U.K. Arts Center Lands Seismic $122.4M Gift

The Sainsbury Centre near Norwich, England, has received a landmark gift of £91.2 million ($122.4 million) from Lord David Sainsbury through his Gatsby Charitable Foundation. In other news, Art Basel has appointed Wassan Al-Khudhairi as artistic director for its 2027 Qatar edition; Christie's led New York's spring auction season with $1.3 billion, driven by the S.I. Newhouse collection; Sotheby's brought in $737 million; Phillips rebounded with $115.2 million; and Bonhams achieved $22 million. Pace now represents the Constantin Brancusi Estate, Yinka Shonibare joined Mennour, and several other gallery and museum appointments were announced, including Clarissa Morales as COO of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and new interim leadership at Dallas Contemporary. The Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt will inherit Henrike Naumann's estate, Dubai announced a new Museum of Digital Art, and the Centre Pompidou partnered with Chanel.

The 21st Century’s Biggest Art Trend is Not a Style. But Once You See It, You’ll Notice It Everywhere.

The article traces the evolution of "systems art," a term coined by critic Jack Burnham in 1968 to describe art that uses rules, seriality, and repetition to mirror and reveal the growing protocols of the Cold War era. It highlights early practitioners like Kenneth Noland, Robert Morris, Dan Flavin, and notably Hans Haacke and Adrian Piper, who shifted from atmospheric systems (e.g., Haacke's *Condensation Cube*) to social systems (e.g., Haacke's *Shapolsky et al. Manhattan Real Estate Holdings*). The piece argues that systems thinking has become unavoidable in contemporary life—from algorithms to systemic racism—and that art remains a crucial tool for making these invisible systems legible.

46 Museum Shows and Biennials to See This Summer

ARTnews has published a guide to 46 museum shows and biennials to see this summer, highlighting major exhibitions across the globe. Featured artists include Laure Prouvost at Paris's Grand Palais with a quantum physics-themed show, Carsten Höller at Beijing's UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Tomás Saraceno at Munich's Haus der Kunst, and a retrospective of Ana Mendieta at Tate Modern. The article also covers biennials such as the Venice Biennale and Manifesta in Germany's Ruhr region, as well as new biennial-style launches in the Northeastern US. Specific exhibitions detailed include Akinsanya Kambon's survey at SculptureCenter and CARA in New York, Cao Fei's European survey at Kunstmuseum Basel, and the group show "Youth Palace" at Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai.

How Edward Burtynsky Captures Humanity’s Uneasy Relationship With Nature

Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky is the subject of a solo exhibition titled “Burtynsky: Human/Nature” at Paul Kyle Gallery in Vancouver, running from May 30 to August 1, 2026. The show brings together works from the early 1990s to the present, capturing landscapes that highlight the tension between natural environments and industrial development. Images include a stepwell in India, a granite quarry in Vermont, railcars in British Columbia, and a glowing stream of magma in Ontario. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with an essay by the gallery’s assistant director, Diamond Zhou, who describes the title as naming a strained relationship rather than a reconciliation.

Follow PAPER Undercover at New York Art Week

The article follows the author's undercover experience during New York Art Week, focusing on the simultaneous openings of Frieze New York and TEFAF New York in May. Frieze, held at The Shed in Hudson Yards, features contemporary galleries from 28 countries, while TEFAF at the Park Avenue Armory offers a mix of contemporary art, antiques, and Old Masters. The author highlights standout works, including Kelly Sinnapah Mary's solo presentation at James Cohan and Aki Goto's dental installation at Gallery G, and notes the packed schedule of talks, gallery openings, and museum galas.

Fairfield University Art Museum To Present James Welling: Cento

Fairfield University Art Museum will present "James Welling: Cento," a major exhibition of over 60 photographs by the renowned contemporary photographer, from September 25 to December 12, 2026. The show focuses on the classical world, featuring images of ancient Greek and Roman architecture and statuary, printed on plastic sheets and hand-altered with oil paint and pigment. It includes works from the Cento series (2019-2021) and the Personae series (2021-2022), alongside historic plaster casts from the museum's collection.

