amy sherald time 2026 women of the year

Artist Amy Sherald has been named one of TIME magazine’s 2026 Women of the Year, a distinction honoring her leadership and commitment to equity. The recognition follows Sherald's high-profile decision to withdraw her solo exhibition, "American Sublime," from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., after the institution attempted to censor or alter the presentation of her painting 'Trans Forming Liberty' (2024) due to political pressure. The Baltimore Museum of Art subsequently stepped in to host the show, where it has since shattered all-time attendance records for the institution.

Why I Wanted to Meet Thaddeus Mosley

The author recounts their personal journey to meet the self-taught sculptor Thaddeus Mosley, driven by a profound impression left by his 2004 New York debut exhibition. After a late-night phone call revealed Mosley's vibrant spirit, the author reflects on the artist's decades-long practice of carving salvaged wood into towering, abstract sculptures in Pittsburgh, inspired by jazz, African visual culture, and modernist art, yet operating largely outside the mainstream art world.

‘I’m not trying to impress anyone with what I buy’: how Catherine Walsh went from cosmetics queen to art collector

Catherine Walsh, a former cosmetics executive at Estée Lauder and Revlon who pioneered celebrity fragrances at Coty, recounts her journey from buying her first Harry Callahan photograph at age 22 to building a minimalist art collection. She commissioned architect John Pawson to design a house in Telluride, Colorado, after a lecture, and has since acquired works by Gerhard Richter, Donald Judd, Jenny Holzer, Josef Albers, and a 17th-century Dutch portrait, among others. Walsh now lives in a London apartment near the Victoria & Albert Museum, where she displays her carefully curated collection with minimal furniture.

Lynda Roscoe Hartigan Named Director of Smithsonian American Art Museum

Lynda Roscoe Hartigan has been appointed as the new director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, DC, effective September 8. She returns to SAAM, where she began her career and later served as chief curator, from her current position as executive director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. She succeeds acting director Jane Carpenter-Rock, who will remain as deputy director.

maria balshaw departs tate

Maria Balshaw, director of London’s Tate, has announced she will step down in spring 2026 after nearly a decade leading the museum network. She joined in 2017, succeeding Nicholas Serota, and previously directed the Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery. During her tenure, she oversaw major exhibitions including “The EY Exhibition: Van Gogh and Britain” (2019), a Yoko Ono retrospective, and “Sargent and Fashion.” Her final project will be co-curating the largest-ever survey of Tracey Emin at Tate Modern, running from February 27 to August 31, 2026.

Book uncovers the life of Barnett Newman, an artist who ran for New York mayor

A new biography titled "Barnett Newman: Here" by Amy Newman (no relation) explores the life of Abstract Expressionist painter Barnett Newman, revealing his little-known 1933 run for mayor of New York City at age 28 under a platform of cultural and environmental reforms. The book details his upbringing as the son of Jewish immigrants in the Bronx, his philosophical studies, and his eventual reinvention as a painter who pioneered the 'zip' painting style with works like Onement I, while also chronicling his combative personality and lifelong battles against political machines and critics.

Eugenio Viola, Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá

eugenio viola museo de arte moderno de bogota

The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (MAMBO) terminated the contract of its artistic director, Eugenio Viola, earlier this month. Viola claims his dismissal came after he raised concerns with the board in September 2025 about deteriorating working conditions at the museum, concerns he says were shared by other staff. The museum stated the decision resulted from a comprehensive review and that it has begun searching for a new artistic director.

epstein files reveal museum director david a ross

David A. Ross, a prominent museum director and chair of the MFA Art Practice program at New York's School of Visual Arts, resigned after ARTnews revealed his numerous appearances in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. The documents, released by the Justice Department, show correspondence between Ross and Epstein dating back to 1995, including emails where Ross offered support to Epstein after his 2008 arrest and discussed a controversial exhibition concept proposed by Epstein.

Talking Art With Rama Duwaji

New York City’s First Lady, Rama Duwaji, provided an exclusive look into her creative life during a studio visit at Gracie Mansion. The interview explores her dual identity as a ceramicist and illustrator and her transition into the political spotlight, showcasing the personal practice behind her public role.

The Wallace Collection appoints Selldorf Architects to lead masterplan to transform its historic London home

The Wallace Collection in London has appointed Selldorf Architects, led by Annabelle Selldorf, to lead a masterplan for Hertford House, its historic home. Selldorf, who recently oversaw renovations at the Frick Collection and the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing, will collaborate with UK practices Purcell and Lawson Ward Studio. The project aims to improve access, sustainability, and visitor experience at the museum, which opened to the public in 1900 and houses over 5,500 works including masterpieces by Velázquez, Hals, and Rubens.

guy wildenstein resigns wildenstein gallery president

Guy Wildenstein has resigned as president of Wildenstein & Co., the prestigious art gallery founded by his family in 1875, after 35 years in the role. He is succeeded by his son David Wildenstein, who previously served as vice president overseeing investment and real estate, while his daughter Vanessa Wildenstein becomes vice president and director of the New York location. The announcement was made to the Art Newspaper, which first reported the news. Wildenstein, 80, was convicted of tax fraud in 2024 in a high-profile French case involving the concealment of masterworks to avoid inheritance taxes, receiving a four-year prison sentence with house arrest and a €1 million fine.

