Sotheby's And Independent's Unlikely Partnership

The Breuer Building, New York, May 16, 2020. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images.

The Independent 20th Century art fair is about to move. Starting in 2026, the fair will partner with Sotheby’s and take place inside the auction house’s new headquarters in the Breuer Building in New York. This partnership will give the fair a larger, more prominent space. For those unaware, the Independent 20th Century art fair is an event where galleries show and sell art, often focusing on overlooked historical artists striving to redefine the historical art canon. Sotheby’s, however, is a very large luxury goods auction house whose new headquarters happens to be the Breuer Building, which is a celebrated modern piece of architecture. 

Independent founder Elizabeth Dee says that “This is more than a new venue location, it’s a symbol of how we wish to imagine unforgettable exhibitions of the 20th Century…” showing excitement for the new venue and the opportunity it holds to expand the fair in size and reach, with help from Sotheby’s, whose connections to collectors and the public will bring the fair to a bigger stage.

However, not everyone is thrilled with Sotheby’s involvement. Some think that it is not a smart move for Independent to associate with a big auction house like Sotheby’s, given their mission. It seems like a conflict of interest for Independent, which is celebrated for its curations and care to bring to light under-recognized artists to work with Sotheby’s, which, put lightly, is market-driven. There is a fear that market demands and prestige will overshadow the previously celebrated curatorial integrity.

Honestly, I wasn’t that bothered by Sotheby’s involvement. For me, what stood out most was the venue itself. The Breuer Building is such an iconic, striking space, and the idea of seeing the Independent 20th Century unfold across those galleries feels exciting in its own right, given the current political climate where galleries and institutions are increasingly under pressure about what they can show. I found it reassuring that Independent secured a home that not only has architectural prestige but also the capacity to really highlight the kind of underseen artists the fair is committed to. If anything, I see the move as an opportunity and a way for those artists and movements to be presented in a setting that commands attention, rather than being sidelined. 

I do, however, also think that the hesitation and skepticism aren’t completely unwarranted. Sotheby’s is a massive player in the art and luxury goods market. And having that kind of reputation is bound to raise concerns about commercial interests potentially overshadowing curatorial integrity.

In summary, I think both things can be true. It’s understandable to worry about what it means for an art fair to associate itself with such a powerful market force, and it’s also okay to feel excitement about the possibilities of the Breuer Building as a stage for overlooked artists. I’m choosing to focus on the chance this gives those works to be seen in a setting that matches their importance. But it does leave me wondering, can a collaboration like this truly balance curatorial vision with market power, or will one inevitably outweigh the other?

Sources

Schneider, Tim. "Independent 20th Century Was Built to Counteract the Hype Cycle. The Trade's Downturn Is Its Biggest Test." The Art Newspaper, 6 Sept. 2024, https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/09/06/independent-20th-century-fair-report-expanding-modernist-canon. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.

"Independent 20th Century Announces New Destination at Sotheby’S at the Breuer." Independent, 8 Sept. 2025, www.independenthq.com/news/independent-20th-century-announces-new-destination-at-sothebys-at-the-breuer. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.

"Sotheby’S and Independent Announce Partnership." Artforum, 9 Sept. 2025, www.artforum.com/news/sothebys-independent-announce-partnership-1234735168/. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.