Art News. Vasari Codex

article news schedule Apr 3, 2026 visibility 45 link 16 artists, 4 galleries

Megamurals, Guerrilla Girls and something rotten in the Oval Office – the week in art

The Guardian's weekly art roundup highlights several exhibitions, including Wilhelm Sasnal's politically charged paintings at Sadie Coles HQ in London, a Joan Eardley retrospective in Edinburgh, and a Guerrilla Girls show in East Sussex. It also reports on Art UK's digitization of over 6,700 UK murals, the theft of Impressionist paintings from an Italian museum, and the discovery of a stolen ancient gold helmet.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 9, 2026 visibility 31 link 17 artists, 8 galleries

Seoul Gets an Intriguing New Art Fair—Plus, a Rundown of the Latest in Asia’s Art World

The Asian art landscape is undergoing significant shifts, headlined by the launch of Hive Art Fair in Seoul, which introduces a fee-free booth model focused on B2B corporate collaborations. Major institutional moves include the appointment of Melissa Chiu as the new director of the Guggenheim Museum and the opening of the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Museum of History has reopened with a controversial thematic revamp that emphasizes Chinese heritage over colonial history.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 23, 2026 source 6 sources visibility 37 link 8 artists, 1 gallery

Turner prize shortlist announced

The Turner Prize shortlist for 2026 has been announced, featuring four artists: Simeon Barclay, nominated for his spoken-word performance 'The Ruin'; Tanoa Sasraku, recognized for her solo exhibition 'Morale Patch' exploring the political history of oil; Kira Freije, shortlisted for her first major solo show 'Unspeak the Chorus'; and Marguerite Humeau, nominated for her exhibition 'Torches'. The shortlist was selected by a jury chaired by Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, who praised the diverse range of work spanning installation, performance, and sculpture. An exhibition of the shortlisted artists will be held at Teesside University's Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (Mima) from September 2026 to March 2027, with the winner announced on December 10, 2026, receiving £25,000.

newspaper The Guardian Also: Artforum, Artnet News, ArtReview open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Jun 2, 2025 visibility 24 link 10 artists, 6 galleries

paint drippings art industry news may 26

This week's art industry roundup covers major auction results, including Sotheby's $51.8 million sale of the Saunders Old Masters collection (a record for a single-owner sale in that category) and the $12.5 million sale of the Lalanne's 'Ostrich Bar' in Paris. The Breuer Building, purchased by Sotheby's in 2023, has been landmarked by New York City, preserving its interior during renovation by Herzog & de Meuron. Art Basel announced a new fair in Doha, Qatar, launching next February with 50 exhibitors, while Untitled Art revealed 84 exhibitors for its first Houston edition. In gallery news, Yan Du will open YDP in London, Annely Juda Fine Art is moving, and Jean-Paul Engelen joins Acquavella Galleries. Gladstone Gallery hired Julian Ehrlich from Christie's. Saudi Arabia opens its first specialized art storage facility in Jeddah. Creative Australia chair Robert Morgan retires amid controversy over the Venice Biennale team appointment, and Monash University reversed a decision to cancel an exhibition.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Mar 16, 2026 source 3 sources visibility 32 link 11 artists

Tate announces major David Hockney, Edvard Munch and Sonia Boyce exhibitions for 2027

Tate has announced its 2027 exhibition program across its four UK sites. Major shows include a Lynda Benglis exhibition and an Edvard Munch show at Tate Modern, a Sonia Boyce retrospective at Tate Britain, and two exhibitions celebrating David Hockney's 90th birthday. The program also features Tate Modern's first Monet exhibition, the UK's first solo show for Algerian artist Baya, a survey of Nalini Malani, and a major exhibition on Asian ink painting.

newspaper The Art Newspaper Also: Artsy Editorial, The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 6, 2026 visibility 21 link 13 artists

qatar details of new quadrennial epstein and sfmoma ties

Qatar has announced details for its inaugural contemporary art quadrennial, Rubaiya Qatar, set to launch in November alongside Frieze Abu Dhabi. Organized by Qatar Museums, the event will feature over 50 artists and new commissions, with a major exhibition titled 'Unruly Waters' curated by Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Mark Rappolt, and Shabbir Hussain Mustafa. Confirmed artists include Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Sophia Al Maria, Mohamed Bourouissa, and Lydia Ourahmane. Additionally, a previously unpublicized pavilion dedicated to Gerhard Richter will open within the quadrennial. Separately, revelations from the Epstein files show ties between Jeffrey Epstein and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, including a donated artwork and potential financial backing for a piece by Neri Oxman. A small Michelangelo drawing of a foot sold at Christie's for $27.2 million, setting a new auction record.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 18, 2026 visibility 14 link 8 artists, 1 gallery

