expo chicago 2026 exhibitor list

Expo Chicago has announced the list of over 130 exhibitors for its 2026 edition, taking place April 9–12 at Navy Pier. The fair has been reduced by nearly 25 percent compared to 2025, with a smaller floor plan designed to foster deeper engagement. New features include a partnership with the Obama Presidential Center, whose museum director Louise Bernard will curate two sections, and the rebranding of the Exposure section as Focus, curated by Katie A. Pfohl. The Profile section will be curated by Essence Harden, and a continued partnership with the Galleries Association of Korea will bring 12 Korean galleries.

Exhibition of Emirati art in Seoul becomes a relic of pre-war UAE life

An exhibition titled 'Proximities,' featuring over 110 works by 47 UAE-based artists, opened at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) in December and closed on March 29. The show, co-curated by Maya El Khalil and SeMA's Eunju Kim, aimed to present nuanced, everyday perspectives of life in the UAE through sections organized by artist-curators like Farah Al Qasimi and Mohammed Kazem, moving beyond stereotypes of gilded excess.

technologies of relation mass moca

MASS MoCA has launched "Technologies of Relation," a group exhibition featuring 12 artists who explore the complex, non-binary relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence. Curated by Susan Cross, the show moves beyond dystopian narratives to investigate how artists can reclaim agency over corporate-produced technologies. Featured works range from Roopa Vasudevan’s hand-drawn QR codes that mimic textiles to Neema Githere’s hammock installations that literalize the concept of a digital network.

alserkal art month dubai art week expansion art dubai 2026

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is expanding its traditional Art Week into a five-week "Art Month" running from April 18 to May 18. This strategic extension includes 16 gallery exhibitions, over 100 public events, and a new commercially focused group show featuring 12 UAE-based galleries. The initiative aims to provide a more sustainable platform for the local art ecosystem, especially as the Art Dubai fair has been rescheduled to mid-May and adapted in response to regional instability.

‘Overworked’: Çağla Ulusoy in Conversation With ArtReview

ArtReview and Dirimart London are hosting a conversation between artist Çağla Ulusoy and ArtReview editor Fi Churchman about Ulusoy's book 'Overworked', which features 83 selected abstract paintings and accompanying collages. The event takes place on 6 June 2026 at Dirimart's London gallery, coinciding with the group exhibition 'Colour is the Place', which includes Ulusoy's work alongside artists Hashel Al Lamki, Tala Worrell, and Berke Yazıcıoğlu. Ulusoy's practice integrates lived experiences from various cultures into abstract compositions using materials like acrylic, oil paint, sand, and wax.

Open Letter Published by Activist Group Calling for Venice Biennale to Eject Israel Signed by Nearly 200 Participating Artists and Curators

An activist group called Art Not Genocide Alliance has published an open letter demanding the Venice Biennale eject Israel from this year's exhibition. The letter has been signed by nearly 200 artists, curators, and arts workers participating in the 2026 Biennale, including members of the main exhibition's curatorial team and contributors to several national pavilions. The letter accuses Israel of genocide and apartheid, and references the 2024 Biennale where Israel's pavilion remained closed due to similar protests.

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation has announced an exhibition titled "Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers." The show will feature the work of contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, known for his multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, painting, photography, and installation.

the first gulf quinquennial in the uae argues for a less is best approach to group shows

NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery has launched its first Gulf Quinquennial, titled "Between the Tides," featuring around 30 artists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The exhibition presents a coherent selection of videos, installations, paintings, and traditional record-keeping practices, aiming to deepen and complicate the cultural narrative of the Arabian Peninsula by highlighting its diversity, linguistic interactions, and migrant labor.

UAE art guide: 13 museum and gallery exhibitions to see, from Picasso to Chilean artist Jorge Tacla

The article presents a curated guide to 13 current museum and gallery exhibitions across the UAE, including shows at Louvre Abu Dhabi, Foundry in Dubai, Sharjah Art Foundation, and Alserkal Avenue. Featured artists range from Pablo Picasso to regional talents like Shamsa Al Omaira, Abdulla Elmaz, and Ahaad Alamoudi, with exhibitions spanning sculpture, photography, and installation art. The guide is published during Alserkal Art Month and ahead of Art Dubai.

