Art Movements: Meet The Met's New Photography Curator

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as its new curator of photographs, bringing her expertise in African and Black diasporic histories from MoMA. This announcement leads a series of industry shifts, including Melissa Chiu’s move from the Hirshhorn to direct the Guggenheim, and the relocation of the influential gallery 47 Canal to Chelsea. Additionally, the New York Foundation for the Arts distributed nearly $500,000 in grants to 129 artists and organizations in Queens.

The Met Hires Star Photography Curator for the Museum’s New Wing

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as a curator in the Department of Photographs, poaching her from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Onabanjo, formerly the Peter Schub Curator at MoMA, will be tasked with managing the landmark gift of over 6,500 photographs from the Walther Family Foundation and curating exhibitions with a focus on twentieth-century media.

David Geffen Settles Divorce With David Armstrong After Bitter Legal Fight

Billionaire art collector and entertainment mogul David Geffen has reached a private settlement with his estranged husband, David Armstrong, ending a contentious legal battle. The divorce proceedings gained significant public attention due to the absence of a prenuptial agreement and serious allegations of exploitation and psychological manipulation leveled by Armstrong. While the financial terms remain confidential, the settlement concludes months of litigation over spousal support and asset division following their two-year marriage.

Emerson Bowyer Appointed Chief Curator of Kimbell Art Museum

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth has appointed Emerson Bowyer as its new chief curator, effective March 5. Bowyer joins from the Art Institute of Chicago, where he served as the Searle Curator and oversaw significant acquisitions, including works by William Holman Hunt and Camille Claudel.

American Artist and Sonya Clark among Guggenheim Fellows 2026.

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has announced its 101st class of Guggenheim Fellows, awarding grants to 223 individuals across 55 disciplines. Among the 30 fine artists selected for the 2026 cohort are Brooklyn-based conceptual artist American Artist, textile artist and educator Sonya Clark, and interdisciplinary artist Allison Janae Hamilton. Each fellow receives a financial stipend designed to provide the creative and intellectual freedom necessary to pursue their work without restrictive conditions.

I think I didn't understand many artists

"Ich glaube, ich habe viele Künstler nicht verstanden"

Adrian Searle, the long-standing chief art critic for The Guardian, is stepping down after three decades at the publication and nearly 50 years in art criticism. In a reflective interview, Searle discusses his transition from a practicing painter and educator to a critic, noting that his early interactions with students like Peter Doig and Isaac Julien helped him realize his true strength lay in writing rather than art-making. He recounts his experiences navigating the British art scene, from the decline of Greenbergian abstraction to his encounters with formidable figures like Richard Serra.

Miles Davis Emerged From Middle America to Become the ‘Picasso of Jazz’ and Taught Us All How to Be Cool

Miles Davis, born in 1926 in Illinois, rose from a middle-class background to become a transformative figure in jazz. He left formal studies at Juilliard to play with Charlie Parker, but soon forged his own iconic sound characterized by intimate tone and phrasing, most famously on the seminal *Birth of the Cool* sessions. His career was defined by constant reinvention, pioneering multiple major movements from cool jazz and modal recording to jazz fusion, earning him the nickname "the Picasso of Jazz" from Duke Ellington.

The Met Appoints Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator of Photographs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator in its Department of Photographs following an international search. Onabanjo, who joins from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), will oversee exhibitions, acquisitions, and research for 20th-century and contemporary photography, with a specific emphasis on international practices in Africa and Asia. Her role includes the stewardship of the Walther Collection, a massive gift of over 6,500 works, and the preparation of a major exhibition scheduled for 2028.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Appoints Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator in the Department of Photographs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as a Curator in the Department of Photographs. Joining from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Onabanjo will focus on 20th-century and contemporary photography with a specific emphasis on international practices from Africa and Asia. Her responsibilities include overseeing the stewardship of the recently acquired Walther Collection and developing a major exhibition for 2028.

The Guide #237: Fab 5 Freddy, the street artist at the heart of New York’s creative zenith

A new memoir by Fred Brathwaite, known as Fab 5 Freddy, chronicles his life as a pivotal figure connecting the emerging hip-hop and graffiti scenes of 1970s and 80s Brooklyn with the downtown Manhattan art world. The book, "Everybody's Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture," serves as an all-access pass to a transformative era, featuring encounters with icons like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Debbie Harry.

