Defiant women and daring paintings: Emin, Webster and Wylie create a buzz in the UK's exhibition calendar

The UK art scene is currently dominated by major survey exhibitions from three prominent female artists: Rose Wylie, Tracey Emin, and Sue Webster. Rose Wylie, at 92, makes history as the first woman painter to occupy the Royal Academy’s main galleries, while Tracey Emin presents a raw, thematic survey at Tate Modern reflecting on her life before and after cancer. Simultaneously, Sue Webster marks her institutional solo debut at Firstsite, showcasing a transition from her famous collaborative practice to deeply personal oil painting.

‘An open letter to the nation’: National Gallery of Art reckons with America at 250

The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. has launched "Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience," a major exhibition marking the United States' 250th anniversary. Featuring over 100 works on paper by 95 artists, the show eschews traditional patriotic tropes in favor of a nuanced, self-critical look at the nation's history. Organized around the themes of land, community, and freedom, the exhibition juxtaposes iconic imagery from artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Thomas Moran with provocative contemporary perspectives from Zanele Muholi and Carrie Mae Weems.

As Cuban crisis deepens, diaspora artists have a message of compassion

Artists Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares are showcasing a salvaged, bullet-ridden Cuban migrant vessel at Miami’s Piero Atchugarry Gallery. The exhibition, titled 'Exile', serves as a visceral focal point for the escalating humanitarian crisis in Cuba, where citizens face systemic collapse, starvation, and political imprisonment. Through the concept of 'embodiment' rather than mere empathy, the artists confront the harrowing 93-mile journey across the Straits of Florida undertaken by those desperate to escape the island's dictatorship.

5 Highlights of Art Düsseldorf

5 Highlights der Art Düsseldorf

The Art Düsseldorf contemporary art fair has opened its latest edition, showcasing a diverse range of works that balance humor with urgent political and global themes. Highlights from the fair include Christian Jankowski’s monumental sculptures based on children's clay models at Galerie Crone, Julian Charrière’s environmentally conscious installations at Dittrich & Schlechtriem, and Jody Korbach’s satirical paintings that reference German art history and pub culture at Petra Martinez.

V&A East architecture review – from ceramics to codpieces, this is a honey-coloured treasure trove of human ingenuity

V&A East has officially unveiled its new museum building in London’s Olympic Park, a striking architectural addition to the city's burgeoning 'East Bank' cultural district. Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, the structure features a faceted, honey-colored concrete exterior inspired by the intricate folds of a sleeve in a Vermeer painting and the structural tailoring of Cristóbal Balenciaga. The interior houses a diverse collection of human ingenuity, ranging from Leigh Bowery’s sequined codpieces to historical ceramics, all organized within a framework that emphasizes the process of making.

‘Designed to disorient’: LA art museum unveils enormous concrete gallery, 20 years in the making

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has unveiled the David Geffen Galleries, a $724 million concrete structure designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. Spanning Wilshire Boulevard, the building features 110,000 square feet of elevated gallery space characterized by curving walls and massive windows. The project marks the culmination of a nearly 20-year revitalization effort led by director Michael Govan, replacing several older buildings with a single, fluid architectural statement.

Joan Semmel Is Doing Her Best Work at 93

Nonagenarian painter Joan Semmel is experiencing a significant career renaissance, marked by a major survey exhibition at the Jewish Museum and a concurrent solo show at Alexander Gray Associates. At 93, Semmel continues to work from her Soho studio, where she has lived for over fifty years, producing unflinching figurative paintings that explore the female body, aging, and the gaze. The article traces her trajectory from her early education at Cooper Union and a formative period in Madrid to her pivotal role in feminist art history.

An Insider’s Guide to Dallas Art Fair Week

The Dallas Art Fair returns for its 18th edition from April 16–19, 2026, featuring over 90 international galleries at the Fashion Industry Gallery. Director Kelly Cornell highlights key participants including blue-chip mainstays like Perrotin and OMR alongside newcomers like James Fuentes, who will present works by Dallas Art Prize winner John McAllister. The week also features the Dallas Invitational, a boutique fair at the Rosewood Mansion, and major institutional shows at the Nasher Sculpture Center and The Warehouse.

MoMA Delivers with First American Marcel Duchamp Retrospective in 50 Years

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has launched a comprehensive retrospective of Marcel Duchamp, marking the first major American survey of the artist's work in five decades. The exhibition follows a chronological path through Duchamp’s radical career, featuring early pen-and-ink drawings, his transition through Cubism and Dadaism, and his revolutionary "readymades" like the urinal titled Fountain. Highlights include the rare gathering of all three versions of Nude Descending a Staircase and documentation of his final, secretive installation, Étant donnés.

What to See This Spring at Museums Across the U.S.

