Established in 1979, the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) has members across six continents and is the leading voice for fine art photography dealers. Its flagship event, The Photography Show, is the world’s longest running exhibition dedicated to photography. This year, the fair returns to Park Avenue Armory to unveil a diverse presentation of work that reflects the fluid and dynamic nature of lens-based art. Visitors can expect to see new and emerging talent alongside pioneering figures whose work shaped the medium throughout the 20th century. The line-up is as exciting and varied as the industry itself, with numerous displays running alongside talks hosted by thought leaders in the art and culture space, insightful walkthroughs and educational events.
Across more than 60 galleries, The Photography Show hosts creatives from around the world, including Andorra, Argentina, Germany and the UK. The upcoming iteration of the fair emphasises emerging artists, young galleries and new curatorial approaches, placing them in dialogue with canonical photographers and legacy institutions. Ksenia Malafeeva, presented by Form Gallery, creates minimalistic and abstractionist styles and sees the camera as a “method of exploring, noticing and perceiving the world.” Another artist making waves in the contemporary scene is Tania Franco Klein. The Mexican pratitioner, brought to The Photography Show by Yancey Richardson Gallery, centres her focus on modern anxieties that come from living a life online. Her saturated images are a reminder of the power of photography to analyse and critique present-day problems and lifestyles.
Elsewhere, institutions give audiences the opportunity to encounter work from household names. Bruce Silverstein Gallery is one such example; this year, the institution’s focus is on the artists who sought to redefine the photographic medium by exploring new concepts and techniques. Included in their presentation is Edward Weston’s (1886 – 1958) Nude, Charis (1936). The shot is one of the most reproduced and iconic images of the 20th century and depicts a naked woman, arms wrapped around her legs, while she sits on a blanket in bright sunlight. Andrew Smith Gallery, meanwhile, showcase how photographers play a vital role in documenting communities. The establishment displays the work of Zig Jackson (b. 1957), whose photographs of contemporary Native American issues saw him become the first Indigenous American to be awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2021. Gilman Contemporary foregrounds the tireless work of Nick Brandt, whose series relate to the destructive impact humankind has on both the natural world and each other. Together, these displays look back at a rich and varied history, whilst also envisioning bold new futures.
The four-day event has a packed programme, with an extra day added to reflect the expanded offering. The 2025 Discovery Section provides viewers the opportunity to interact with new institutions, exploring fresh approaches to curation, whilst the Opening Night Party will include the award ceremony for the AIPD Award. This year, the prize goes Anne Havinga, Estrellita and Yousuf Karsh Chair of Photography at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston and Karen Haas, Lane Senior Curator of Photographs at the MFA, Boston. The annual honour is given to visionaries who have spent their lives committed to promoting and fostering a deeper understanding of fine art photography. Visitors will also have the chance to hear from thought leaders in a series of talks, walkthroughs and educational events, with valuable insights into how creatives are pushing the boundaries of photography.
The Photography Show remains an integral part of the cultural calendar. This year’s edition showcases the innovative and established in equal measure, highlighting the rich tradition of lens-based art and spotlighting the artists that are reinterpreting it for a new era. Attendees are sure to be reminded of the bold ingenuity and unwavering honesty of those who work behind the lens – and confident that with this new generation of talent, the medium is in safe hands.
The Photography Show is at The Park Avenue Armory 23-27 April 2025: aipad.com
Image credits:
2. Zig Jackson, Entering Zig’s Indian Reservation: Golden Gate Park Buffalo Paddock 1997 © 2025 Zig Jackson / Artists Rights Society New York.
1&3. Edward Weston (1886-1958) Nude (Charis), 1936 Initialed and dated on mount recto Gelatin silver print Credit: Edward Weston Archive, Center for Creative Photography, Courtesy of Bruce Silverstein Gallery.
4. Dag Alveng, Water Pipes, Vemork, 2020-2021. Courtesy of Deborah Bell Photographs.
5. Giada Randaccio Skouras-Sweeny, Scala dei Turchi, 2026. Courtesy of Ilaria Quadrani Fine Arts.
