The Carnegie International Tests What “We” Still Means in a Fractured World

The 59th edition of the Carnegie International, the oldest survey of contemporary art in the United States, opens at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, featuring 61 artists and collectives from around the world and 36 newly commissioned works. Curated by Ryan Inouye, Danielle A. Jackson, and Liz Park, the exhibition is titled “If the word we,” developed in collaboration with writer Haytham el-Wardany, and for the first time partners with local institutions including the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Kamin Science Center, Mattress Factory, and the Thelma Lovette YMCA to engage different segments of the city’s community.

Exhibition | Hayv Kahraman, 'What cannot be said will be wept' at Pilar Corrias, Conduit Street, London, United Kingdom

Hayv Kahraman presents her solo exhibition 'What cannot be said will be wept' at Pilar Corrias gallery on Conduit Street in London. The show features new works by the Iraqi-born artist, known for her figurative paintings that explore themes of displacement, memory, and the female body.

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and Christie's Unveil 'The Meeting Ground: Scenes from the KNMA Collection' - Christie's

The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in New Delhi and Christie's London have announced a major institutional exhibition titled 'The Meeting Ground: Scenes from the KNMA Collection,' running from 16 July to 21 August 2026 at Christie's King Street. The show brings together modern and contemporary works alongside folk and indigenous art from South Asia, curated by Akansha Rastogi with a team of curators. It features artists such as M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Zarina Hashmi, and Jangarh Singh Shyam, and is part of KNMA's ongoing international programme.

Christie's presents SLG Forever a special selling exhibition in partnership with the South London Gallery raising vital funds in its 135th anniversary - Christie's

Christie's is partnering with the South London Gallery (SLG) for a special selling exhibition titled 'SLG Forever,' running at Christie's London from 5 to 25 June 2026 and online until 30 September. Over 25 renowned artists—including Firelei Báez, Tracey Emin, Frank Bowling, Antony Gormley, and Yinka Shonibare—have donated works to raise funds for the SLG's 135th anniversary campaign, which aims to collect £2 million. The exhibition coincides with London Gallery Weekend and features artists with strong ties to the SLG, many of whom have had solo shows or studios nearby.

"One of the most dramatic Biennales": 11 unmissable art shows to see at Venice

Theo Christelis reports from the opening week of the 2024 Venice Biennale, describing it as one of the most dramatic editions in recent memory. Key events include the death of main curator Koyo Kouoh and German Pavilion artist Henrike Naumann, the resignation of the prize jury over the participation of Israel and Russia, a protest by Pussy Riot, and a boycott by half the participating artists. Amid the turmoil, Christelis highlights unmissable shows including the Indian Pavilion (returning after seven years), Jenny Saville at Ca' Pesaro, Michael Armitage at Palazzo Grassi, and presentations at the British, Japanese, and Saudi Arabian Pavilions.

Multidisciplinary Exhibition Opens at The Parrish

A multidisciplinary solo exhibition titled "Sanford Biggers: Drift" has opened at the Parrish Art Museum in Watermill. The exhibition was organized by Chief Curator Corinne Erni and Curator Scout Hutchinson, and was marked by a public conversation between artist Sanford Biggers and Erni. The discussion focused on Biggers' use of textiles, symbolism, and layered cultural references.

Venice Biennale 2026 Roundup

The 61st Venice Biennale, titled "In Minor Keys" and curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, opened in May 2026 amid significant turmoil. The Austrian Pavilion features Florentina Holzinger's performance piece "Seaworld Venice," centered on a giant bell that chimes hourly. The biennale has been marked by the death of its curator, the resignation of the international jury over the inclusion of Russia and Israel, protests by Pussy Riot and the Art Not Genocide Alliance, and the cancellation of the South African Pavilion over Gabrielle Goliath's "Elegy," which honors murdered women including a Palestinian poet. The US Pavilion's state-sponsored offerings have also drawn criticism.

Clark Art Institute to Exhibit Priceless Art Donated by Tavitian Foundation

The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, announced an upcoming exhibition titled “An Exquisite Eye: Introducing the Aso O. Tavitian Collection,” on view from June 13, 2025, through February 21, 2027. The show features approximately 150 works from the Tavitian Collection, a major private collection of European art assembled by the late collector and philanthropist Aso O. Tavitian. Spanning c. 1450–1850, the exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, drawings, and decorative arts by artists such as Jan van Eyck, Jean-Antoine Houdon, and Elizabeth Louise Vigée-Lebrun. The collection, comprising 331 objects, was donated to the Clark and will eventually be housed in a new wing designed by Selldorf Architects, set to open in 2028.

