielle Joy McKinney paints women who don’t need you there - focused, still, and fully in their own space. Her scenes feel like moments you’re not supposed to see, quiet but full of intent. She came to painting through photography, and does it so well that the demand is getting higher than the offer.
Extras: Danielle challenge traditional art historical narratives for Vogue & Impressive interview for T Magazine
Meantime, I’ve watched absolutely amazing show Bad Boy, continue enjoying Hacks and Studio (both are good 8 out of 10). I haven’t read anything but listened a lot of podcasts: The Rise and Fall of Glossier, The Wing and GirlBosses from Infamous; How to Curate Life: Lessons From 3 Art World Tastemakers from Art Angle; 5 Things Every Founder MUST Know Before Pitching Investors from Makers Mindset; Michelle Obama seats with Steven for The Diary Of A CEO; Vanessa Van Edwards on cues and social awkwardness seats with Jay Shetty for On Purpose.
Wish this week will be nice to you. We talk soon!
Yours,
Miri