Thousands Decry Right-Wing “Smear Campaign” Against Misan Harriman

Over 97,000 people have filed complaints with the UK's Independent Press Standards Organisation against right-wing news outlets, including the Telegraph, for articles characterizing Misan Harriman's social media posts as antisemitic. Harriman, a photographer, human rights activist, and chair of London's Southbank Centre, has rejected the accusations, stating he has long championed marginalized communities and that the backlash stems from his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. An open letter supporting Harriman has been signed by 245 figures, including Tracey Emin, Greta Thunberg, and Mark Ruffalo, while the Telegraph published two articles scrutinizing his Instagram activity, prompting calls from Labour MP David Taylor for his removal from the board.

newspaper Hyperallergic open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 9, 2026 visibility 26 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

‘He sent someone to intimidate me’: Christopher Anderson, the photographer who shot Jeffrey Epstein

Photographer Christopher Anderson has revealed the details behind his 2015 encounter with Jeffrey Epstein, whom he photographed for a cancelled New York magazine profile. Anderson describes a series of unsettling interactions, including Epstein's attempts to buy the image rights for $20,000 and the eventual dispatch of a "mafia-esque" intimidator to Anderson's studio to seize a hard drive. The photographer's email exchanges with Epstein’s staff were recently made public as part of the Department of Justice's release of the Epstein files.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Mar 28, 2026 visibility 28 link 17 artists, 1 gallery

From The Magic Faraway Tree to 5 Seconds of Summer: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead

The Guardian has published a comprehensive weekly entertainment guide covering cinema, gigs, art exhibitions, stage performances, and home entertainment options. The guide highlights new film releases like the adaptation of Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree' and the documentary 'Orwell: 2+2 = 5', major concerts from 5 Seconds of Summer, and art exhibitions featuring Estonian modernist Konrad Mägi and Scottish painter Joan Eardley.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Nov 17, 2025 visibility 16 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

stolen banksy print recovered thief sentenced

A judge at London's Kingston Crown Court sentenced Larry Fraser to 13 months in jail for stealing a Banksy print of the iconic *Balloon Girl* image from Grove Gallery in September 2024. Fraser, who pleaded guilty, used a hammer to break a glass door and stole the print in 36 seconds, hoping to pay off a drug debt. The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad recovered the artwork within days after Fraser and accomplice James Love stashed it on the Isle of Dogs. Love was acquitted by a jury, claiming he was unaware of the theft until after the fact.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 8, 2026 source 2 sources visibility 21 link 10 artists

The week around the world in 20 pictures

This photo essay from The Guardian presents 20 images capturing global events from the past week, including a protest by Femen and Pussy Riot activists against Russia's participation at the Venice Biennale art show, Israeli strikes in Gaza, the hantavirus outbreak, and Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala. Other images document the war in Ukraine, with scenes of Russian military rehearsals in Moscow, damaged monuments, and drone strike aftermath, as well as a political protest in Nashville where Democratic state representative Justin J Pearson was removed from the house gallery during a redistricting protest.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 22, 2026 visibility 9 link 6 artists

What am I bid for a blown-up van? The bizarre art auction aiming to build an eco power station in Reform-held Clacton

Artists Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn are auctioning off their work from the past 15 years this Saturday to raise at least £250,000 for a community-led renewable power station in Clacton, the constituency of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The auction, which will be conducted by former YBA Gavin Turk, includes a gold Ford Transit van wreckage containing fake banknotes that the pair blew up in 2019 as part of their film *Bank Job*, now reconstituted as a mobile sculpture. An online auction runs until 31 May, but currently only £750 has been raised.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 7, 2026 visibility 26 link 6 artists

National Gallery picks Tokyo Olympic stadium architect to design new wing

The National Gallery in London has selected Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to design a major new wing as part of its ambitious £750m "Project Domani." Kuma, known for the Tokyo Olympic stadium and V&A Dundee, beat out high-profile competitors including Norman Foster and Renzo Piano. The expansion will occupy a site near Trafalgar Square currently housing a hotel and office complex, and is supported by record-breaking £150m donations from both the Julia Rausing Trust and the Crankstart foundation.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 7, 2026 visibility 54 link 5 artists