8 Standout Shows at the Venice Biennale 2026

The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled "In Minor Keys" and curated by Artistic Director Koyo Kouoh, opened in Venice in 2026, running through November 22 at the Giardini, Arsenale, and various city locations. The main exhibition features 110 invited artists, collaborative duos, collectives, and artist-led organizations, realized by Kouoh's team after her passing in May 2025. Alongside 100 National Participations in historic pavilions, 31 Collateral Events and independent projects are on view. Art & Object highlights eight standout shows, including Lu Yang's immersive digital installation "DOKU The Illusion" at Espace Louis Vuitton, Oriol Vilanova's postcard-based "Los restos" at the Spanish Pavilion, and JR's photographic reinterpretation "Il Gesto" at The Venice Venice Hotel.

‘Something Missing?’ Absence is emotional with Sophie Calle’s new show

Sophie Calle's latest exhibition, 'Something Missing?' at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Copenhagen, explores themes of absence, loss, and disappearance through works spanning 1979 to 2023. The show features series such as 'Because' (2018-2023), where embroidered felt sheets hide photographs; a response to Picasso's works swaddled during Covid lockdowns; 'The Blind' (1986), in which people born without sight describe beauty; and 'Voir la mer' (2011), capturing Istanbul residents seeing the sea for the first time. Calle's characteristic wit and emotional depth turn voids into vantage points, inviting viewers to confront what is missing.

10 Artist-Run Galleries Around the World You Should Know

Artsy Editorial profiles ten artist-run galleries worldwide that are thriving despite the challenge of balancing gallery operations with active art practices. These spaces, founded and operated by working artists, leverage their founders' firsthand experience navigating the art world to curate distinctive programming and build meaningful client relationships. Examples include galleries in underserved neighborhoods in Thailand and other global locations, highlighting the diversity of this grassroots movement.

Brent Sikkema’s Husband Convicted

A federal jury has found Daniel Sikkema guilty of orchestrating the murder-for-hire of his estranged husband, New York art dealer Brent Sikkema. The 75-year-old gallerist was stabbed 18 times in his Rio de Janeiro townhouse in January 2024, a crime that sent shockwaves through the art community. Senior editor Valentina Di Liscia reports on the verdict and the grim details of the case.

What You (Maybe) Didn't Know About Édouard Manet

Ce que vous ne saviez (peut-être) pas sur Édouard Manet

Édouard Manet (1832–1883), a pivotal figure bridging realism and impressionism, is the subject of a feature article in Beaux Arts Magazine. The piece explores lesser-known aspects of his life and career, including his near-miss as a naval officer, his rivalry with Gustave Courbet, his refusal to join the impressionist exhibitions despite close ties to the movement, and his deep fascination with Spanish culture. It highlights his scandalous works like *Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe* (1863) and *Olympia*, the latter entering the Louvre after a subscription launched by Claude Monet in 1889.

“Melting Glaciers, Water Futures from the Alps to the Nile” photo exhibition by Swiss photographer Pierre Jeanneret and Egyptian documentary photographer Roger Anis is a must see - Exhibitions - Al-Ahram Weekly

The article announces a photo exhibition titled "Melting Glaciers, Water Futures from the Alps to the Nile" at the Goethe Institute in Cairo, featuring Swiss photographer Pierre Jeanneret and Egyptian documentary photographer Roger Anis. Jeanneret's work documents the rapid melting of Swiss glaciers and its impacts on hydroelectric dams, tourism, and new landscapes, while Anis explores water, climate, and human resilience along the Nile. The exhibition is part of SABBART, a cultural initiative by EUNIC Cluster Egypt focusing on climate and environmental issues, and runs from 17 May to 4 June.

Ukrainian art resists war

An exhibition titled "Still Joy" opened in Venice during the preview days of the Biennale, organized by the Pinchuk Art Center in Kiev, showcasing Ukrainian art that responds to the ongoing war with Russia. The show features works by artists including Kateryna Aliinyk, Piotr Armianovski, Roman Khimei and Yarema Malashchuk, Zhanna Kadyrova, Alevtina Kakhidze, and Nikita Kadan, addressing themes of resilience, memory, and resistance. The Ukrainian Pavilion at the Biennale also centers on the conflict, with Kadyrova's work referencing the Budapest Memorandum. Many of these artists have chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the dangers, keeping the cultural scene alive.

