Drawing Now Paris

Drawing Now Paris: Contemporary Drawing in the Spotlight

Drawing Now Paris was born in 2007 out of the passion and vision of Christine Phal, who recognized the potential of contemporary drawing as a medium in its own right, still underrepresented in the art fair landscape. By creating the first European fair exclusively dedicated to drawing, she opened up a unique space for artists who make drawing the core of their practice.

The fair quickly established itself as a European benchmark, attracting leading galleries and specialized collectors from around the world. Today, Drawing Now Paris is the largest event globally dedicated to contemporary drawing, bringing together over 70 international galleries and approximately 300 artists each edition.

The Carreau du Temple: A Showcase for Drawing

The fair is held at the Carreau du Temple, in the heart of the Marais district, in Paris's 3rd arrondissement. This former 19th-century covered market, fully renovated and inaugurated in 2014, offers a remarkable architectural setting – a metal frame, a luminous glass roof – perfectly suited for presenting works on paper. The modular space allows for fluid scenography that invites strolling and discovery.

The Thousand Expressions of Drawing

Drawing Now Paris embraces drawing in all its diversity: line, watercolor, ink, pastel, collage, printmaking, but also digital drawing, video drawing, performance drawing, and installation. The fair covers fifty years of creation, from historical drawings of the second half of the 20th century to the most contemporary practices, offering a unique panorama of the medium's evolution.

A Demanding Curatorial Program

Drawing Now Paris stands out for its ambitious curatorial approach. The fair is organized around several sections:

• Master Now: Established galleries presenting benchmark artists in contemporary drawing
• Process: A section dedicated to creative processes and experimental approaches
• Curiosity: A discovery space for the most unique proposals

Conferences, performances, guided tours, and awards complete the program, making Drawing Now Paris much more than just a commercial fair: a true place for reflection on contemporary drawing.

A Lasting Impact on the Drawing Market

In less than twenty years, Drawing Now Paris has profoundly transformed the perception and market of contemporary drawing. The fair has helped establish drawing as a major medium in contemporary art, alongside painting, sculpture, and photography. It has enabled many artists to find an audience and collectors, and has encouraged the opening of specialized galleries and dedicated drawing collections worldwide.