Spanish politicians clash over request to move Picasso’s Guernica

A political dispute has erupted between the Madrid and Basque regional governments over a request to temporarily relocate Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica. The Basque government is seeking to borrow the painting for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1937 bombing of the town of Guernica. Madrid’s president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has dismissed the request as "provincial," while Basque leaders have challenged the Spanish central government's courage to move the work.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 18, 2026 visibility 15 link 8 artists

van eyck ai authenticity

A Swiss artificial intelligence firm, Art Recognition, has claimed with high certainty that two versions of the painting 'Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata' (ca. 1428-32), held by the Royal Museums of Turin and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, are not by the hand of Northern Renaissance master Jan van Eyck. The company's CEO, Carina Popovici, stated the A.I. model determined the works were not authentic with 91% and 86% certainty, respectively, though the museums involved have not officially commented.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Nov 14, 2025 visibility 14 link 2 artists

judge approves purdue pharma settlement

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved a new settlement for Purdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical company behind OxyContin, resolving thousands of lawsuits related to its role in the opioid crisis. The deal, which replaces a 2021 settlement rejected by the Supreme Court, requires the Sackler family to contribute up to $7 billion and relinquish ownership of Purdue, while allowing individuals to sue family members directly.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Nov 13, 2025 visibility 19 link 5 artists

tate staff vote strike inadequate pay

More than 150 unionized workers at Britain's Tate museums, represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), will strike from November 26 to December 2 over what they call inadequate pay raises. The strike follows a vote where 98% of members supported action, with 88% turnout. Staff at Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives were offered a 2-3% salary increase, which the union argues is below the government's Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance maximum of 3.25%. The action coincides with the opening of the major exhibition "Turner & Constable: Rivals & Originals" at Tate Britain on November 27.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 24, 2026 visibility 22 link 7 artists

"Etwas zaghaft, etwas ängstlich, etwas sicher"

The article surveys recent art-world commentary, focusing on a critical review of the Turner Prize shortlist in The Guardian, where Eddy Frankel calls the selection "timid, anxious, safe" and laments a self-perpetuating, elitist system. It also covers a Hyperallergic essay by Lisa Siraganian questioning whether artworks can possess personhood, sparked by Pierre Huyghe's Venice exhibition. Additionally, it reports on controversy at the Venice Biennale, where the jury preemptively excluded countries whose leaders are sought by the International Criminal Court—namely Russia and Israel—drawing sharp criticism from Die Welt's Marcus Woeller. A podcast interview with US sculptor Alma Allen, selected for the US Pavilion, rounds out the coverage.

newspaper Monopol open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 14, 2026 visibility 12 link 6 artists

Most famous image of JMW Turner not a self-portrait, says expert

Dr James Hamilton, a leading Turner expert, has claimed that the most famous portrait of JMW Turner—long believed to be a self-portrait and featured on the UK £20 banknote—is actually by the painter John Opie. Hamilton argues that the work, dated around 1799, was mistakenly included in the Turner Bequest after the artist's death in 1851, when his studio was in disarray and the attribution was never properly verified. He points to stylistic evidence, including Opie's characteristic use of dramatic light and shadow, and calls on Tate Britain to reattribute the painting.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 4, 2026 visibility 19 link 3 artists

AI Helps UK Researchers Identify Unknown Subject in Hans Holbein Drawing as Anne Boleyn

Researchers Karen L. Davies and Hassan Ugail used artificial intelligence facial recognition to analyze two Hans Holbein drawings from the Royal Collection Trust. Their study, published in npj Heritage Science, suggests that a portrait previously labeled as Anne Boleyn actually depicts her mother, Elizabeth Howard, while a drawing cataloged as an unidentified woman is the true likeness of Anne Boleyn. The findings challenge long-held identifications based on 18th-century inscriptions and align more closely with contemporary descriptions of Boleyn as slender with dark hair.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 3, 2026 visibility 19 link 3 artists

Mystery sitter in Holbein portrait could be Anne Boleyn, AI analysis finds

Researchers using AI have analyzed two Renaissance sketches by Hans Holbein from the Royal Collection, known as the Windsor sketch and the Unidentified Woman. The AI model, developed by Professor Hassan Ugail at the University of Bradford, compared the entire Holbein corpus and found that the Unidentified Woman may actually be Anne Boleyn, while the Windsor sketch—long thought to depict Boleyn—may instead show her mother, Elizabeth Howard. The study suggests the works were incorrectly inscribed in the 1700s, leading to centuries of misidentification.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 9, 2026 visibility 20 link 5 artists, 1 gallery

At the Venice Biennale I saw anger at Russia and Israel – and its leadership pretending everything was fine | Charlotte Higgins

At the 2024 Venice Biennale, the Russian pavilion returned with festive performances and prosecco deliveries, drawing sharp criticism from observers who saw it as a propaganda effort to distract from Russia's war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Kramatorsk was bombed, and protests erupted, including a Pussy Riot intervention. Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended Russia's and Israel's participation, rejecting preemptive bans despite open letters and appeals. European Commission investigated potential sanctions breaches, and culture ministers from Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, and Baltic states boycotted or condemned the biennale's stance, accusing it of yielding to the aggressor.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Mar 30, 2026 source 4 sources visibility 18 link 3 artists

Scholar Attributes Long-Suspected ‘Workshop Copy’ Painting to Rembrandt

A painting in a private UK collection, long considered a workshop copy of Rembrandt's 'Old Man with a Gold Chain' at the Art Institute of Chicago, has been newly attributed to Rembrandt himself by scholar Gary Schwartz. Schwartz argues the quality and lack of corrections suggest Rembrandt, not a pupil, created the canvas replica while the original process was still fresh.

