July 18, 2026 | Art & Culture
NOMAD HAMPTONS: HIGHLIGHTS
installation photos Ivan Erofeev (Courtesy of NOMAD)
Rather than occupying conventional fair halls, NOMAD has built its reputation as a travelling micro-fair staged inside historic villas, landmark hotels and culturally significant buildings—making architecture as central to the experience as the works themselves. Following editions in St. Moritz, Monaco, Venice, Capri and Abu Dhabi, it made its U.S. debut this summer at The Watermill Center in the Hamptons (25–28 June 2026).
Founded in 1992 by theatre director and artist Robert Wilson, The Watermill Center is recognised as a unique space where architecture, landscape and artistic experimentation converge. Over four days, galleries, gardens and open-air installations became one continuous exhibition, dissolving the boundaries between art, design and landscape.
1- Gio Ponti × Robert Wilson: Correspondence
Among the fair's most thoughtful exhibitions, Correspondence explored the creative dialogue between Gio Ponti and Robert Wilson through drawings, ceramics, archival materials and collectible design, revealing unexpected parallels between two visionary figures.
2- Fields of Vision by Rachel Hayes, presented by Giorgio Armani
Installed across the South Lawn, Rachel Hayes' large-scale textile intervention invited visitors to sit, picnic and inhabit the artwork itself. Rather than functioning as a sculpture to observe, it became a landscape to experience.
3- The Oman Collection by Gaetano Pesce
Among the highlights was Gaetano Pesce's final exploration of material and nature. Presented by Kalei NYC in collaboration with the Gaetano Pesce Estate, The Oman Collection brought together the Oman Chair and the monumental Oman Throne—a tribute to Oman's frankincense tree translated into Pesce's unmistakable sculptural language.
4- Gallery FUMI
As always, London's Gallery FUMI delivered one of NOMAD's most refined presentations, bringing together works by Max Lamb, Charlotte Kingsnorth, Rowan Mersh and Jeremy Anderson, among others. Throughout the exhibition, craftsmanship and material experimentation remained in constant dialogue.
5- Lola Montes – Flower Flame, presented by Ashlee Harrison
Presented by New York-based Ashlee Harrison, Flower Flame introduced another contemporary voice to NOMAD Hamptons' multidisciplinary programme, adding to the fair's dialogue between art, design and material experimentation.
6- Botanical Series by Sydney Albertini, presented by Sisley Paris
Sydney Albertini's imagined botanical landscapes brought colour and spontaneity to The Watermill Center, blurring the line between memory, travel and fantasy. Presented by Sisley Paris, the installation became one of the fair's most uplifting moments.
7- Sorgin Gallery
Where Light Becomes Form explored Brazilian modernism through works by Joaquim Tenreiro, Jorge Zalszupin, Hugo França, Rodrigo Simão and jewellery by Charo Casteres, placing landscape, light and materiality at the centre of the conversation.
8- UNNO Gallery & K'AB JUUN
Mexico City and New York-based UNNO Gallery & K'AB JUUN presented Entre Orígenes, an exhibition exploring how traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve through contemporary design. Bringing together works by designers and artists from across Latin America, the presentation celebrated material knowledge, cultural memory and the enduring dialogue between heritage and innovation.
9- Collectors Lounge by Jessica Gersten Design
More than a VIP lounge, Jessica Gersten's installation became one of the social centres of NOMAD. Layering collectible furniture, artisanal materials and works by Maison Gerard, John Salibello, Espasso and Nader Gammas, it reflected the fair's domestic rather than institutional spirit.
10- The Future Perfect
The Future Perfect once again demonstrated why it remains one of the leading voices in contemporary collectible design. Works by Chen Chen & Kai Williams and John Hogan explored material innovation through sculptural furniture, glass and functional objects.
11- Eric Firestone Gallery
One of the fair's strongest gallery presentations paired Almo Talud's vividly coloured paintings with Torben Gammelgaard's expressive ceramic sculptures, creating an engaging dialogue between folklore, humour and identity.
12- GLIF – Altered Heritage by Habif Mimarlık
Representing Istanbul, Habif Mimarlık's GLIF project reimagined historical furniture through architectural interventions in marble, brass, leather, stainless steel and wood. A thoughtful exercise in preserving material memory while giving heritage objects an entirely contemporary presence.
13- Maison Gerard
Blending French Art Deco with contemporary collectible design, Maison Gerard presented one of the fair's most elegant displays, where historical furniture, lighting and contemporary works shared the same refined visual language.
14- Todd Merrill Studio
Presented as a salon-style installation, Todd Merrill Studio brought together contemporary design and fine art through works by Laura Facey, John Procario, Draga & Aurel and others, closing the fair with one of its most accomplished design presentations.
15- J. Lohmann Gallery
New York-based J. Lohmann Gallery presented a refined selection of contemporary decorative arts, bringing together works in ceramics, glass and metal by an international roster of artists. The presentation highlighted material innovation while remaining deeply rooted in craftsmanship.