‘The male ego is even more fragile than it ever was’: Kim Gordon on shyness, AI and Zohran Mamdani’s cool

Musician and artist Kim Gordon answered questions from Guardian readers, reflecting on her career with Sonic Youth, her solo work, and her approach to creativity. She discussed the band's initial aim to create something new, her intuitive process, and her recent acting role in Kristen Stewart's film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir.

Museum Storytellers: Three Art Scholars Curate Exhibitions at the North Shore’s World-Class Museum

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem is highlighting the work of its curatorial team, specifically focusing on how Lydia Peabody, Lan Morgan, and Ruthie Dibble are revitalizing the institution's collections. A primary focus is the exhibition 'Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone,' where Peabody integrated contemporary photography and video by artist Gisella Torres to create a dialogue with Lewis’s 19th-century neoclassical marble sculptures. Other initiatives include Lan Morgan’s 'Beyond the Broom' project, which uses short films to showcase a community-focused perspective of Salem beyond its 'witch city' reputation.

Guillaume Cerutti Out as President of Paris’s Pinault Collection After 13 Months

Guillaume Cerutti has stepped down from his position as President of the Pinault Collection in Paris after only thirteen months. The institution, founded by billionaire François Pinault, has stated it has no plans to replace him or appoint an interim president, signaling a potential restructuring of its leadership.

Bose Krishnamachari’s resignation from Kochi Biennale came after sexual harassment allegations

Bose Krishnamachari resigned as director of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and from the board of its foundation in January. The Kochi Biennale Foundation chairperson has now stated the resignation followed a December complaint alleging Krishnamachari sexually harassed a female employee at his apartment, making unwanted remarks and advances. Krishnamachari had initially cited family reasons for his departure.

Lyman Allyn Museum Director Sam Quigley to Retire

Sam Quigley, the director of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut, has announced his retirement after 12 years at the helm. During his tenure, Quigley was instrumental in modernizing the institution by establishing the Near :: New Gallery for regional contemporary art, creating a permanent Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibition, and overseeing the development of the 12-acre Lyman Allyn Park. He also significantly bolstered the permanent collection with acquisitions by major figures such as John Singer Sargent and David Driskell.

A Midwest Frieze: Kate Sierzputowski Takes the Reigns as Director of Expo Chicago From Founder Tony Karman

Kate Sierzputowski has officially stepped into the role of Director at Expo Chicago, succeeding longtime founder Tony Karman following the fair's acquisition by Frieze. As the fair prepares for its April 2025 edition at Navy Pier, Sierzputowski is overseeing a significant transition that includes a streamlined roster of 130 galleries and a more integrated branding presence from the Frieze parent company.

The Bennett Prize Opens Fifth Call for Entries

The Bennett Prize has launched its fifth call for entries, inviting women figurative realist painters to compete for a newly increased grand prize of $75,000. The award, established by collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, includes a two-year stipend and a traveling solo exhibition that debuts at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Applications are open through September 19, 2026, with a jury featuring prominent figures like curator Miranda Lash and artist Julie Heffernan.

Jeremy Frey: The Generational Impact of a New Artistic Path

Indigenous weaver Jeremy Frey, a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship recipient, will participate in an upcoming public conversation with Hyperallergic Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian. The discussion will explore Frey’s unique practice of Passamaquoddy basketry, which involves harvesting natural materials like black ash and sweetgrass to create intricate vessels and innovative relief prints that bridge the gap between traditional craft and contemporary sculpture.

It is Naive to Believe that Bombs Bring Freedom

"Es ist naiv zu glauben, dass Bomben Freiheit bringen"

Iranian-born artist Peyman Rahimi discusses the profound impact of his childhood experiences during the Iran-Iraq War and his subsequent mandatory military service on his creative practice. Breaking a long-held silence, Rahimi argues against the naivety of believing that military interventions or foreign bombings can bring true freedom to Iran, emphasizing that war only generates new trauma and suffering. He highlights the central role of Iranian women in the struggle for change, noting that their resilience remains the most potent threat to the current regime.