In Minor Keys A Cacophony At 61st Venice Biennale – Miranda Carroll

The 61st Venice Biennale, titled 'In Minor Keys,' opened with a central exhibition curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, who died in 2025. The show features 110 artists and collectives, realized by a team of five curators known as 'la squadra di Koyo.' The exhibition spans the Giardini and Arsenale venues, with works including Otobong Nkanga's living facade installation, Theo Eshetu's dying olive tree, and Nick Cave's vibrant sculptures. Poems and quotes by Refaat al-Areer, Etel Adnan, Toni Morrison, and Ben Okri punctuate the spaces, encouraging visitors to pause and reflect.

Don’t Miss: Giles Duley’s “Distortion / Memory / Resilience” at Sutton Tower

Photographer and storyteller Giles Duley has opened a two-week exhibition titled “Distortion / Memory / Resilience” at Sutton Tower on the Upper East Side of New York. The show features his powerful images documenting life during war, alongside artistic touches such as wooden school desks filled with artwork by Ukrainian children. Duley, who lost two legs and one arm after an I.E.D. injury in Afghanistan in 2011, continues to work actively in war zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Proceeds from the exhibition support his NGO, the Legacy of War Foundation, which has raised over $4 million since 2017 to help communities rebuild after conflict.

What not to miss from the new edition of The Phair, the photography fair in Turin

Cosa non perdere della nuova edizione di The Phair, la fiera della fotografia di Torino

The seventh edition of The Phair, a photography fair in Turin, Italy, opened on Thursday, May 21, at the Sala Fucine of the Officine Grandi Riparazioni. Founded by Roberto Casiraghi and Paola Rampini, the fair features 42 national and international galleries. Highlights include a surprising automotive partnership at the entrance, and standout presentations from Red Lab Gallery (Ezio D’Agostino and Carlotta Valente), Alberto Damian Gallery (Paolo Gioli), Roccavintage (Costanza Gastaldi), Tucci Russo (Giulio Paolini), Raw Messina (Kri Babusci), and Galleria Umberto Benappi (Ugo Mulas). Other notable artists include Arnulf Rainer, Anton Corbijn, Luigi Ontani, and Simon Starling.

Human Connection Cuts Through Technology at Focus Art Fair

Focus Art Fair, New York's only art fair dedicated to contemporary Asian art, returned for its fourth edition at Chelsea Industrial, running through May 24, 2026. The fair's theme, 'human-technology coexistence,' was explored through works such as Hwia Kim's interactive installation 'What if two eyes don't work together?' presented by LG Electronics, and pieces by the Ukrainian-born F-Twins (Anna and Valeriia Lyshchenko), who founded the Primarealism art movement in response to AI's encroachment on critical thinking. Other highlights included Annu Yadav's political installation 'This Land is Wounded' (2025) and Taezoo Park's 'Hacked Snoopy' (2025), which memorializes neglected technologies. The fair featured more than 40 galleries and presenters, with a notable appearance by Japanese pop icon Kento Senga, who shared his FiNGA character as a means of connecting with his grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's.

Finally, Culture Minister Giuli visited the Italy Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale and made peace with President Buttafuoco

Finalmente il Ministro della Cultura Giuli ha visitato il Padiglione Italia alla Biennale di Venezia 2026 e ha fatto pace con il Presidente Buttafuoco

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli finally visited the Italy Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale alongside Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, marking their first public appearance together after earlier tensions led Giuli to skip the opening ceremony. During the visit, Buttafuoco proposed that the work of artist Chiara Camoni, whose exhibition "Con te con tutto" is curated by Cecilia Canziani, should find a permanent home after the Biennale ends, sparking discussion about the future of pavilion artworks.

A Decade of Contemporary Art: Gallery Weekend Beijing Turns 10

Gallery Weekend Beijing (GWBJ) will celebrate its 10th anniversary with the 2026 edition running from May 22 to May 31, opening with three VIP days before going public on May 26. Founded in 2017, the event features curated exhibitions from 30 galleries and 10 non-profit institutions across Beijing, anchored in the 798 Art District and extending to Caochangdi and the CBD Art District. A new Academic Committee—comprising Guo Xi, Leng Lin, Tian Yuan, Xi Tao, and Yang Beichen—selected the participating galleries, with 25 returning from previous editions and five newly nominated. Highlights include institutional presentations at UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Red Brick Art Museum, and SONG Art Museum, as well as a special exhibition titled "Nirvana" by Ouyang Chun.

May we suggest the art you need to see this May?

Lifestyle Asia has published a curated list of art exhibitions and events to see in May, offering recommendations for art enthusiasts looking to explore new shows and installations during the month. The article serves as a guide to notable cultural happenings, likely highlighting both emerging and established artists across various venues.