christies names alex rotter global president

Christie’s has promoted Alex Rotter to global president, a new role in which he will retain his existing title as global chairman of 20th- and 21st-century art. Rotter will collaborate with regional presidents and global chairmen to develop strategies for auction and private sales. He joined Christie’s in 2017 after 16 years at Sotheby’s and created the “20/21” department, which unified postwar, contemporary, and Impressionist and modern art sales. Rotter has overseen landmark sales including Jeff Koons’s *Rabbit* (1986) for $91 million, Andy Warhol’s *Shot Sage Blue Marilyn* (1964) for $195 million, and Leonardo da Vinci’s *Salvator Mundi* (ca. 1500) for $450 million.

design carlos soto theater costume design 2

Carlos Soto, a set and costume designer known for his emotionally charged and essentialist approach to theater, is profiled in a feature that traces his career from a childhood encounter with Robert Wilson to collaborations with Solange, Marina Abramović, and Philip Glass. Soto discusses his recent production of Robin Hood at Zurich's Schauspielhaus, where he fused Japanese Noh theater masks with animal memes to create costumes that blur the line between human and beast. The article highlights his uncompromising vision, his early apprenticeship under Frida Parmeggiani at the Met, and his decision to drop out of Pratt Institute to pursue hands-on learning.

newsmakers valentina akerman gallery sardine hamptons

Valentina Akerman, an art director and architect, opened Sardine gallery in a weathered Amagansett rental last summer with her husband, artist Joe Bradley. What began as an improvised experiment has grown into a Hamptons success story, now in its second season with a Summer 2025 program featuring film series, residencies, dinners, and four exhibitions pairing painters with sculptors. The gallery also hosted a pop-up in Paris during Art Basel Paris and is organizing a group show at Le Consortium Museum’s summer space in Burgundy.

faye wei wei musicality paint new talent 2025

Faye Wei Wei, a figurative painter known for her ethereal and romantic style, is profiled following her enrollment in Yale's MFA program. The article highlights her recent works, including "Calcium Stars (severed romanesque ears)" (2024) and "A Telescope Made of Champagne Glass" (2024), which blend motifs of hearts, lovers, and architectural forms with musical energy. Wei Wei, who graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2016 and has shown at Situations in New York and Galerie Kandlhofer in Vienna, discusses her improvisational studio practice and the influence of music on her painting.

The Getty hires Justine Ludwig of Creative Time to run PST Art

The Getty has hired Justine Ludwig, currently the executive director of Creative Time in New York, as the creative director of PST Art, a newly created position. Ludwig will relocate to California and start on October 27, leading a team that includes Zachary Kaplan and Tina Lee, with plans to expand the department. The Getty has spent around $50 million on PST Art over two decades but previously lacked a dedicated team for the event. Ludwig's appointment comes as the Getty prepares for the 2030 edition and aims to refine the program, including working closely with smaller partner museums and non-profits.

Staying Curious: Isabelle de Caters on 20 Years of Gallery Isabelle

Gallery Isabelle, founded by Isabelle de Caters in Dubai's Al Quoz district, celebrated its 20th anniversary in April 2026 with a 20-day exhibition titled "Move, Pause, Return." The show unveiled one work per day before bringing all 20 artists together for a final gathering. De Caters, who opened her first space B21 Gallery in 2006 when contemporary art in the Gulf was seen as a passing fad, reflects on two decades of building a gallery through instinct, long-term artist relationships, and organic growth rather than commercial dictates.

art ebony l haynes david zwirner

Ebony L. Haynes, the influential curator behind 52 Walker—the downtown David Zwirner spinoff that helped transform Tribeca into New York's premier gallery district—has been promoted to global head of curatorial projects for the mega-gallery's entire network. In a candid Q&A, she discusses her insomnia, her early dream of being an A&R executive for a record label, and her commitment to ambitious, often impractical shows. She also names Koyo Kouoh's upcoming Venice Biennale as a highlight she's looking forward to.

art paul mccarthy show performance

Cultured magazine profiles legendary 80-year-old artist Paul McCarthy during his Paris exhibition at Hauser & Wirth, titled “SS EE Saint Santa Eva Elf.” The article follows the journalist's three-day pursuit of McCarthy, covering a screening of his films *A&E Adolf & Eva/ Adam & Eve Cooking Show* (2022/2023) and *A&E Adolf & Eva/Adam & Eve Mother* (2022/2025), which feature psychosexual themes referencing Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun alongside Adam and Eve, co-starring actor Lilith Stangenberg. The exhibition includes large raw drawings created during improvised, multi-camera performances with Stangenberg, where they play twisted Santa and elf characters. McCarthy also has concurrent shows at The Journal Gallery in Los Angeles and SOLO contemporary art space in Madrid.