Of Testaments and Transfigurations: An Interview with Poet Silvia Righi

Di testamenti e di trasfigurazioni. Intervista alla poeta Silvia Righi

Italian poet Silvia Righi discusses her latest collection, *Ex voto suscepto*, published by Pungitopo as part of the Remedia series. The book originated from a narrative concept involving the arrival of God's daughter on Earth and features a unique interdisciplinary collaboration with artist Mattia Barbieri, who provided China ink illustrations. The interview explores the collection's focus on the decaying body, the fluidity of the lyrical 'I', and the intersection of poetic language with visual art.

We Interviewed Pixar's Historic Archivist: The History and Secrets of the Legendary Production House

Abbiamo intervistato la storica archivista della Pixar: storia e segreti della mitica casa di produzione

Christine Freeman, Senior Historian and Archivist at Pixar Animation Studios, provides an inside look at the evolution of the pioneering animation house. The interview traces Pixar's origins from Ed Catmull’s early work at Lucasfilm and the development of the Pixar Image Computer to the pivotal meeting with animator John Lasseter and the eventual acquisition by Steve Jobs. Freeman details the preservation of early CGI milestones, including the first computer-animated short, 'The Adventures of André & Wally B.', and the transition from proprietary secrets to open-source contributions like RenderMan.

The Most Important Thing is That Art Remains Accessible

"Das Wichtigste ist, dass die Kunst zugänglich bleibt"

Gilles Neiens has been appointed as the first-ever artistic director of Art Düsseldorf, marking a strategic shift for the eight-year-old regional art fair. In his new role, Neiens aims to elevate the fair's profile by focusing on high-quality curation, thematic depth, and fostering closer collaborative relationships with participating galleries. This structural change signals a move away from purely organizational management toward a more distinct, content-driven identity.

Devlin Starr Memorial Art Award Opens Applications for Emerging Multimedia Artists

The Huntington Arts Council has officially opened applications for the 2026 Devlin Starr Memorial Art Award, a $3,000 grant designed to support emerging multimedia artists between the ages of 18 and 28. Established to honor the legacy of the late artist Devlin Starr, who passed away in 2025, the award provides financial assistance for materials, studio space, and equipment. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of recent work and a personal statement by the May 8 deadline.

A Painter Reveals Hong Kong’s Natural Wonders — and Where to See Them

Hong Kong-based painter Stephen Wong Chun Hei, who spent much of his childhood indoors, has become an avid hiker and now creates vibrant, colorful paintings of the city's natural landscapes. His work focuses on capturing the dramatic geology, lush vegetation, and hidden trails of Hong Kong's country parks and coastal areas.

Hood Museum of Art's longest-serving director to retire

John Stomberg, the director of Dartmouth College's Hood Museum of Art, has announced his retirement after leading the institution for over a decade. His tenure, which began in 2013, marks the longest directorship in the museum's history.

Kengo Kuma: "The first time architecture moved me, it was a church"

Kengo Kuma : « La première fois qu’une architecture m’a ému, c’était celle d’une église »

Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma discusses his design philosophy and his recent intervention at the Angers Cathedral in France. He emphasizes a "dialogue with the place" over architectural ego, focusing on topography, local materials, and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the aging of materials over time. Kuma reflects on how his first emotional encounter with architecture occurred in a Christian chapel as a child, an experience that continues to inform his use of light and verticality.

oluremi c onabanjo photography curator met museum 1234780698

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as a curator in its Department of Photographs, a role she will assume this summer. Onabanjo, who joins from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), will primarily oversee the Walther Collection—a massive gift of over 6,500 photographs spanning diverse global regions—and will lead a major exhibition of the collection in 2028.

Salford Uni’s Energy House 2.0 appoints new Iranian-born artist in residence

Iranian-born artist Omid Asadi has been appointed as the new artist-in-residence at the University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0 research facility. Running from Spring 2026 through the end of the year, the residency will see Asadi collaborate with researchers at the world-leading climate laboratory, which features two massive chambers capable of simulating extreme global weather conditions. The artist plans to create new installations and sculptures in response to the facility's pioneering retrofit research, specifically focusing on a recreated 1930s-era house.