The Affordable Art Fair NYC Fall 2025 edition returned to the Starrett-Lehigh Building from September 17–21. The spectacular event hosted 85 local, national, and international galleries, and presented thousands of contemporary artworks priced for every budget, from a wallet-friendly $100 to $12,000.
A clear thread throughout many of this year’s gallery presentations is a commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives, whether through cultural identity, gender, or neurodiversity. Many of the artists showcasing work engage deeply with personal and collective narratives, exploring memory, home, displacement, resilience, and social issues – very much aligned with Queer Art Hub’s mission of widening access to art and the diversity of artists’ perspectives.
A major highlight for us was engaging with the stunning work of renowned gay painter Patrick Webb from LA’s SAB Gallery. Webb is celebrated for his representational narrative paintings, particularly his exploration of gay life, identity, and the enduring effects of the AIDS crisis.
The Fall 2025 fair showcased some of his profound explorations of the self and community from his “Burdens of Punchinello” series. We were particularly drawn to pieces that tackled issues of visibility and societal structures, such as the companion pieces Observing (2010-12) and Observed (surfer)(2010-12).
And Nuclear Family (2010-12) is reminiscint of his 1983 with the same title, which offers a historical and often ironic counter-narrative to the mid-century ideal. By presenting a queer perspective on domestic life early in his career, Webb challenged monolithic definitions of “family” this year and offered a profound statement on forging one’s own path—a key tenet of LGBTQ+ art.
Beyond the highlight of Patrick Webb’s work, the fair also continued its commitment to emerging talent through the Fellowship Program, supporting Harsh Collective and Warnes Contemporary as new New York arts organization fellows.
Other key programming and partner highlights included:
CITYarts: Pieces for Peace: The project featured artworks by youth and professional artists, successfully generating reflection on the meaning of peace.
We Belong by Arts Gowanus: This powerful exhibition, Celebrating Brooklyn’s Diverse Roots, successfully reflected the rich cultural heritage that shapes the borough.
Check out these links:
Patrick Webb’s Instagram (@patrickwebb115)
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