EXPOSÉE: Navigating Beauty and Humanity at Art Basel: A Candid Q&A with Beth Buckley
"I love things that provoke emotion — especially mixed emotions — Art Basel is that for me. The depth of creativity, humility, and humanity mixed with the pretense, judgment, and insecurities within us all."
— Beth Buckley
ART BASEL IS SUCH A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. WERE THERE ANY PIECES OR THEMES THAT PARTICULARLY RESONATED WITH YOU
THIS YEAR?
"Absolutely. There were so many pieces throughout the fair that really pulled me in. It was an incredible experience to contemplate what the artist might be trying to express and then to discover their intended message. What struck me most was how often the works I was drawn to carried a similar thread — themes of overcoming significant obstacles like childhood trauma, loss, grief, inequality, and injustice.
The collaboration between the artist’s need for expression and the emotional reaction it evokes in others — without even knowing the intended message — is profound. It’s emotional communication. Whether the emotions feel comfortable or not, we feel. And it’s in those moments, standing in front of these incredible works and talking with the artists, that I found a sense of hope. Even when their stories were dark or desperate, there was always hope for humanity."
BEYOND THE ART ITSELF, ART BASEL IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE AND THE PEOPLE IT BRINGS TOGETHER. HOW DID THAT ASPECT RESONATE WITH YOU?
"Oh, I loved it. I’m sort of known as someone who absolutely loves human beings! For me, the convention center at Art Basel felt like a beautiful safari. Even without the art, just being surrounded by humans from all walks of life is such a gift. That’s where I see the most exceptional beauty — in the people themselves.
Then, to see what those people are capable of creating and expressing through their creativity — whether they’re artists, collectors, dealers, or staff — was breathtaking. As much as I love art and walking through museums around the world, for me, it’s about the humans who create and the humans who need that beauty in their lives. That’s magic to me. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at benton buckley books, and it’s what keeps me on this journey."
YOU MENTIONED COLLABORATION BEING CENTRAL TO YOUR WORK. DID ART BASEL INSPIRE ANY NEW DIRECTIONS OR PROJECTS FOR BENTON BUCKLEY BOOKS?
"It did, in such an exciting way. Going into Art Basel, we already had plans for a 2025 launch of a really unique art series of books. But walking through those halls, I felt even more inspired. This project is all about giving these incredible talents a permanent exhibition, a permanent venue for their work.
There’s a lot of work ahead, but I couldn’t be more excited about documenting these living artists in real-time, in their authentic voices. The arts — whether it’s fine art, poetry, music, or literature — are how societies survive and ultimately thrive. And I feel even more driven to contribute to that permanence through this series."
IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE FOR YOU. IF YOU COULD SUM UP YOUR TIME AT ART BASEL IN ONE WORD OR IDEA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
"Humanity. Everything I experienced — the art, the conversations, the connections — came back to this shared sense of being human. It’s why we create, why we feel, and why we need beauty in our lives. That’s the heart of it all."
WITH SO MUCH GOING ON AT ART BASEL, MANAGING LOGISTICS CAN BE QUITE THE TASK. HOW DID YOU FIND THIS YEAR'S EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF ORGANIZATION AND NAVIGATING THE EVENT?
"You always anticipate a certain level of chaos at an event like Art Basel — the beautiful chaos of it all. But I have to say, this year had a really nice flow. The layout and space design were exceptional, making the halls so much easier to navigate compared to years past. It felt thoughtfully planned, which made a big difference.
That said, the new technology for ticketing was a bit of a challenge — maybe a little overcomplicated. I’m confident they’ll work out those kinks in the future, though. For an event of this scale, there are bound to be a few bumps, but it’s all worth it. Overall, I thought the organization this year was really well done, and it enhanced the entire experience."
BETH'S FAVORITE HIGHLIGHTS FROM
ART BASEL AND UNTITLED ART