The Holy Spirit in a Rapture of Pain

Der Heilige Geist im Schmerzrausch

Florentina Holzinger's "Pfingstspiel" (Pentecost Play) is a multi-hour performance staged across two locations in Austria—the Wiener Eislauf-Verein in Vienna and Schloss Prinzendorf—as a satellite event to her contribution to the Venice Biennale. The work features extreme physical stunts, including a performer rappelling down a hotel facade, a car drifting with Holzinger on its roof, and a crucifixion scene, all drenched in blood, pain, and religious imagery. The performance, presented only once before 700 guests as part of the Wiener Festwochen, is described as a brutal, uncompromising marathon that pushes the boundaries of live art.

Jon Cuyson on Representing the Philippines at the 61st Venice Biennale

Jon Cuyson will represent the Philippines at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 with an installation titled "Sea of Love / Dagat ng Pag-ibig." The work combines painting, sculpture, sound, and moving image into a spatial environment inspired by the logic of the sea. It features fragmented painting panels, metal hardware, cast resin mussels, and marine debris, alongside a film narrated from the perspective of mussels in Cavite City. Central to the piece is a queer Filipino time-traveling seafarer named Kerel, whose story unfolds across Cuyson's Kerel Trilogy films. The pavilion, located in the Arsenale, is curated by Mara Gladstone.

Summer in Five Exhibitions: Rothko Museum Announces New Exhibition Season

The Rothko Museum in Daugavpils, Latvia, opens its summer exhibition season on June 5, featuring five distinct shows that span photography, painting, and ceramics. Highlights include a retrospective of South African photographer Roger Ballen, known for his psychologically intense and boundary-blurring work; Chinese painter Liu Guofu’s meditative abstractions exploring entropy; Lithuanian artist Romualdas Balinskas’s shift toward abstract expression; Latvian artist Madara Tropa’s botanical paintings; and a ceramic series by Pēteris Martinsons marking his 95th anniversary. The season brings together artists from Latvia, Lithuania, China, and South Africa, curated by Aivars Baranovskis, Calvin Hui, and Tatjana Černova.

Origami dragons and a story arcade! The joy of museums aimed at children

The article profiles the Story Museum in Oxford, a family-oriented museum designed to spark curiosity in arts and culture among children. It describes the museum's interactive galleries, including Small Worlds for under-fives, the Whispering Wood filled with fables, a temporary dragon-themed exhibition co-curated with author Cressida Cowell, and the Enchanted Library that takes visitors through the history of children's literature. The author recounts her toddler's joyful engagement with the hands-on exhibits, from playing digital Pooh sticks to exploring a Narnia-inspired wardrobe.

Oceanside Museum of Art Is Growing Into Its Moment

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) in Southern California is highlighted as an intimate yet ambitious institution devoted to regional art. Founded in 1997, it has presented over 288 exhibitions focused on Southern California artists. The article details its 2026 exhibition lineup, including Kate Tova's immersive installation 'A Place to Rest (My Tired Mind)', which invites visitors to physically lie down and become part of the artwork, alongside shows by David Adey, James and Bert Hubbell, Aaron Kramer, and a printmaking survey.

Widline Cadet brings first solo U.S. show to Milwaukee Art Museum

Widline Cadet presents her first solo U.S. museum exhibition, "Currents 40: Widline Cadet," at the Milwaukee Art Museum, on view through August 9. The show features her hypnotic triptych of photographs, her debut photography book "Seremoni Disparisyon (Ritual [Dis]Appearance)," and works across photography, installation, video, and ceramic that explore Black femininity, Haitian folklore, and the immigrant experience. Cadet, born in Haiti and raised in New York, has gained prominence through residencies at the Studio Museum in Harlem and publications in The New Yorker and Aperture Magazine.

First look inside the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum reopened on May 23, 2026, following renovations to its galleries. The museum now features a new permanent exhibition titled "Story of Comics," a dedicated gallery showcasing original "Calvin & Hobbes" artwork by Bill Watterson, and an exclusive U.S. presentation of work by Chris Ware. The reopening was previewed by Ohio State Newark dean and director Matthew Smith, a comic book scholar, during a tour with curator Jenny Robb on May 20, 2026.

Who Gets to Define ‘American Art’? Inside the 2026 Whitney Biennial

The 2026 Whitney Biennial is currently on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, running from March 8 through August 2026. For the first time in the museum's history, the exhibition is co-curated by a Latina, Marcela Guerrero, who brings a new perspective to the prestigious show. Of the 56 artists featured, 16 are Latino, and the exhibition includes immersive installations with slimy green sculptures, lemongrass scents, and insect sounds, alongside works such as Leo Castañeda's video game "Camoflux: Levels & Bosses (Igapó)" and Gabriela Ruiz's "Homo Machina."