Ain Bailey “The Jamaica Project” at Camden Art Centre, London

Camden Art Centre in London announces a major new exhibition by London-based composer, artist, and DJ Ain Bailey, featuring a new commission in Gallery 3. The commission is the latest installment of a film trilogy begun in 2021, rooted in Bailey's biography and centered on her personal history.

Foster + Partners lines Shanghai art gallery with tubular glass

British architecture firm Foster + Partners has completed the Jia Art gallery in Shanghai's Putuo district, a building wrapped in ribbed tubular glass that takes its curvilinear form from the blossoming flowers in nearby Changfeng Park. The gallery features a double-height atrium dividing exhibition spaces on the north side from community-oriented event and education areas on the south, with cantilevered upper levels and curved stainless steel tubes framing the facade.

Sir John Akomfrah’s Venice Biennale Exhibition Comes To Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery

Sir John Akomfrah's exhibition, originally presented at the Venice Biennale, is now on view at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery. The show brings together a selection of the artist's acclaimed film and video works that explore themes of memory, migration, and the African diaspora, offering UK audiences a rare chance to see the Biennale presentation in a new context.

ISA Art Gallery’s Biophilia Exhibition

Deborah Iskander, founder of ISA Art Gallery in Jakarta, launched the gallery's latest exhibition titled 'Biophilia' at its location in Wisma BNI 46. The gallery, established in 2014, has focused on exhibiting women artists and diaspora Indonesian artists since 2021. The exhibition continues this curatorial direction, featuring works that explore the connection between nature and human experience.

A Long-Overdue Reckoning With Nazi-Looted Art on exhibit at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris

The Musée d'Orsay in Paris has opened a new permanent gallery titled "À qui appartiennent ces œuvres ?" ("To whom do these works belong?") dedicated to MNR (Musées Nationaux Récupération) artworks—pieces recovered after World War II that have not yet been returned to their rightful owners. The single-room exhibition displays thirteen works from the 225 "artistic orphans" held by the museum, including paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Alfred Stevens. Curators have suspended several works between glass panels to expose the backs of the canvases, revealing inventory stamps and gallery labels that trace their journey from Jewish homes into the Nazi art machine.

Billy Ireland museum reopens with redesigned galleries, new exhibits

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University reopened on May 23 after six months of renovations, featuring redesigned galleries and a new permanent collection titled "The Story of Comics." This exhibition spans over 400 years of cartoon art history, including works by William Hogarth, a large manga collection, and a dedicated mini-gallery for Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes." A special exhibition by cartoonist Chris Ware, "Life is Complicated," is on display until January 2027, with a public program featuring Ware scheduled for October 17.

The Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London right now

Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, selects five current exhibitions in London. These include Aleksandra Karpowicz's 'Remember What You Forgot' at Felstead Art, which transforms her cancer treatment into a powerful installation; Gabriel Abrantes' 'Bardo Loops' at Gasworks, featuring emotionally charged video works; Racheal Crowther's 'Liquid Trust' at Chisenhale Gallery, examining psychological manipulation through a militaristic structure; Eleanor May Watson's 'There is No Time Like Spring' at Soho Revue, capturing nostalgic domestic moments; and the group show 'South Open 4' at OHSH Projects, showcasing diverse works from an open call.

Vacant New Brunswick Bank Building to Become an Art Gallery in 2027

A vacant bank building in New Brunswick is set to be transformed into an art gallery, with plans to open in 2027. The project aims to repurpose the historic structure into a cultural venue for the local community.

New Orleans artist Andrew Lamar Hopkins channels folk art legend Clementine Hunter in new exhibit

The article profiles New Orleans artist Andrew Lamar Hopkins and his new exhibition "Her Way, His Way" at the Orleans Gallery on Julia Street. The show pairs Hopkins' contemporary folk-inspired works with paintings by the late, legendary Louisiana folk artist Clementine Hunter, who died in 1988. Hopkins, now 48, draws directly from Hunter's subjects—such as wildflower bouquets and pecan harvesting scenes—creating a dialogue between two artists who never met. The piece also traces Hopkins' career trajectory from a self-taught history nerd in Mobile, Alabama, to a rising star with works displayed in Venice during the Venice Biennale.

Munson Community Arts exhibition showcases adult students

Munson Community Arts is hosting an exhibition that highlights the work of adult students enrolled in its programs. The show features a range of visual art created by these students, celebrating their creative achievements and the skills they have developed through the organization's classes.