Major museums across the United States are preparing to launch a diverse array of exhibitions for the spring season. Highlights include a comprehensive Marcel Duchamp retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, an exploration of Etruscan civilization at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and a major fashion-focused exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Theme and artists announced for British Art Show 10

The 10th edition of the British Art Show, titled 'A Chorus of Strangers,' has announced its theme and a roster of over 30 participating artists. Curated by Ekow Eshun and organized by Hayward Gallery Touring, the exhibition will explore the relationship between the individual and the 'other' through three thematic lenses: 'Moments of Being,' 'Ways of Living,' and 'States of Nature.' The show is scheduled to launch in Coventry on October 2, 2025, before touring to Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield, and Newcastle Gateshead.

Theme and Artists Revealed for Ekow Eshun–Curated British Art Show 10

Organizers of the British Art Show have unveiled the theme and artist list for its tenth edition, titled "A Chorus of Strangers." Curated by Ekow Eshun, the quinquennial exhibition will launch in Coventry on October 2, 2025, before touring to Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield, and Newcastle Gateshead through 2028. The show features a diverse roster of contemporary artists including Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, Alvaro Barrington, and Precious Okoyomon, organized around three conceptual pillars: psychological, sociological, and ecological.

Reopening of the Palais de la Découverte

Réouverture du Palais de la Découverte

The Palais de la Découverte in Paris has officially reopened its doors to the public following an extensive renovation period. The institution returns with a refreshed program that bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and artistic expression, featuring a series of new installations and collaborative projects.

Gary E. Harris Exhibition To Open At Pittsford Fine Art

Pittsford Fine Art will host a solo exhibition of oil paintings by Western New York artist Gary E. Harris from May 1 through May 31, 2026. The showcase features landscapes inspired by Cape Cod and Western New York, alongside still life works that emphasize light, atmosphere, and open composition. Harris, a former creative director who transitioned to full-time painting, draws significant influence from 19th-century French Impressionism.

The 200th RSA Annual Exhibition and Big Birthday Party

The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) has announced its 200th Annual Exhibition, a landmark event running from May 9 to June 14, 2026, in Edinburgh. This bicentenary edition features a massive survey of contemporary Scottish art and architecture, including works by Academicians and selections from an open call. To celebrate the milestone, the RSA will host a "Big Birthday Party" on May 27 and has introduced three major new prizes, including the RSA Jack Vettriano Award, bringing the total prize fund to over £25,000.

This sprawling free NYC art show just opened at MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1 has officially launched "Greater New York 2026," a massive building-wide exhibition featuring over 150 works by 53 artists and collectives. This quinquennial survey, which coincides with the institution’s 50th anniversary, showcases a diverse range of mediums including large-scale installations, painting, animation, and performance art. For the first time, the exhibition was organized by the museum’s entire curatorial team, resulting in a broad cross-section of the city's contemporary creative output.

Derrick Adams: Glimpses of Black Leisure

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, is hosting 'Derrick Adams: View Master,' the first mid-career survey dedicated to the multidisciplinary artist. Featuring over 100 works spanning two decades, the exhibition includes painting, collage, sculpture, video, and performance that highlight Adams's unique visual language of pattern and color.

The Music Is Black: Frequencies of Belonging in Britain

V&A East Museum is launching its inaugural exhibition, 'The Music is Black: A British Story,' a comprehensive exploration of Black British music spanning over a century. Curated by Jacqueline Springer, the show features more than 200 objects—including instruments, fashion, and personal artifacts—alongside significant artworks by figures such as Sonia Boyce and Frank Bowling. The exhibition traces the evolution of genres from early 20th-century compositions to contemporary grime and drill, framing them as vital expressions of migration, resistance, and cultural identity.

Michaelina Wautier Finally Known by Her Name

The Royal Academy of Arts in London has launched a monographic exhibition dedicated to Michaelina Wautier, a 17th-century Brussels-based painter whose work was misattributed to male contemporaries for centuries. Despite her mastery across diverse genres—including portraiture, floral still lifes, and large-scale history paintings typically reserved for men—her identity was obscured by patriarchal societal norms and a lack of biographical documentation. The show highlights her technical brilliance, notably in works like "The Triumph of Bacchus," which was long credited to male artists due to the era's restrictions on women studying nude models.

Chaïm Kaliski’s Drawings Haunted by the Shoah Revealed in an Exhibition at mahJ

Les dessins hantés par la Shoah de Chaïm Kaliski se révèlent dans une expo au mahJ

The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme (mahJ) in Paris is hosting the first monographic exhibition dedicated to Chaïm Kaliski, a Belgian artist who began drawing at the age of 60 to process the trauma of the Holocaust. After his death in 2015, thousands of drawings were discovered in his Brussels apartment, documenting his family's history and the fate of Polish Jews in Belgium. The exhibition features 120 works that blend childlike aesthetics with haunting historical narratives, including poignant depictions of his parents' final moments at Auschwitz.

Spring Gallery Night MKE: 7 Art Exhibits to See

Milwaukee’s art scene is celebrating its seasonal renewal with Spring Gallery Night MKE, a city-wide event featuring over 60 participating galleries across neighborhoods like the Third Ward and Walker’s Point. The weekend-long program highlights diverse local talent through curated exhibitions, including Var Gallery’s "30x30x30" creative marathon, a Surrealist-inspired group show at Portrait Society Gallery, and the expansive MIAD Senior Exhibition featuring over 200 graduating students.