Plains Art Museum marks Smithsonian relationship with new Indigenous exhibit

The Plains Art Museum in Fargo, North Dakota, has been awarded a Smithsonian Affiliation, becoming the only institution in the state with such a designation. The partnership grants the museum access to Smithsonian programs, including artwork loans, touring exhibitions, educational resources, and professional development. The first public display of this collaboration is the new exhibit "Know Your Treaty: Wiwahokichiyapi," which opened in late April. The touring Smithsonian show, developed by the National Museum of the American Indian, examines the history of treaties between Indigenous nations and the U.S. government through photographs and text, while the museum has supplemented it with works by Indigenous artists from its permanent collection and loans.

Opening Conversation: International Surrealism from Tate

The Frist Art Museum in Nashville will host "Opening Conversation: International Surrealism from Tate" on May 21, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The event features a discussion with Dr. Matthew Gale, exhibition curator; Michael J. Ewing, Frist Art Museum associate curator; and Caroline Yates, Susan H. Edwards Curatorial Fellow, focusing on the exhibition "International Surrealism from Tate: Fifty Years of Dreams." The exhibition, drawn from the Tate's collection in the United Kingdom, presents a broad selection of paintings, photographs, sculptures, publications, and archival material that traces the long trajectory and global reach of surrealism. A live musical performance in the Grand Lobby precedes the conversation from 5:15 to 6:15 PM, and the museum remains open until 9:00 PM for gallery visits.

Archives : MAMM : Lauren Greenfield : Generation Wealth

The Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow (MAMM) presents 'Generation Wealth' by American documentary photographer and director Lauren Greenfield as part of the XII Moscow International Biennale 'Fashion and Style in Photography 2021'. The exhibition, opening May 21, 2021, includes over 200 photographs, documentary films, and interviews drawn from Greenfield's 25-year investigation into global consumer culture, wealth aspiration, and the transformation of happiness. It marks Greenfield's third exhibition at MAMM, following previous shows in 2000 and 2004.

A Landmark Show Returns, Looking for Blackness in a PersonalWay

The sixth edition of the Studio Museum in Harlem’s landmark group survey exhibition has returned, taking a deeply personal and introspective approach to exploring Blackness. The show is described as political yet inwardly focused, operating at a quieter metabolism than previous iterations, emphasizing individual perspectives over broad declarations.

BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF CANADA BRINGS TWILIGHT TO THE VENICE BIENNALE

Abbas Akhavan, born in Tehran in 1977, represents Canada at the 61st Venice Biennale with an exhibition titled "Entre chien et loup" (Between Dog and Wolf). Commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and curated by Kim Nguyen, the installation transforms the Canada Pavilion into a monumental Wardian case—a 19th-century plant transport device—converted into a greenhouse for Victoria water lilies. The lilies, native to South America and germinated at the Orto Botanico di Padova from seeds provided by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, reference their prominent display in the Crystal Palace during the 1851 Great Exhibition. The exhibition runs until November 22, 2026.

ENTRE PERRO Y LOBO CANADA LLEVA EL CREPUSCULO A LA BIENAL DE VENECIA

Abbas Akhavan, born in Tehran in 1977, will represent Canada at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 with an exhibition titled "Entre chien et loup" (Between Dog and Wolf). Commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and curated by Kim Nguyen, the Canada Pavilion is transformed into a monumental Wardian case—a 19th-century plant transport device—serving as a greenhouse for Victoria water lilies. The seeds were germinated at the Orto Botanico di Padova in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the installation will be on view until November 22, 2026.

Andy Warhol and Italy: in Milan the exhibition that reveals the unpublished face of the King of Pop Art

Andy Warhol e l’Italia: a Milano la mostra che svela il volto inedito del Re della Pop Art

A new exhibition in Milan, "Andy Warhol. Passaggio in Italia 1975-1987," explores the Pop Art icon's previously under-examined decade-long relationship with Italy. Hosted at La Galleria Crédit Agricole – Refettorio delle Stelline until June 20, the show is not a standard retrospective but a "memoir in images" reconstructing Warhol's creative intersections with Italian culture, gallerists, and cities like Naples and Milan. It features the series "Vesuvius" and "The Last Supper," alongside unpublished photographs, documents, and memorabilia from figures such as Lucio Amelio, Alexander Iolas, and Luciano Anselmino, as well as a section on Warhol's LP covers and the "Ladies and Gentlemen" series.