'All the Lands from Sunrise to Sunset' at Green Art Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 18 Apr–1 Jun 2026

Green Art Gallery in Dubai is hosting 'All the Lands from Sunrise to Sunset,' a group exhibition featuring Alla Abdunabi, Fatma Al Ali, Alessandro Balteo-Yazbeck, and Michael Rakowitz. The show explores the persistence of imperial logics and extractive economies through diverse media, including text-based collages, reconstructed artifacts made from food packaging, and archival interventions. By examining acts of naming, erasure, and symbolic circulation, the artists treat empire not as a historical relic but as a mutating contemporary condition.

The Kyrgyzstan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Builds a Bridge Between Two Cultures

Il Padiglione del Kirghizistan alla Biennale di Venezia getta un ponte tra due culture

Alexey Morosov presents "BELEK" at the Kyrgyzstan Pavilion of the 61st Venice Biennale, a project inspired by the mountainous landscapes, glaciers, and brutalist dams of Kyrgyzstan. Combining video, sculpture, painting, and sound, Morosov explores water as a key resource for the future and a deep cultural memory of Central Asia, linking the region's hydro-engineering transformations with the nomadic heritage of the Kyrgyz people. The project centers on the traditional equestrian game Kok-Börü, which Morosov describes as constitutive of Kyrgyz identity, and features centaur-like figures made from raw earth used in local dwellings.

Defying Soft Power: “Proximities” at SeMA

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is hosting "Proximities: Contemporary Art from the United Arab Emirates," a major survey featuring over 110 works by 47 artists. Co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the exhibition eschews traditional chronological narratives in favor of a dense, non-linear exploration of Emirati identity. The show is organized into thematic chapters led by artist-curators, featuring works ranging from Shaikha Al Mazrou’s precarious sculptures to Raja’a Khalid’s olfactory installations.

Art Dubai 2026 first look: What to expect at the 20th fair

Art Dubai returns to Madinat Jumeirah for its 20th edition, running from Friday to Sunday with a free preview day on Thursday. The fair features a more concentrated layout than previous years, with gallery booths, institutional exhibitions, public art, poetry readings, DJ sets, performances, and multimedia installations gathered in the main conference area. Notable participants include co-founder John Martin, who returns as a gallerist nearly 20 years after helping launch the event, and Emirati artist Rami Farook, whose sand-built booth presents works reflecting on Dubai and the Gulf. Gallery One from Ramallah draws attention with Palestinian artist Amjad Ghannam's reinterpretations of Pablo Picasso, inspired by his experience as a former political prisoner.

June 2025 Exhibitions -

ArtDog Istanbul's editors have curated a selection of standout exhibitions opening across Istanbul in June 2025. Highlights include 'A Day’s Story, A Lifetime’s Truth' at Galeri 77, a joint show by Bayram Demir and İlker Kayalı exploring personal memory and collective mythology; solo exhibitions by Jorinde Voigt ('365 Seasons') and Mustafa Hulusi ('Breathing In the World') at Dirimart's two locations; 'Extraordinary Minas' at Pera Museum, celebrating its 20th anniversary with Kütahya tile and ceramic works by Minas Avramidis; and Ali Kazma's 'Landscapes of the Mind' at Istanbul Modern, alongside shows by Nermin Er at Galeri Nev Istanbul and Pelda Aytaş at Gülden Bostancı.

Palette of flowers: Nada Al Barazi hosts ‘Gardens’ solo exhibition at Intent Gallery

Internationally acclaimed artist Nada Al Barazi presented her solo exhibition 'Gardens' at Intent Gallery in Dubai from May 9 to 13. The show featured a contemplative body of work exploring nature as an emotional and introspective experience, with layered textures, expressive color, and organic forms that invite viewers to reflect on memory, transformation, and renewal. Al Barazi, a holder of the UAE Golden Visa from Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, is recognized for her contributions to contemporary art in the Emirates and globally.

