This episode features a special roundtable conversation ahead of Independent 2024, the fair’s 15th anniversary edition. Andrew Russeth, an editor at Artnet News, speaks with Elizabeth Dee, CEO and founder of Independent, and Matthew Higgs, founding curatorial advisor, about the major milestones through the 15-year history of the fair.

Artist Joel Mesler makes a special guest appearance looking back at his live painting sessions for Independent in 2019, when he created portraits of visitors at the fair to benefit White Columns. Mesler returns to Independent this year to restage the memorable presentation in honor of the 15th anniversary.

Later in the episode, Russeth and Dee speak with Forrest Arakawa-Nash, executive director of Contemporary Art Library, and art dealer Jay Gorney about The New York Gallery History Project, a major new digital archiving initiative co-organized by Independent and Contemporary Art Library.

Chapters:

1:25 - 15 Year History of Independent and Major Milestones: a conversation with Andrew Russeth, Elizabeth Dee and Matthew Higgs.

35:53 - A special guest appearance with artist Joel Mesler

54:30 - The New York Gallery History Project: a conversation with Andrew Russeth, Elizabeth Dee, Forrest Arakawa-Nash and Jay Gorney.