Exploring the Intriguing World of Miniature Art Exhibitions

In Chicago, there is a unique art fair called Barely Fair that offers a different experience compared to the grand scale of traditional art fairs. Instead of large artworks and dramatic installations, Barely Fair showcases miniature paintings, sculptures, and other works in dollhouse-sized booths at a 1:12 scale. This fair, now in its fourth year, features well-established commercial galleries and artist-run project spaces, displaying tiny creations by renowned artists such as Anish Kapoor, Barbara Kruger, Yoko Ono, and Rebecca Morris. The fair takes place during Expo, Chicago's annual international fair, and opens on April 12 at Color Club.

At this year's fair, Patient Info, a Chicago-based artist space converted from a dermatology office, is mimicking its unique setting down to tile-style flooring and shrunken-down exam chair, as well as showing works by Ingrid Olson and Jonas Müller-Ahlheim.

In 2023, the gallery Pickleman presented a tiny version of a Chicago landmark with this "mini bean" by Anish Kapoor.

Roland Miller/Barely Fair

Barely Fair began as a joke between the co-founders of the artist space Julius Caesar, but they quickly realized its potential as a serious art fair. Pictured here are a selection of booths on display in 2023.

That same year, the New York gallery Selenas Mountain showcased Juan Arango Palacios' canvases and woven works.

Roland Miller/Barely Fair

The concept behind Barely Fair started off as a playful joke among the directors of Julius Caesar, an artist-run space. However, they soon recognized its potential to become a significant event in the art world.

According to Roland Miller, co-founder of Barely Fair, the idea was to execute it to the best of their abilities, similar to how a good joke is delivered with seriousness. He noted, "There are many intricacies involved in this seemingly silly idea that we initially thought of."

After a successful first year in 2019, Barely Fair took a break for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic causing art fairs to stop. In 2022, the founders, including artists Josh Dihle and Tony Lewis and curator Kate Sierzputowski, decided to resume the fair.

"We weren't sure if anyone would remember it," Miller said. "But on the opening night in 2022, there was a one-hour wait to get into the fair."

Small but powerful

Barely Fair may focus on showcasing miniature art, but it is a big event in all other aspects. This year, 36 galleries will come together, with each booth often featuring multiple artists. While artists and galleries are in charge of creating the small works, the Barely Fair team is there to assist with installation when necessary.

Ellie Rines, the creator of 56 Henry gallery in New York City, has been showcasing her art at Barely Fair for the last two years. This year, she is featuring the artwork of Los Angeles artist Daid Puppypaws, who has created sculptures using road reflectors collected over 15 years. Rines has noticed that the smaller booths at the fair tend to attract more interest than the busier atmosphere of larger fairs.

A visitor attends the Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 on March 27, 2024 in Hong Kong, China.

At this year's fair, Patient Info, an artist space in Chicago, used to be a dermatology office. They have recreated the unique setting with tile-style flooring and a smaller exam chair. The space is showcasing artworks by Ingrid Olson and Jonas Müller-Ahlheim.

Barely Fair started as a playful idea among the co-founders of the artist space Julius Caesar. However, they soon recognized its potential as a legitimate art fair. Here is a glimpse of some of the booths showcased in 2023.

Roland Miller/Barely Fair

When discussing the experience of showcasing artwork at an art fair, she mentioned feeling concerned that viewers may not take a close enough look. She explained that by reducing the size of the artwork, it encourages a more careful examination from the audience.

"At its core, an art fair brings together a variety of art in one place, making it easy for people to experience and appreciate different artworks quickly," she explained. "I believe that Barely Fair excels in this aspect, effectively showcasing a diverse range of art to visitors."

The Ghent, Belgium-based gallery Tatjana Pieters sold out its booth last year (pictured here), which featured fish bones in 3D-printed sarcophagi by Charles Degeyter and Renaissance-inspired mini paintings by Mae Alphonse Dessauvage.

undefined —

A visitor attends the Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 on March 27, 2024 in Hong Kong, China.

Noemi Cassanelli/CNN

Related article

Despite the cooling market, collectors are still returning to Asia's biggest art fair. Barely Fair provides a more accessible opportunity for new galleries and artists to be part of Chicago's art week, attracting curators and collectors globally. It also serves as a platform for international spaces to showcase their work in the US beyond the coastal art hubs. However, for many participants, including seasoned art world veterans who have been attending art fairs for years, like Miller mentioned, it's simply a fun experience.

For 2024, the Chicago-based gallery Patron is showing a booth by Alice Tippit, ahead of a regular-sized solo show that the artist will present this fall.