'10 Years LA!' at Sprüth Magers, Los Angeles, United States on 15 May–8 Aug 2026

Sprüth Magers is marking its tenth anniversary in Los Angeles with a comprehensive group exhibition titled '10 Years LA!', running from May 15 to August 8, 2026. The showcase features an extensive roster of the gallery's most influential artists, including local icons like John Baldessari and Ed Ruscha alongside international figures such as Barbara Kruger and Andreas Gursky. Since its 2016 debut on Wilshire Boulevard, the gallery has served as a vital bridge between the European and West Coast art scenes.

This Exhibition Explores How Faith Ringgold Changed the Art World

The Mandeville Art Gallery at the University of California San Diego is hosting "Faith Ringgold: Full Circle—The Teachings and Her Legacy," a comprehensive exhibition honoring the late artist and former faculty member. Curated by Mashonda Tifrere, the show features works spanning from 1976 to 2023, including Ringgold’s iconic story quilts, soft sculptures, masks, and political posters. The collection highlights her multidisciplinary approach and her commitment to centering Black American life and feminist narratives through her unique fusion of fine art and traditional craft.

Emerging Practices and New Languages: This is How Pinta Lima 2026 is Shaped

EMERGING PRACTICES AND NEW LANGUAGES THIS IS HOW PINTA LIMA 2026 IS SHAPED

Pinta Lima has announced the details for its 13th edition, scheduled to take place from April 23 to 26, 2026, at Casa Prado. Under the artistic direction of Irene Gelfman, the fair will feature 45 galleries from 15 international cities, with nearly 70% of participants arriving from outside Peru. The event is structured into five specialized sections, including the Main Section, RADAR (curated by Ilaria Conti), NEXT (curated by Juan Canela), and dedicated spaces for video and special projects.

'Cigars!' exhibit at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts captures a fading history

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts has launched "Cigars! Photography, Industry and Identity," a new exhibition by local photographer Zack Wittman. The show documents the architectural remnants of Tampa’s historic cigar industry, which once boasted over 200 factories but has dwindled to approximately 25 standing brick buildings. Through a collaboration with the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, Wittman captured both preserved and derelict structures that define the unique personality of Ybor City.

GRACIELA ITURBIDE BRINGS HER MAJOR RETROSPECTIVE TO BERLIN

C/O Berlin is hosting "Eyes to Fly With," the first major retrospective of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide in the German capital. The exhibition features approximately 250 works spanning over five decades, ranging from her iconic documentary series of the Seri and Juchitán people to her more introspective studies of Chicano culture in Los Angeles and the personal belongings of Frida Kahlo at Casa Azul.

‘Greater New York’ Brings the Noisy, Messy Vitality of 53 Artists

MoMA PS1 has unveiled the latest iteration of 'Greater New York,' its signature quinquennial survey showcasing the diverse output of artists living and working across the five boroughs. This year’s edition features 53 artists and collectives, emphasizing those who operate outside the mainstream spotlight or whose contributions have been historically overlooked. The selection leans into a gritty, experimental aesthetic that captures the complex social and physical realities of contemporary life in the city.

The MEGA Fair-Exhibition Opens in a Former Milanese Factory: Photos and 5 Must-See Booths

In ex fabbrica di Milano ha aperto la mostra-fiera MEGA. Tutte le foto e 5 stand da non mancare

The third edition of MEGA Art Fair has opened in Milan, relocating to SPAZIO PROFUMO, a former perfume factory in the Barona district. Running from April 15 to 25, 2026, the event strategically bridges Milan Art Week and Design Week, featuring over 30 international exhibitors from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Eschewing traditional booth structures, the fair utilizes a cohesive curatorial layout that integrates industrial archaeology with contemporary practices, including a dedicated video program and a section titled 'City of Glass.'

In Verona, the Palazzo Maffei Museum opens a new multifunctional space by reclaiming an ancient chapel

A Verona il museo di Palazzo Maffei apre un nuovo spazio polifunzionale recuperando un’antica cappella

Palazzo Maffei House Museum in Verona has inaugurated a new multifunctional space called "Il Monastero," following the restoration of an ancient chapel located behind the main palace. Inspired by a memory of seeing Miquel Barceló’s work in a deconsecrated Sicilian church, director Vanessa Carlon spearheaded the project to create a contemplative, intimate environment for exhibitions and educational activities. The restoration uncovered original frescoes, vaults, and columns, breathing new life into a previously neglected corner of the city's historic center.

Vian Sora: Tepe Gawra

Vian Sora’s solo exhibition "Tepe Gawra" at Bortolami Gallery marks her debut with the gallery, featuring a series of large-scale paintings that bridge ancient Mesopotamian history with contemporary Iraqi experience. The works, such as 'Celestial capsule' and 'Scarlet', utilize a complex layering process of poured acrylics and precise oil applications to explore themes of mortality, survival, and the aftermath of conflict.