art naomi beckwith guggenheim museum curator

Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and chief curator of the Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, has relocated to Kassel, Germany, as artistic director of Documenta 16, which opens in June 2027. The article follows her early impressions of Kassel, a city shaped by immigration and still grappling with its post-reunification identity, and touches on the political and cultural debates surrounding Documenta after controversy over antisemitic imagery in its previous edition. Beckwith is also organizing a concurrent exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, titled "Echo Delay Reverb: American Art, Francophone Thought."

art institute of chicago director airplane incident

James Rondeau, director of the Art Institute of Chicago, has given his first detailed interview about a 2023 incident where he removed his clothes on a flight from Chicago to Munich after consuming alcohol and prescription medication. The event led to police involvement and a voluntary six-week leave before the museum's board reinstated him, expressing confidence in his leadership.

kim sajet milwaukee art museum director

Kim Sajet has been appointed as the new director of the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM), starting September 22. The announcement comes shortly after Sajet was ousted as director of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. During her 12-year tenure there, she doubled attendance, raised over $85 million, and oversaw major capital improvements. Sajet previously held leadership roles at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

max carter christies chairman 20th and 21st century art americas

Christie’s has appointed Max Carter as chairman of 20th and 21st Century art for the Americas. Carter, a Canadian-American writer and art specialist who joined the auction house in 2007, previously led the Impressionist and modern art department in the Americas from 2017 to 2022. He has overseen major collection consignments from Anne Bass, Paul Allen, S.I. Newhouse, Mica Ertegun, Robert F. Weis and Patricia G. Ross Weis, and Elaine Wynn, and has achieved record prices for artists like Ed Ruscha and Henri Rousseau. Carter will report to Christie’s global president and succeeds in the role as the auction house prepares for its marquee November sales in New York.

The Swiss Collector Building a Massive Trove of Chinese Art

Swiss businessman and former diplomat Uli Sigg has spent over three decades assembling one of the largest private collections of contemporary Chinese art, comprising thousands of works. Artist Ai Weiwei has referred to Sigg as “my maker,” highlighting the collector’s pivotal role in promoting Chinese contemporary art on the global stage.

Adam Budak dismissed as director of MOCAK amid controversy

Adam Budak has been dismissed as director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK), effective from 12 May, with his employment ending on 30 June. The city of Krakow cited improper performance of duties related to work organization and team management, following an investigation triggered by a complaint signed by 37 employees. Budak disputes the decision, calling it baseless and made under time pressure, and is considering an appeal. Artists including Paulina Ołowska and Robert Knoke have rallied in support, with several artists withdrawing from MOCAK's 2026–27 programme in solidarity.

Maria Balshaw to step down as Tate director

Maria Balshaw, director of the Tate, will step down in spring 2026 after nearly a decade leading the institution. She joined in 2017, succeeding Nicholas Serota, and oversaw blockbuster exhibitions including Van Gogh and Britain, Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, and Sargent and Fashion. Her final project will be a major survey of Tracey Emin. The Tate credited her with diversifying the collection, improving gender and geographic balance, and growing membership to 150,000, the largest arts membership globally.

Profile | Pierre Rosenberg, the former Louvre president, on his long-awaited four-volume Poussin catalogue—and forthcoming museum

Pierre Rosenberg, the 89-year-old honorary president-director of the Louvre, is set to release a definitive four-volume catalogue raisonné of the works of Nicolas Poussin. This monumental publication, weighing eight kilograms, represents over sixty years of scholarship and aims to provide a comprehensive update to the field, addressing previous research by figures such as Anthony Blunt and Louis Marin.

Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá dismisses longtime artistic director

Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá dismisses longtime artistic director

The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (Mambo) has dismissed its artistic director, Eugenio Viola, after more than seven years. The museum's board announced the termination as part of a "comprehensive review," stating Viola will remain until May 2026 while a search for a successor begins. Viola contends his dismissal followed his raising of concerns about deteriorating working conditions, which the board dismissed.

Dallas Museum of Art picks director wrapping up another institutional expansion to guide it through campus overhaul

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) has appointed Brian Ferriso, the longtime director of the Portland Art Museum (PAM), as its next director. Ferriso will oversee the inauguration of PAM's $111 million expansion on November 20 before starting his new role in Dallas on December 1. He succeeds Agustín Arteaga, who left the DMA last spring to lead the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Ferriso brings nearly two decades of experience at PAM, where he increased the endowment by $40 million, doubled curatorial staff, eliminated $7 million in debt, and led a $140 million fundraising campaign for the museum's expansion and endowment.

Brittany Webb is Joining Museum of Fine Arts, Houston as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art: 'There is A Lot That Attracted Me to the MFAH'

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) has appointed Brittany Webb as curator in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, effective late summer 2025. Webb joins from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where she served as the Evelyn and Will Kaplan Curator of 20th-Century Art and the John Rhoden Collection since 2018. At PAFA, she organized several exhibitions including a comprehensive retrospective of sculptor John Rhoden, and added over 200 works to the permanent collection. MFAH Director Gary Tinterow praised Webb's passion, community connections, and track record of thoughtful exhibitions of American and African American art.