In Milan there is an art gallery where you can buy works by important artists all under 1000 euros

A Milano c’è una galleria d’arte dove si possono comprare opere di artisti importanti tutte a meno di 1000 euro

IONOI Gallery has opened in Milan at Via Perugino 24, founded by Alessia Rosato. The gallery debuts on April 15, 2026, with the exhibition "anew spring – prima che tutto accada," featuring 28 artists including Cesare Fullone, Giuseppe Frangi, Franko B., Antonio Marras, and Ercole Pignatelli. All works—prints, objects, and multiples—are priced under €1,000, aiming to make art collecting accessible. The space was formerly a showroom for designer Fabio Novembre.

Omaggio a Luigi Ghirri ad Artbox su Sky Arte

The new episode of Artbox on Sky Arte, airing May 26, focuses on the exhibition "Luigi Ghirri. A series of dreams. Paesaggi visivi e paesaggi sonori" at the Musei Civici and Teatro Valli in Reggio Emilia, which explores the unique relationship between Luigi Ghirri's photography and music. The episode features curator Ilaria Campioli and Adele Ghirri, president of the Fondazione Luigi Ghirri and the artist's daughter. Additionally, Maria Vittoria Baravelli's segment "Invito al viaggio" examines female royalty through art, cinema, and fashion, and the program visits the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Ricci Oddi in Piacenza to discuss recent renovations by architect Piero Lissoni. The episode also includes a book review of "Histoire des galeries d’art en France" by Alice Ensabella.

Clasutta Explores the Dynamics of Love in Solo Exhibition at Whitestone Gallery Singapore

Indonesian artist Clasutta presents a solo exhibition titled "Roommates?" at Whitestone Gallery Singapore, exploring the emotional dynamics of love and relationships through her playful painting style. The exhibition is part of a larger curatorial narrative called "Through Reverie: Love and Memory," which also features a concurrent presentation by Malaysian artist C.K. Koh titled "Folded Glimpses," drawing from his personal photographic archive. Clasutta's works trace the subtle shifts from lighthearted beginnings to spaces shaped by attachment, expectation, and unspoken negotiation, portraying love as fluid and ever-changing.

Cyborg Butterfly: Threshold | YOSHIAKI NAKAMURA

Japanese artist Yoshiaki Nakamura presents 'Cyborg Butterfly: Threshold', an exhibition featured on Ocula. The show explores the intersection of technology and nature through hybrid butterfly forms, blending organic and mechanical elements in a visual meditation on transformation and boundaries.

Theodoros Papagiannis: Reusing Materials For Art’s Slow Arrow, As An Antidote To Barbarism

Theodoros Papagiannis, a Greek sculptor and professor, is the subject of a tribute exhibition titled "In Praise of Sculpture" at the Sianti Gallery in Athens. The show features works by eighteen artists, all graduates of the 1st Sculpture Workshop of the Athens School of Fine Arts, honoring Papagiannis as their teacher. In an interview, Papagiannis discusses his philosophy of reusing materials, the importance of memory in art, and his belief that art must remain rooted in tradition while engaging with the present. He also reflects on Greece's sculptural heritage, the influence of ancient works like the Elgin Marbles, and his ongoing project of drawing from Greece's archaeological museums.

Fourth-floor exhibits at Yale Art Gallery are separate and independent but line up beautifully

The Yale Art Gallery's fourth floor is hosting five concurrent exhibitions running through June, including solo shows by John Coplans, August Sander, Jes Fan, and Hans Hofmann, alongside a group exhibition of American Impressionism featuring artists like Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, and Childe Hassam. The displays range from Coplans' intimate black-and-white self-portraits to Sander's sprawling photographic catalog of 20th-century German society, and from Fan's modern sculptures to Hofmann's bold abstract paintings.

An Arie de Vois for Washington

Un Arie de Vois pour Washington

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has acquired a self-portrait by the Dutch Golden Age painter Arie de Vois. The work, painted around 1660, depicts the artist in the guise of a hunter, a role that carried erotic connotations in 17th-century Netherlands—the Dutch words for 'hunting' and 'bird-catching' were slang for courtship and sexuality. This acquisition adds a rare and thematically layered example of De Vois's self-portraiture to the museum's collection.