The Global Blue-Chip Powerhouses
These mega-galleries have unparalleled resources and represent the most established artists, often financing the ambitious, large-scale projects seen at events like the Venice Biennale and Documenta.
Hauser & Wirth
Zurich, London, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Monaco, and moreRepresents a vast roster of historical estates and contemporary titans whose work is a fixture of major biennials, from Phyllida Barlow to Rashid Johnson.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Mark Bradford, Pipilotti Rist, Anri Sala, George Condo
David Zwirner
New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Los AngelesA powerhouse with a critically rigorous program; consistently places its artists, from established figures to new stars, in key institutional shows.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Kerry James Marshall, Stan Douglas, Yayoi Kusama, Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Gagosian
New York, London, Paris, Geneva, Hong Kong, and moreThe ultimate blue-chip gallery, its immense influence and roster of superstars means its artists are often central to biennial narratives.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Anselm Kiefer, Theaster Gates, Takashi Murakami, Georg Baselitz
Pace Gallery
New York, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Geneva, Los Angeles, and moreBalances a roster of canonical artists with contemporary figures, and its recent expansion into performance and new media has aligned it with biennial trends.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Trevor Paglen, Torkwase Dyson, Song Dong, Adam Pendleton
White Cube
London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, SeoulA dominant force since the 1990s, the gallery has been instrumental in the careers of the YBAs and continues to support artists making large-scale, institution-ready work.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Doris Salcedo, Ibrahim Mahama, Tracey Emin, Anselm Kiefer (shared)
Thaddaeus Ropac
Salzburg, Paris, London, SeoulA leading European gallery known for its serious, historically-informed program and for representing major figures of American and German art.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Georg Baselitz, Adrian Ghenie, Imran Qureshi, Antony Gormley
Lisson Gallery
London, New York, Shanghai, Los Angeles, BeijingA pioneer of Conceptual and Minimalist art, its program has always aligned with the critical and intellectual currents of biennials.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, Laure Prouvost, Rodney Graham
The Critical Tastemakers & Trendsetters
These galleries are renowned for their curatorial vision and for representing artists who consistently define the zeitgeist. Their rosters are a reliable predictor of who will be in the next major biennial.
Marian Goodman Gallery
New York, ParisThe gold standard for intellectual and political contemporary art for decades. Representing an artist here is often a precursor to a Golden Lion.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Steve McQueen, Tino Sehgal, Amar Kanwar, Julie Mehretu
Gladstone Gallery
New York, Brussels, Rome, SeoulA gallery with a sharp critical eye, representing artists who are both intellectually rigorous and formally inventive, making them biennial favorites.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Arthur Jafa, Anicka Yi, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Philippe Parreno
Sprüth Magers
Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New YorkKnown for its powerful roster of female artists and its deep engagement with photography and conceptual art, making it a biennial staple.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Hito Steyerl, Barbara Kruger, Rosemarie Trockel, Cyprien Gaillard
Victoria Miro
London, VeniceA London powerhouse with a diverse, international roster of artists who are consistently featured in major exhibitions.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Isaac Julien, Chris Ofili, Yayoi Kusama, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami
Galerie Chantal Crousel
ParisA leading Parisian gallery with a reputation for discovering and supporting conceptually-driven international artists early in their careers.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Melik Ohanian, Jean-Luc Moulène, Clément Cogitore, Haegue Yang
kurimanzutto
Mexico City, New YorkThe most influential gallery in Latin America, it was founded by artists and has been instrumental in launching its roster into the global biennial circuit.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Gabriel Orozco, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Minerva Cuevas, Damián Ortega
Lehmann Maupin
New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, LondonKnown for its global perspective from its inception, representing key artists from Asia, Latin America, and Africa who are biennial regulars.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Do Ho Suh, Kader Attia, Cecilia Vicuña, Lee Bul
Goodman Gallery
Johannesburg, Cape Town, LondonAfrica's most powerful gallery, it has been a crucial platform for artists confronting apartheid and its legacy, making its artists vital voices in global conversations.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: William Kentridge, Alfredo Jaar, Hank Willis Thomas, Kapwani Kiwanga
Sadie Coles HQ
LondonA key London gallery since the YBA era, known for its sharp, contemporary program and for representing artists with major institutional careers.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Sarah Lucas, Martine Syms, Monster Chetwynd, Raymond Pettibon
Regen Projects
Los AngelesA pillar of the Los Angeles art scene, its roster includes many of the most influential artists of the last 30 years.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Wolfgang Tillmans, Gillian Wearing, Theaster Gates, Elliott Hundley
Greene Naftali
New YorkA highly respected gallery known for its critically sharp, often conceptually difficult program that frequently prefigures institutional trends.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Michael Krebber, Rachel Harrison, Paul Chan, Jacqueline Humphries
David Kordansky Gallery
Los Angeles, New YorkHas become a major LA powerhouse, nurturing a new generation of artists, particularly painters and sculptors, who have become biennial stars.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Jonas Wood, Lauren Halsey, Shara Hughes, Rashid Johnson
Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
New York, Los AngelesRepresents a roster of internationally acclaimed artists known for large-scale, technically complex installations perfect for biennial settings.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Olafur Eliasson, Sarah Sze, Haim Steinbach, Lisa Oppenheim
Galerie Lelong & Co.