Julia Fischbach, co-owner of the Chicago-based gallery Patron, finds the booth parameters to be the only restriction. She mentions that exhibiting at the fair this year with a solo presentation by Alice Tippit has been a liberating experience. The Patron booth showcases postcard-sized drawings of snakes and found feathers in custom wood boxes. Fischbach appreciates the lack of "heavy expectations" at this art fair, noting that it allows for a more playful approach.

Different artists and gallerists have taken different approaches to setting up their booths at art fairs. Some stick to the traditional gallery layout with floor sculptures and wall paintings, arranged in a way that a small visitor can easily interact with the space. On the other hand, some choose to create a more elaborate setting by adding wood wall panels, carpet, and furniture to complement the art pieces. Last year, Rines from 56 Henry gallery decided to showcase a single felt sculpture by Al Freeman on a wall - one of her unique "soft hard penises," as described by Rines.

“I think it took about one to five minutes,” she said of the installation. “There might have been some Velcro involved or something.”

The artist Amanda Ross-Ho nods to a monumental 7-foot-tall T-shirt she made in 1998 with this tiny playful version.

Roland Miller/Barely Fair

Some exhibitors have opted for more traditional gallery layouts, like this 4th Ward Project Space booth from 2022 featuring works by Michiko Itatani and Kay Hoffman.

Amanda Ross-Ho, an artist from Chicago but based in Los Angeles, is showcasing her work with the Portland gallery ILY2 at this year's fair. She is using her booth to revisit one of her early artworks and bring it full circle. In 1998, Ross-Ho started experimenting with large-scale art by creating a 7-foot-tall t-shirt with the words "LEAVE ME ALONE" in a bold font, inspired by fashion designer Katharine Hamnett's slogan tees. She has made different versions of the shirt over the years, and now her smallest version, "LEAVE ME ALONE (XXXXXS), 2024," measuring just a few inches, will be displayed in Chicago, where she first came up with the idea.

“(It’s) inverting the dynamics of making a monument at small scale,” she said, explaining that Barely Fair “happened to feel almost tailor-made” for her work.

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 21: The installation by artist Victor Ehikhamenor at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Germany can be seen in this general view. This photo was taken on May 21, 2021. After implementing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, museums and cultural spaces in Germany are now reopening their doors. Welcome back to art and culture! (Photo by Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images)

Related article

German museum worker fired after hanging his own art in gallery

Chicago has a long history of artist-run spaces and alternative models to the traditional art market and art fair system. The miniature art fair in the city reflects this unique Chicago spirit, which is something that I really appreciate.

At Barely Fair, artist Ross-Ho is offering eight wearable "LEAVE ME ALONE" shirts for sale. However, she wants to make it clear that the focus is not on sales. The artworks at Barely Fair are usually priced between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and some pieces are not even available for purchase.

Still, collectors are still enthusiastic about the works on display. Last year, Belgian gallerist Tatjana Pieters had a successful booth selling out 3D-printed pet fish sarcophagi by Charles Degeyter and mini canvasses by Mae Alphonse Dessauvage. Pieters considered it a great "trial run" for Degeyter's work and showcased him again at NADA Miami during Miami Art Week, selling out once more with larger works.

Last year, the Ghent, Belgium-based gallery Tatjana Pieters had a successful booth at the art fair. They sold out all their artworks, including fish bones in 3D-printed sarcophagi by Charles Degeyter and Renaissance-inspired mini paintings by Mae Alphonse Dessauvage. The image above shows the booth at the fair.

"The challenge is to immerse the viewer in the artist's world on a small scale," Pieters explained during our phone call. "It worked last year, and now I'm eager to see if it will work again this year."

As Barely Fair gains more recognition, the founders have been considering the possibility of taking the event to other cities and expanding its size. Regardless of how they decide to expand, Miller emphasizes that they are committed to preserving the lively essence of the fair.

"It's rare to see such strong emotions of joy in the art world. I've never been a part of anything like it before," he said. "When you experience that kind of feeling, you just want to cherish it and hold onto it."

Editor's P/S:

The Barely Fair, an art fair showcasing miniature artworks in dollhouse-sized booths, offers a refreshing and unique experience compared to traditional art fairs. Its focus on small-scale creations encourages viewers to engage closely with the art, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intricacies and details. The fair has gained significant recognition in the art world, attracting renowned artists and galleries, and providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their work.

Beyond its artistic value, the Barely Fair also embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation within Chicago's vibrant art community. Its playful concept and commitment to accessibility have made the fair a beloved event among artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts alike. As the fair continues to grow, it has the potential to become a significant force in the international art scene, representing Chicago's unique contribution to contemporary art.