NEW YORK — In the ever-shifting landscape of New York City’s contemporary art scene, the survival of independent, alternative spaces is an increasingly rare triumph. Yet, out of profound personal and institutional grief, resilience has taken root. Lubov, the influential gallery founded in 2016 by the late Francisco Correa Cordero, has officially entered its next chapter. Gallery staff members Mode Bonafilia and Kristen Wasik have stepped forward as the new owners and partners, determined to preserve, honor, and expand upon the unique creative sanctuary Cordero left behind. The transition follows the sudden and tragic passing of Correa Cordero this past August at the age of thirty-seven—a loss that reverberated deeply throughout the downtown arts community. Rather than letting the gallery close its doors, Bonafilia and Wasik made the immediate decision to shoulder the legacy of their late founder, ensuring that Lubov remains a vibrant home for cutting-edge contemporary artists, experimental happenings, and community discourse. Main Facts: A New Leadership Structure Under the newly formalized partnership, Bonafilia and Wasik have divided responsibilities to reflect their distinct professional strengths and their shared vision for Lubov’s future. Mode Bonafilia assumes the creative mantle with the imaginative title of "gallery dreamer." Having joined Lubov in 2025 as the director of community programming and education, Bonafilia will continue spearheading the gallery’s expansive public initiatives, educational programs, and interdisciplinary events. Kristen Wasik steps into the role of "director of directions." A seasoned veteran of the downtown New York gallery circuit—with previous tenures at esteemed institutions such as Lyles & King and CHART—Wasik served as Lubov’s director from 2023 to 2024 before returning earlier this year to help guide the gallery through its transition. Together, the duo is steering Lubov with a renewed commitment to its founding ethos: prioritizing artistic necessity over purely commercial market value. At a time when hyper-gentrification and soaring real estate costs are squeezing independent art spaces out of Manhattan and Brooklyn, Bonafilia and Wasik view the preservation of Lubov not merely as a business continuation, but as an urgent cultural necessity. Chronology: From Foundation to Transition To understand the weight of Bonafilia and Wasik’s new undertaking, it is essential to trace the trajectory of Lubov from its inception nearly a decade ago to the pivotal events of 2026. 2016: Francisco Correa Cordero establishes Lubov in New York City, quickly carving out a reputation as a welcoming, intellectually rigorous home for emerging and experimental artists. 2023–2024: Kristen Wasik serves as the gallery’s director, helping professionalize and expand its operations before stepping away briefly. 2025: Mode Bonafilia joins the gallery team as the director of community programming and education, injecting fresh energy into Lubov’s public-facing events, readings, and performance series. Kristen Wasik returns to the fold to support gallery operations. August 2026: Gallery founder Francisco Correa Cordero passes away suddenly at the age of thirty-seven, sending shockwaves through the international art community. Fall 2026: Immediately following Cordero’s passing, Bonafilia and Wasik commit to keeping the gallery alive. They officially announce their ownership partnership, structuring new roles as "gallery dreamer" and "director of directions." October 24, 2026: Lubov launches its inaugural exhibition under the new ownership—a solo presentation of work by figurative expressionist painter Michael Hafftka. Supporting Data and Institutional Context Lubov has always operated on a different wavelength than the mega-galleries dominating Chelsea and the Upper East Side. While many commercial spaces focus heavily on speculative secondary markets and high-turnover blue-chip sales, Lubov built its identity around intimacy, risk-taking, and community building. Under Cordero’s magnetic leadership, the physical space on the Lower East Side functioned less like a sterile white cube and more like a vibrant salon. It was a hub for happenings, poetry readings, live performances, and avant-garde dialogue. The gallery’s curatorial focus remains tightly curated and artist-centric. Currently, Lubov’s roster features select voices, including sculptor Bryce Kroll—who was brought aboard during Cordero’s tenure—and figurative expressionist painter Michael Hafftka. The decision to open the post-transition era with a solo exhibition by Hafftka on October 24, 2026, signals that the new leadership intends to maintain a deep respect for foundational, emotionally resonant art practices that prioritize raw creative output over commercial trends. Official Responses and Community Tributes The art world’s reaction to Correa Cordero’s passing and the subsequent takeover by Bonafilia and Wasik has been characterized by an outpouring of grief and immense solidarity. Friends, collectors, and exhibiting artists alike have stepped forward to emphasize just how singular Cordero’s presence was. Painter Kevin Tobin, who was the subject of two critically acclaimed solo exhibitions at Lubov during Cordero’s lifetime, captured the sentiment shared by many in an interview with Artnet News: "He created an atmosphere that was very magnetic. There wasn’t anyone else like him." In an official press release detailing the transition of ownership, the gallery reflected on the existential question of whether to continue operations after such a devastating loss: "At a time in which alternative spaces in New York are becoming increasingly scarce, they regard Lubov’s continuation as essential. Whether or not to continue the gallery was never a question. Under their direction, the gallery will honor Cordero’s legacy while building upon it, supporting artists who make work out of necessity rather than for market value." Bonafilia and Wasik have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that every exhibition, reading, and public program moving forward will serve as a living testament to the community-first values that Cordero championed. Implications: The Future of Independent Spaces in New York The ascension of Mode Bonafilia and Kristen Wasik at Lubov carries significant implications for the broader ecosystem of New York City’s independent art galleries. 1. The Fight for Alternative Spaces As skyrocketing rents, corporate consolidation, and shifting collector habits continue to shutter independent storefront galleries across New York, the survival of a space like Lubov is a vital victory. By proving that grassroots, artist-first spaces can survive generational and leadership transitions, Bonafilia and Wasik offer a vital blueprint for other micro-institutions navigating economic and existential precarity. 2. Sustaining a Sanctuary for Immaterial and Experimental Art Commercial pressures often force small galleries to pivot toward safe, easily marketable inventory. However, by explicitly stating their commitment to artists "who make work out of necessity rather than for market value," Bonafilia and Wasik are doubling down on Lubov’s history of hosting difficult, uncompromising, and ephemeral art forms. The continuation of public programming, educational initiatives, and performative happenings ensures that the gallery will remain an intellectual incubator rather than a mere retail storefront. 3. A Seamless Yet Dynamic Evolution Transitioning leadership after the sudden loss of a founder is notoriously difficult for small businesses, particularly in the emotionally driven art market. By dividing duties between creative expansion (Bonafilia) and operational logistics (Wasik)—both of whom are deeply trusted insiders already embedded in the gallery’s daily rhythms—Lubov has minimized structural disruption. As the gallery opens its doors on October 24 for the Michael Hafftka solo exhibition, collectors, critics, and community members will not just be viewing paintings on a wall; they will be witnessing the revival of a downtown institution. Through grief, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to art made for art’s sake, Mode Bonafilia and Kristen Wasik have ensured that Francisco Correa Cordero’s magnetic vision will continue to light up the New York art scene for years to come. Post navigation Grounded in Tradition, Aiming for Washington: Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez is Reshaping Arizona’s Political Landscape The Death of Intentionality: Why the Early 2010s Were Photography’s Golden Age—And Where We Go From Here