New York, ParisHas a long history of representing major international artists and estates with a focus on politically engaged work from Latin America and beyond.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Alfredo Jaar, Ana Mendieta, Nalini Malani, Barthélémy Toguo
Marianne Ibrahim
Chicago, Paris, Mexico CityIn just over a decade, has become the leading global gallery for artists from Africa and the African diaspora, with a stunning record of placing them in major biennials.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Amoako Boafo, Zohra Opoku, Ayana V. Jackson, Peter Uka
The Brazilian & Latin American Champions
These galleries are cornerstones of the Brazilian and broader Latin American art scene and essential bridges to the international stage.
Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel
São Paulo, Rio de JaneiroA foundational gallery in Brazil, it represents multiple generations of the country's most important artists, making them regulars at the São Paulo and Venice Biennales.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Rivane Neuenschwander, Leda Catunda, Adriana Varejão, Ernesto Neto
Galeria Luisa Strina
São PauloOne of the oldest and most respected contemporary art galleries in Latin America, instrumental in the careers of many legendary Brazilian artists.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Laura Lima, Renata Lucas, Cildo Meireles (historical), Marepe
A Gentil Carioca
Rio de Janeiro, São PauloFounded by three artists, this gallery embodies the spirit of Rio. It's a crucial launchpad for a younger generation of Brazilian artists onto the global stage.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Vivian Caccuri, Maxwell Alexandre, Arjan Martins
Mendes Wood DM
São Paulo, Brussels, New YorkA Brazilian gallery that has achieved meteoric international success, known for its distinctive aesthetic and for championing artists who engage with materiality and history.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Solange Pessoa, Paulo Nazareth, Castiel Vitorino Brasileiro, Sonia Gomes
Galeria Nara Roesler
São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, New YorkA major Brazilian gallery with a strong international presence, representing both historical masters and contemporary forces.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Vik Muniz, Tomie Ohtake (estate), Isaac Julien (in Brazil)
OMR
Mexico CityA key player in the Mexico City scene for decades, representing a mix of established and emerging artists who are active internationally.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Pia Camil, Candida Höfer, Rubén Ortiz Torres
The Incubators & Launchpads
These galleries are known for their risk-taking and for discovering artists early. An artist's first show here is often a sign of a major career to come.
Andrew Kreps Gallery
New YorkKnown for discovering emerging talent and fostering artists who go on to become biennial regulars, with a reputation for conceptually rigorous programming.
Casey Kaplan Gallery
New YorkA gallery with a distinctive perspective, known for its consistent ability to identify and nurture artists who later gain institutional recognition.
Anton Kern Gallery
New YorkEstablished in 1996, the gallery has consistently championed artists with unique visions who often go on to major museum shows and biennials.
Bortolami Gallery
New YorkFounded in 2005, known for its innovative Artist/City program that pairs artists with unconventional exhibition spaces across the US.
Chapter NY
New YorkA small but influential Lower East Side gallery known for identifying emerging talent early in their careers.
47 Canal
New YorkA groundbreaking gallery known for its political engagement and for representing artists who explore technology, economics, and identity.
Bridget Donahue
New YorkFounded in 2015, quickly established as a key space for artists exploring contemporary conditions, with many going on to major institutional recognition.
Reena Spaulings Fine Art
New York, Los AngelesAn artist-run gallery that challenges traditional gallery structures and has been influential in identifying and promoting conceptual artists.