newspaper ARTnews Also: Artnet News, The Art Newspaper, The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Mar 20, 2026 source 3 sources visibility 22 link 1 artist

Natural History Museum tops UK attraction list with record visitors

London's Natural History Museum attracted a record 7.1 million visitors in 2025, making it the UK's most popular attraction. Its success is attributed to free entry, renovated gardens, and the popular 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' climate gallery, which drew over 2 million visitors alone.

newspaper The Guardian Also: The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 19, 2026 visibility 41 link 2 artists, 1 gallery

Hamnet-era mourning jewel from celebrated painting rediscovered after 400 years

A rare 17th-century mourning jewel, depicted in the celebrated 1635 painting 'Sir Thomas Aston at the Deathbed of His Wife' by John Souch, has been rediscovered after 400 years. The heart-shaped pendant, which contains a tassel of hair from Aston’s deceased son Robert, was identified by its current owners during a chance visit to an exhibition featuring the portrait. Valued at £650,000, the gold and enamel memento mori features intricate Latin inscriptions that were previously illegible in the painting.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Apr 8, 2026 visibility 27 link 6 artists

Modern heroes and a ravaged Earth: reboot of 1950s space comic Dan Dare has liftoff

The legendary British space hero Dan Dare is set for a 21st-century revival with the upcoming graphic novel "Dan Dare: First Contact." Created by writer Alex de Campi and artist Marc Laming under B7 Comics, the project reimagines the 1950s icon for a modern audience while retaining core characters like Digby and Professor Peabody. The reboot follows a successful Kickstarter campaign and aims to provide a fresh alternative to dominant sci-fi franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Aug 22, 2025 visibility 17 link 1 artist, 2 galleries

inigo philbrick bbc documentary

Inigo Philbrick, the disgraced art dealer who defrauded investors and dealers out of millions of dollars, appears on camera in a forthcoming BBC documentary titled "The Great Art Fraud." Philbrick was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in US prison for wire fraud and identity theft, ordered to forfeit $86 million and two paintings, and was released early in 2024. The two-part documentary, previewed by The Guardian, features Philbrick expressing remorse but also boasting about his past deals and ambition to return to the art trade. It explores his background—son of a former museum director and a Harvard-educated writer—his internship at White Cube, and his life with socialite Victoria Baker-Harber, with whom he hid in Vanuatu before FBI arrest.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 8, 2026 visibility 23 link 4 artists

Several Venice Biennale pavilions shut in protest over inclusion of Israel

Several national pavilions at the 2026 Venice Biennale shut down during the final preview day in a strike organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga) protesting Israel's inclusion due to its war in Gaza. Pavilions from Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Japan, Macedonia, and Korea closed entirely, while others like Britain, Spain, France, Egypt, Finland, and Luxembourg partially closed or reopened later. Artists in the main exhibition added Palestinian flags and posters reading "Palestine is the future of the world." The Israeli pavilion was closed for a private event, and earlier in the week Pussy Riot staged a protest at the Russian pavilion.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 6, 2026 visibility 21 link 7 artists

Pussy Riot protest at Venice Biennale forces Russian pavilion to briefly close

On the second day of the Venice Biennale preview, the activist group Pussy Riot staged a chaotic protest at the Russian pavilion, forcing it to temporarily close. Wearing pink balaclavas and carrying flares, about 40 activists—including members of Femen—gathered outside the pavilion, shouting slogans like "Blood is Russia's Art" and attempting to enter before being pushed back by police. Founding member Nadya Tolokonnikova led the protest, condemning Europe for allowing Russian participation despite the war in Ukraine. Separately, the Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga) demonstrated outside the Israeli pavilion, which was locked from inside, over Israel's war in Gaza.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original

article news schedule May 5, 2026 visibility 28 link 9 artists

Dark clouds, protests and resignations dampen start of 61st Venice Biennale

The 61st Venice Biennale opened under grey skies and rain, with political tensions overshadowing the art world's premier event. The Russian pavilion, absent for two editions due to the Ukraine war, reappeared with a party atmosphere, though the Italian ministry of culture confirmed it would not be open to the public. The Ukrainian culture minister called Russia's symbolic presence powerful. The Iranian pavilion withdrew without explanation, and a protest by 60 artists from the In Minor Keys show marched through the Giardini humming in solidarity against Israel's participation. Over 200 artists, including Lubaina Himid and Alfredo Jaar, signed an open letter demanding the Israeli pavilion's cancellation. The event also proceeded without its curator, Koyo Kouoh, who died in May 2025; her curatorial team delivered the exhibition following her plans.

newspaper The Guardian open_in_new Read original