parties frick collection young fellows ball 2

The Frick Collection hosted its annual Young Fellows Ball on the Upper East Side, a black-tie gala that drew a polished crowd of cultural figures, designers, and philanthropists. The event featured the theme 'Travel Through Time,' with guests exploring the museum's galleries filled with masterworks and Gilded Age furnishings, and highlighted the exhibition 'Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture.' Benefit chairs included Natalie Bloomingdale, Ivy Getty, and Alexander Hankin, while Frick leadership Axel Rüger and Aimee Ng were in attendance, alongside comedian Marcello Hernández and political candidate Jack Schlossberg.

parties whitney art party artists downtown

The Whitney Museum of American Art hosted its sold-out 2026 Art Party, a fundraiser organized by the Whitney Contemporaries and co-chaired by comedian Ego Nwodim, artists Martine Gutierrez and Emma Safir, patrons Steven Beltrani and Alexander Hankin, and stylist Micaela Erlanger. The event transformed the museum's ground floor into a dance floor with DJ sets by the Dare and artist Raúl de Nieves, attracting a crowd that included First Lady of New York Rama Duwaji, Martha Stewart, artists Sasha Gordon and Frank WANG Yefeng, and curators Chrissie Iles and Christiane Paul.

manar abu dhabi

The second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi has launched under the theme “The Light Compass,” featuring 22 site-specific light-based installations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain through January 4, 2026. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the exhibition includes works by Emirati and international artists such as Pamela Poh, DRIFT, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, and KAWS, with venues spanning Jubail Island, Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases, and Mina Zayed. A parallel performance program and educational lectures accompany the installations.

kaws drift rafael lozano hemmer artists participating abu dhabis public light art exhibition

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has organized the second edition of its public light art event, titled “The Light Compass,” for the 2025-26 season. Curated by a four-person team led by artistic director Khai Hori, the event features 15 installations by international and Emirati artists, including DRIFT, KAWS, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Ammar Al Attar, and Christian Brinkmann. Works are displayed across multiple sites: Jubail Island and Souq Al Mina in Abu Dhabi, and Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis in Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include DRIFT’s biometric dome and drone show, KAWS’s giant “Companion” figure holding a glowing orb, and site-specific pieces by Lozano-Hemmer and others.

The Joy of Discovery at 1-54 Art Fair

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, now open at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan, presents a smaller edition than previous years but continues to offer unexpected, tactile works. Highlights include Rommulo Vieira Conceição's Pop-art-inspired wall installation at Aura gallery, Kendra Frorup's mixed-media piece at the Current: Baha Mar Gallery, and Eymric Moderne's gold-leaf and glass bird painting at TM Arthouse. The fair also features posthumous works by Marcel Gotène at Loeve and Co and Sophia Bounou's enigmatic paintings at Blond Contemporary.

Solidarity and shared optimism take centre stage at 1-54 fair in London

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London, held at Somerset House until 19 October, showcases a wide range of African and diaspora artists. Galleries from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and beyond present works that highlight both historical and contemporary practices, with notable sales and institutional interest already reported. The fair coincides with Tate Modern's Nigerian Modernism exhibition and the opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, creating a moment of heightened global attention on African art.

Art as Collective Responsibility: Hestia Artistic Journey Grant Programme Winners

The Hestia Artistic Journey National Grant Programme (Artystyczna Podróż Hestii) has announced the winners of its third edition, selecting eight projects from nearly 200 applications across Poland. The programme, subtitled "Opening Time" (Czas otwarcia), supports artists and cultural institutions planning exhibitions that address collective responsibility for global issues. Winners include "Ślady pamięci" by Fundacja Szałfynster in Katowice, exploring memory and dementia; "Głodne drzewa/Thirsty Trees" by Przemek Branas at the Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź, critiquing human greed through eucalyptus metaphors; and "Tymczasowa pława" by Norbert Delman at the State Art Gallery in Sopot, an installation on ecocide using a sunken fishing boat and amber. Each project will present an exhibition between July 2026 and the last quarter of 2027, with increased funding due to exceptional submissions.