François Ghebaly
Los Angeles, New YorkA gallery with a distinctive program that has grown from its Los Angeles roots to become an important platform for emerging and mid-career artists.
The Modern Institute
GlasgowFounded in 1998, a powerhouse in the UK scene that has been instrumental in launching Scottish and international artists onto the global stage.
Galerie Neu
BerlinA Berlin gallery known for its conceptual rigor and for representing artists who engage with the legacies of institutional critique and conceptual art.
Esther Schipper
Berlin, Paris, SeoulOriginally founded in 1989, known for its intellectually rigorous program with deep roots in conceptual art, and a history of representing artists who become biennial regulars.
Pilar Corrias
LondonFounded in 2008, known for its forward-thinking program and for identifying artists who go on to major international recognition.
Herald St
LondonA key London gallery founded in 2005, known for its thoughtful program that has helped launch many artists into international careers.
Carlos/Ishikawa
LondonFounded in 2011, quickly established as one of London's most exciting galleries, with a knack for identifying artists who become major institutional figures.
High Art
ParisA gallery founded in 2013 that rapidly became a significant player in the Paris scene, known for its critically engaged program.
Société
BerlinFounded in 2010, a Berlin gallery that quickly became known for its conceptually driven program and its support of artists who explore digital culture.
More Global & Regional Leaders
These galleries provide crucial connections between regional art scenes and the global biennial circuit, championing artists from diverse backgrounds and geographic regions.
Stevenson
Cape Town, Johannesburg, AmsterdamA leading gallery from South Africa that has expanded its reach to Europe, instrumental in bringing African artists to global attention.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Zanele Muholi, Robin Rhode
Sfeir-Semler Gallery
Beirut, HamburgA pioneering gallery with spaces in the Middle East and Europe, showcasing conceptual art from the Arab world on the international stage.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Walid Raad, Akram Zaatari
The Third Line
DubaiA crucial gallery in the Middle East, founded in 2005, that has been instrumental in bringing artists from the region to global attention.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Hayv Kahraman, Lamya Gargash
Vitamin Creative Space
GuangzhouAn experimental space in China that works with artists who challenge conventional boundaries, many of whom have become significant on the international circuit.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Cao Fei, Danh Vo
STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery
SingaporeA unique institution that combines gallery spaces with print and paper-making facilities, collaborating with international artists on special projects.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Haegue Yang and many others via collaborations
Kukje Gallery
Seoul, BusanA leading Korean gallery founded in 1982 that represents both established Korean masters and international contemporary artists.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Haegue Yang, Park Seo-Bo
Blum & Poe
Los Angeles, New York, TokyoFounded in 1994, the gallery has been particularly important in introducing Japanese artists to international audiences.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Yoshitomo Nara and others
Galerie Peter Kilchmann
Zurich, ParisA Swiss gallery with a strong focus on politically engaged work from Latin America and Europe.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Monica Bonvicini and others
Sean Kelly Gallery
New York, Los AngelesFounded in 1991, known for its intellectually rigorous program spanning conceptual art, photography, and performance.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Marina Abramović, Dawoud Bey, Idris Khan
Massimo De Carlo
Milan, London, Hong Kong, ParisA leading Italian gallery founded in 1987 that has expanded internationally, with a diverse program of established and emerging artists.
Galerie Eva Presenhuber
Zurich, Vienna, New YorkFounded in 2003, the gallery has built a reputation for its strong program of international contemporary artists.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Ugo Rondinone, Tschabalala Self
Jack Shainman Gallery
New YorkA crucial gallery for major African and African American artists, with a program that emphasizes global diversity.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: El Anatsui, Nick Cave, Hank Willis Thomas
Sikkema Jenkins & Co.
New YorkA New York gallery known for its politically engaged program and support of diverse artists.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Kara Walker, Jeffrey Gibson
Metro Pictures
New York (closed 2021)Its legacy is immense, having represented artists who defined the Pictures Generation and continue to be major forces in contemporary art.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Cindy Sherman, Robert Longo
Gavin Brown's enterprise
New York (closed 2020)Perhaps the most influential "tastemaker" gallery of its generation, its former roster continues to dominate major exhibitions.
Key Artists with Biennale Presence: Arthur Jafa, LaToya Ruby Frazier
The Biennial 100™ Galleries represent the most influential art spaces that have shaped the global biennial landscape through their support of innovative artists and ambitious projects from 2015-2025.