In 2015, after graduating from Bard College, the curator Lolita Cros moved back to New York City, quit her day job, and became an independent art dealer. She showed work everywhere, from a Chinese restaurant to a rooftop to a 26-foot truck. Two years later, she founded and ran the Salon, an exhibition space at the women’s members club the Wing, where she wrangled 180 artists for talks and exhibitions, including Jenny Holzer and Senga Nengudi.
Since then, she’s curated exhibitions for institutions like Sotheby’s and helped select works for museum collections, including those of the California African American Museum and the Columbus Museum of Art. Here, she shares her guide to her favorite galleries in the city.
Michael Werner Gallery
Starting with uptown Manhattan … if you’ve never entered a gallery, this is a good place to start. From the red carpeted staircase to the woody smell, the space is incredibly welcoming. I worked there my first year out of college and learned so much. Their exhibitions are curated with care and expertise; they’ve hosted some of the best shows by Francis Picabia, Sigmar Polke, and Peter Doig that I’ve ever seen. (michaelwerner.com)
Sprüth Magers
Any gallery that works with Nancy Holt and Andrea Zittel has my vote. Why? Because taking on a land artist and an installation-based artist in this economy is not for the faint of heart. I have immense respect for the support they’ve given to their artists across the decades. (spruethmagers.com)
GLADSTONE Gallery
Moving down to Chelsea … it’s rare not to be blown away by the exhibitions Gladstone produces. They work with many installation artists, like Matthew Barney and LaToya Ruby Frazier, and it always feels like they’ve given them carte blanche. Thomas Hirschhorn’s “Concordia, Concordia” exhibition from 2012 will always stay with me. (gladstonegallery.com)
JACK SHAINMAN Gallery
Jack Shainman has introduced me to many artists who are now household names but weren’t when they first showed their work, like Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Kerry James Marshall. Their new space in Tribeca is also a must-see. (jackshainman.com)
KURIMANZUTTO
While I’m familiar with some of Kurimanzutto’s artists, having even visited a few of their studios, I always go there knowing I’ll walk out with a new artist “crush.” I trust them with my eyes closed. (kurimanzutto.com)
MATTHEW MARKS Gallery
If “quiet luxury” were a gallery, it would be Matthew Marks. Powerful and subtle works by Vija Celmins and Luigi Ghirri are shown with “punchier” installations by Robert Gober or Laura Owens. (matthewmarks.com)
Paula Cooper Gallery
My favorite contemporary artists are split between Paula Cooper and Marian Goodman. Conceptual but accessible, the works Paula Cooper exhibits will lure you in with their form and leave you with their message. I always come out with my brain fed. (paulacoopergallery.com)
BORTOLAMI
Moving further downtown … the Tribeca gallery, in my opinion. It’s a staple of the neighborhood. Their exhibitions are always visually striking and intellectually stimulating. (bortolamigallery.com)
Magenta Plains
One of the most exciting and accessible younger galleries. A few of the artists I met at the beginning of their careers now work with Magenta, so they clearly have great taste! (magentaplains.com)
MARGOT SAMEL
An exciting young dealer, Margot Samel has introduced me to many new artists. The space is small, but it feels like a first step in what will become a lasting legacy. (margotsamel.com)
Marian Goodman Gallery
A force tranquille (tranquil strength) of the gallery world. Like Paula Cooper, Marian Goodman has developed one of the most powerful rosters with coherence and bravery. There simply isn’t one bad artist there. (mariangoodman.com)
Mendes Wood DM
Beautiful works and a great space. They’re like a really good radio station: you don’t necessarily know the songs, but they always hit, and you can’t help but Shazam. (mendeswooddm.com)