Revolutionary-era themes shape 2026 Chesterwood exhibitions, workshops and performances

Chesterwood, the historic summer home and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, has announced its 2026 season opening on May 15. The programming will center on themes of patriotism and American history, specifically highlighting the Revolutionary era through a dedicated exhibition on the "Minute Man" statue. The season will feature a diverse array of workshops, performances, and gallery shows hosted across the 122-acre National Trust for Historic Preservation site.

KAWS to take centre stage at second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi

The second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi, a public art initiative focused on light-based works, will launch on 1 November 2025, featuring 23 installations across four locations including Jubail Island and Al Ain. High-profile street artist KAWS will present a large-scale work showing his signature COMPANION figure reclining while lifting a lit moon. Other participating artists include Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou, Dutch duo DRIFT, Maitha Hamdan, Ammar Al Attar, and Hamburg-based Christian Brinkmann, who will debut an interactive audio-visual piece called Floral Resonance.

Farah Al Qasimi: Psychic Repair

Emirati photographer and musician Farah Al Qasimi presents her solo exhibition "Psychic Repair" at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia, running from January to June 7, 2026. Curated by SCAD Museum Associate Curator Brittany Richmond, the show explores self-presentation and consumerism through staged domestic interiors, vinyl works, framed photographs, and music videos. Key pieces include "Beauty Salon" (2024), "Aquarium" (2024), "Clothing Store" (2023), and "Painting and Astroturf" (2023), which appropriate signifiers of the attention economy. The exhibition is strategically positioned to respond to Savannah's history as a port city built on trade in cotton, indigo, rice, and enslaved people, with the museum itself occupying a former railway depot made of Savannah Gray brick produced by enslaved laborers.

At 1-54 New York 2026, Afro-Brazilian art takes centre stage for the first time

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York (May 13–17, 2026) will debut a curated section titled '1-54 Presents: Brazil Beyond Brazil,' focusing exclusively on Afro-Brazilian art and artists. Organized by Brazilian curator Igor Simões, the section features works by ten Black Brazilian artists—including Ana Claudia Almeida, Rebeca Carapiá, and Rommulo Vieira Conceição—presented by leading Brazilian galleries such as Almeida & Dale, Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel, Nara Roesler, and Aura. The initiative draws on archival research, reinterprets modernist legacies, and challenges narrow narratives around Afro-Brazilian art, highlighting the cultural links between Africa and Latin America.

Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture Opening

tselinny center of contemporary culture opening

The Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture has opened in Almaty, Kazakhstan, launching its program with a powerful performance titled 'Barsakelmes.' The event, created by a collective of Kazakh artists, musicians, and poets, used traditional and contemporary elements to summon the ecological and cultural trauma of the Aral Sea's destruction under Soviet rule, framing decolonization as a process of remembrance, rethinking, and advancement.

1-54 New York Lines-Up More Than 20 Exhibitors, with a Special Focus on Brazil

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has announced its exhibitor lineup for its New York edition, set for May 13–17 at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea. More than 20 galleries will participate, including a mix of returning and first-time exhibitors from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas, with the fair running concurrently with Frieze New York and NADA New York.

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair highlights Afro-Brazilian art

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair will return to New York's Starrett-Lehigh Building from May 13 to May 17, 2026, for its 12th edition. Featuring over 20 exhibitors from 12 countries, the fair introduces a curated section titled "1-54 Presents: Brazil Beyond Brazil," led by Brazilian curator and professor Igor Simões, marking the fair's first focus on Afro-Brazilian art and the cultural connections between Africa and Latin America. New participants include Adegbola Gallery (Lagos), Aura (São Paulo), and Black Pony Gallery (Bermuda), alongside returning exhibitors such as 193 Gallery and Galerie Myrtis.

In Minor Keys: The 61st Biennale di Arte Venezia Opens Under Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025).

The 61st Biennale di Arte Venezia opens under the posthumous curatorial vision of Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025), the late Cameroonian-born curator who reshaped contemporary African and diasporic art discourse. The central exhibition, spanning the Giardini and Arsenale, features 111 participants including artists, collectives, and artist-led organizations from across the Global South, with works in textiles, film, sculpture, and performance that interrogate colonialism, migration, and ecological repair. The Biennale is also marked by a pronounced presence of African and diasporic narratives across national pavilions, including several first-time pavilions from the African continent.