From experimental processes to coded languages, Uprise Art brings together artists who challenge how we see and understand the world.
Walking through Art on Paper in New York, it is impossible not to be drawn toward the booth presented by Uprise Art. Surrounded by a diverse collection of works that explore process, materiality, language, and abstraction, the gallery’s presentation serves as a reminder that paper remains one of the most versatile and innovative mediums in contemporary art.
Founded in 2011, Uprise Art has grown from representing just eleven artists to working with more than 150 artists from around the world. Over the years, the New York-based gallery has built a reputation not only for supporting emerging and established artists but also for helping collectors integrate contemporary art into their homes, workplaces, hospitality spaces, and public environments.
During my visit to Art on Paper, I spoke with Z Chun Zan from Uprise Art about the gallery’s presentation and the artists featured in this year’s fair.
One of the standout artists on display was Boston-based artist Katrine Hildebrand, whose work challenges traditional notions of drawing and painting. Rather than relying solely on conventional mark-making techniques, Hildebrand embraces unpredictable and often volatile processes.
Her works are created through the use of fire and water, transforming paper into a site of experimentation and discovery. Burned lines become drawings, while water disperses ink in unexpected ways. The resulting compositions balance chaos and control, creating intricate visual structures rooted in what the artist describes as sacred geometry.
The tension between destruction and precision gives the work a unique energy. Each piece feels simultaneously fragile and resilient, carrying evidence of the forces used in its creation.
The gallery also presented work by Kansas City-based printmaker Laura Burman, whose practice expands the possibilities of printmaking through collage and reconstruction.
Burman begins with monoprints before cutting them into strips and fragments that are then reassembled into entirely new compositions. The process transforms individual prints into layered, one-of-a-kind works that blur the line between printmaking, painting, and sculpture.
Another notable presentation within the booth included a large-scale installation by a Bay Area artist whose work explores language, meaning, and systems of communication.
The installation appears as a continuous scroll extending across the space. At first glance, the work resembles an abstract arrangement of color and pattern. Yet beneath the surface lies a coded language created by the artist herself. Individual letters are assigned specific colors, transforming written text into visual compositions.
The original texts remain unknown to viewers, creating a fascinating tension between revelation and secrecy. The viewer understands that language exists within the work, but its meaning remains inaccessible. Instead, the focus shifts toward color, rhythm, and visual structure, inviting new interpretations and questions about how communication shapes perception.
It was this piece that initially caught my attention. The combination of intricate detail, textile-like elements, and conceptual depth created an immediate visual pull that encouraged closer inspection.
What makes Uprise Art’s presentation particularly compelling is the diversity of approaches represented within a single booth. While each artist works differently, all share a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what paper-based art can become.
Some artists embrace physical experimentation through fire, water, and material transformation. Others explore systems, language, and abstraction. Together, they create a conversation about process, perception, and the many ways artists engage with the contemporary world.
The gallery has participated in Art on Paper for approximately seven years, with only a brief interruption during the pandemic. That continued presence reflects both the gallery’s commitment to the fair and its belief in the importance of paper as a medium for contemporary artistic expression.
As the art world increasingly embraces interdisciplinary practices, Uprise Art demonstrates how galleries can serve as connectors between artists, collectors, and broader cultural conversations. Their booth at Art on Paper offers more than a presentation of individual artworks—it provides a glimpse into the evolving possibilities of contemporary art itself.
For visitors exploring the fair, Booth G5 offers an opportunity to encounter artists who transform familiar materials into vehicles for experimentation, inquiry, and discovery.
About Tarik Talk Podcast
Tarik Talk Podcast is an international arts and culture podcast hosted by artist and curator Tarik Mendes. Featuring conversations with artists, curators, museum professionals, designers, and creative leaders from around the world, the podcast explores the stories, inspirations, and experiences that shape contemporary creative practice.
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