International Fine Arts Consortium (IFAC)
A New Model for Art in the 21st Century
Founded in 1996, the International Fine Arts Consortium (IFAC) is more than just a gallery—it’s a curatorial think tank, creative incubator, and agency bridging the material and cybernated art worlds. With a semi-nomadic approach and a broad global network, IFAC is redefining how art is exhibited, experienced, and collected in an era of constant transformation.
From New York’s Lower East Side to Athens, Greece, and beyond, we embrace tradition while pioneering the future—blending physical exhibitions with cutting-edge digital strategies. Our platform empowers emerging artists, fosters innovation, and cultivates a global dialogue that extends far beyond the white cube**.
A Legacy of Innovation
Founded by conceptual artist Lee Wells, IFAC began as a experimental space and has since evolved into an influential force in contemporary art. What started as IF Gallery / Imperfect Fluids Arts Collective in Chicago grew into an expansive, global network dedicated to pushing artistic boundaries and reimagining the role of curatorial practice.
From early guerrilla happenings at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in the '90s to the groundbreaking Perpetual Art Machine (2006)—an interactive video art installation and online community portal that united over 2,000 international artists and engaged tens of thousands in an open, democratic curatorial experiment that transformed audiences into active participants in the artistic process—IFAC has consistently been at the forefront of cultural shifts.
Through this ongoing evolution, IFAC has collaborated with leading figures and institutions worldwide, gaining access to important platforms and audiences that amplify our vision for the future of art.
Beyond the Traditional Gallery
IFAC thrives on experimentation, embracing artistic risk and unconventional approaches to curation. By fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations and integrating new media, we push the limits of what an exhibition space can be.
IFAC is not confined to four walls—we operate on a hybrid physical-digital model, embracing Bruce Lee’s philosophy:
"Be like water—adaptable, fluid, and ever-changing."
Our multiple exhibition spaces in New York (2012) and Athens (2015) act as dynamic urban hubs, while our expanded digital presence ensures art flows freely across borders. Through longstanding partnerships with Artsy, 1stDibs, and ArtCloud, we connect collectors and curators in real time to a curated mix of emerging and established talent, redefining how art is discovered, exchanged and acquired.
Sustainability & The Future of the Art Market
As the art world expands into virtual reality, AI-generated works, and NFT ecosystems, IFAC remains at the vanguard—curating exhibitions that challenge perceptions of ownership, authorship, and the evolving relationship between humans and technology.
The traditional gallery model is obsolete. IFAC is built for resilience and sustainability, adapting to market shifts, integrating new revenue models, and fostering long-term artistic success rather than short-term transactions.
The rise of AI, blockchain, and digital art—now a multi-billion-dollar market—has rewritten the rules of engagement, and IFAC is at the forefront of this shift.
Championing Emerging Artists
Beyond traditional markets, IFAC is committed to accessibility—expanding opportunities for underrepresented artists and fostering a truly global creative exchange. Through our digital platforms, IFAC ensures that innovation in art remains open to all, not just a privileged few.
At its core, IFAC is about amplifying voices that shape the future. Our network fosters collaboration, experimentation, and sustainability, ensuring that art remains a powerful force for cultural evolution, bridging the wisdom of the past with the possibilities of the future.
More Than a Gallery—A Catalyst for Change
As thought leaders at the intersection of art and technology, IFAC actively shapes the discourse that defines the industry's future. Through exhibitions, symposiums, and collaborations with forward-thinking institutions, we contribute to the evolution of contemporary artistic practices and the market surrounding it.
IFAC is not just a place to show art; it’s a space to create, connect, and disrupt.
We don’t just anticipate the future of art—we actively shape it.
“Avant-garde doesn’t give up.” —Asgar John
Neither do we.
Want to be part of the future? Let’s talk.