Downtown Gallery Closes, Another Draws Controversy in New York Art Scene

Meanwhile, the High Desert Art Fair scales up in California

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Artnet News reports on the closure of the 1969 Gallery in Tribeca, New York, as well as controversy surrounding the new nonprofit Space ZeroOne gallery in the same neighborhood. The article also covers the growing High Desert Art Fair in Pioneertown, California, and other art world gossip.

Why it matters

The closure of 1969 Gallery and the controversy around Space ZeroOne highlight the challenges facing independent art galleries in New York City, where rising rents and gentrification have forced many out of business. The growth of the High Desert Art Fair, meanwhile, reflects a broader trend of art events moving outside of major urban centers to more remote, scenic locations.

The details

1969 Gallery, a champion of emerging artists, closed its Tribeca space after the building's owner decided to sell. Founder Quang Bao plans to start a residency program in Barcelona and eventually reopen 1969 in New York. Meanwhile, the new nonprofit Space ZeroOne in Tribeca has drawn criticism from the Korean Cultural Alliance for Palestine, which argues that the gallery's backer, the Hanwha Cultural Foundation, is "art washing" the work of its parent company, a major South Korean arms manufacturer. The group is calling on artist Michael Joo to cancel his upcoming exhibition at Space ZeroOne. In contrast, the High Desert Art Fair in Pioneertown, California is expanding, partnering with local institutions and businesses to create a full weekend experience for attendees.

  • 1969 Gallery opened in the Lower East Side in 2016 and moved to Tribeca in 2020.
  • Space ZeroOne opened in Tribeca late last year.
  • The High Desert Art Fair is returning for its second edition on March 28-29, 2026.

The players

Quang Bao

Founder of the now-closed 1969 Gallery in New York.

Eng Tay

Artist and gallerist who owned the building that housed 1969 Gallery.

Gabrielle Richardson

Co-founder of the itinerant Ward Gallery, which has become a fixture of New York's Downtown art scene.

Michael Joo

Artist scheduled to have an exhibition at the controversial Space ZeroOne gallery in Tribeca.

Nick Fahey

Co-founder of the High Desert Art Fair in Pioneertown, California.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I didn't want to squash the rumors.”

— Quang Bao, Founder, 1969 Gallery (Artnet News)

“The future will favor those who are comfortable letting tradition go and find new ways of being.”

— Gabrielle Richardson, Co-founder, Ward Gallery (Artnet News)

“Hanwha thinks Korean artist communities and their consumers are fools.”

— KCAP spokesperson (Artnet News)

“It's easier to get a collector from Malibu to go to Joshua Tree for the weekend than it is to get them to come into Hollywood on a Saturday.”

— Nick Fahey, Co-founder, High Desert Art Fair (Artnet News)

“If you smile too much in the art world, no one's going to take you seriously. I really resented that comment—being kind and good to people matters.”

— Allison Thorpe, Joshua Tree resident and Sutton PR (Artnet News)

What’s next

The High Desert Art Fair is set to return for its second edition on March 28-29, 2026 in Pioneertown, California, featuring an expanded lineup of 20 galleries.

The takeaway

The closure of 1969 Gallery and the controversy around Space ZeroOne highlight the challenges facing independent art spaces in New York City, while the growth of the High Desert Art Fair reflects a broader trend of art events moving to more remote, scenic locations outside of major urban centers.