in Frieze New York | 03 MAY 24

Madragoa Wins the Focus Stand Prize at Frieze New York 2024

The Portuguese gallery is awarded for its solo presentation by Lisbon-born Sara Chang Yan

in Frieze New York | 03 MAY 24

Portuguese gallery Madragoa has been announced as the winner of this year’s Focus Stand Prize at Frieze New York 2024. The Lisbon art space was fêted for its solo presentation of the work of Sara Chang Yan. Focus is supported by Stone Island.

Founder of Madragoa, Matteo Consonni, said: “It’s our first year at Frieze New York and participating in the Focus section has been a great success. We’re delighted with the reaction to our solo presentation of Sara Chang Yan and honored to receive this year’s Focus Stand Prize.”

Sara Chang Yan, Alinhamentos #31, 2023. Acrylic plaster, acrylic paint, cut-out-removal incision on constructed wooden plane. 111 × 114 cm
Sara Chang Yan, A​​​​​​linhamentos #31, 2023, Acrylic plaster, acrylic paint, cut-out-removal incision on constructed wooden plane, 111 × 114 cm. Courtesy of Madragoa

Chang Yan says of her work, “I’m drawing something real and open, not a solid. I draw a situation that is whole and infinite. I draw a reality that is being discovered.” 

The recipients were selected by a jury comprising Manuela Moscoso (Executive Director and Chief Curator, Center for Art, Research and Alliances) Jose Esparza Chong Cuy (Director and Chief Curator at Storefont for Art and Architecture) and Liz Munsell (Curator of Contemporary Art at The Jewish Museum). 

Central Galeria and Mitre Galerie were also given honorable mentions for their respective presentations of Carmézia Emiliano and davi de jesus nascimento.

About Madragoa’s Focus Presentation

Madragoa’s solo project by Portuguese artist Sara Chang Yan marks the evolution of the series “Alinhamentos.” Embracing the expansion of drawing beyond paper, she delves into video, sound, and spatial installations, encapsulating the intrinsic essence that motivates the act of drawing. Residing on the remote island of Pico in the Azores, and identifying as a queer individual of Chinese origins, Chang Yan's art serves as a profound tool to make visible an inner investigation, to express a mystical relationship of the human being with the natural landscape, their common essence, and to subvert ideological and social hierarchies. Explore the works on Frieze Viewing Room here.

About the Focus section

Curated for the first time by Lumi Tan, the Focus section, supported by Stone Island, includes galleries aged 12 years or younger from New York City and across the world.This year’s section offers, says Tan, “a chance to recognize innovators who have long represented stories and perspectives overlooked by dominant culture.” Find out more.

Focus is sponsored by Stone Island, whose subsidy, in addition to Frieze’s existing support, enables galleries to participate in the fair and ensures that Focus remains a place to discover new talent.

Further Information

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Frieze New York is supported by global lead partner Deutsche Bank, continuing over two decades of a shared commitment to artistic excellence.

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