Why Contemporary Artists Are Raiding the Renaissance Toolkit

Three contemporary artists—Alison Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Bühler-Rose, and Nick Doyle—are reviving the Renaissance woodworking techniques of intarsia and marquetry in their current exhibitions. Taylor is showing marquetry hybrid paintings at Jessica Silverman Gallery in San Francisco, Bühler-Rose is presenting a solo booth with Stems Gallery at Independent, and Doyle is also participating in the trend. Their work draws inspiration from the Gubbio Studiolo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a 15th-century trompe-l'œil room that exemplifies the decorative inlay tradition.

A Work Gifted to David Drake’s Descendants Is the Star of Theaster Gates’s Powerful Gagosian Show

Artist Theaster Gates has gifted a 19th-century vessel by enslaved potter David Drake to Drake's descendants and made this act of restitution the centerpiece of his solo exhibition at Gagosian in New York. The show, titled "Dave: All My Relations," features Gates's own artworks responding to Drake's legacy and the recently transferred pot, highlighting Gates's decades-long engagement with Drake as a foundational figure for his own practice.

Dutch Designer Iris van Herpen’s High-Tech Garments Are On View in a Mid-Career Retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum is opening a mid-career retrospective titled “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses,” showcasing the Dutch designer’s high-tech garments. The exhibition features over a decade of van Herpen’s work, including the first 3D-printed garment sent down a runway in 2010, pieces worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga, Björk, and Beyoncé, and new collaborations such as an algae dress grown from living microorganisms. Organized by senior curator Matthew Yokobosky, the show originated at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and has traveled internationally before arriving in Brooklyn, where it is augmented with objects from the museum’s collections in art, science, and natural history.

Luca De Michelis, chief executive of Marsilio Arte, on his favourite spots in Venice beyond the Biennale

Luca De Michelis, CEO of Marsilio Arte, shares his personal guide to Venice beyond the Biennale, highlighting historic sites, shopping, dining, and cultural venues. His recommendations include Palazzo Grimani, Micheluzzi Glass, the Gardens of the Church of the Redeemer on Giudecca, Antiche Carampane restaurant, the newly opened Dries Van Noten Foundation, San Giorgio Maggiore island, Codroma for spritz, and the upcoming exhibition 'Strange Rules' at Palazzo Diedo’s Berggruen Arts & Culture.

This 17th-Century ‘Supercomputer’ Could Set a New Auction Record

A rare 17th-century Mughal astrolabe, crafted in Lahore in 1612 by brothers Qa'im Muhammad and Muhammad Muqim, is heading to Sotheby's London on April 29 with an estimate of £1.5 million to £2.5 million ($2 million to $3.4 million). Weighing nearly 20 pounds and measuring the diameter of a large cooking pot, it is one of only two known astrolabes by these makers—the other resides in the National Museum of Iraq. Commissioned by Aqa Afzal, a Safavid-born deputy governor of Lahore, the instrument lists 94 cities, 38 stars, zodiac signs, and includes quadrants for trigonometry and solar calculations, blending Islamic and Sanskritic astronomical traditions.

Iris Van Herpen’s Groundbreaking Work Presented in New Exhibit at Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum opens "Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses," a mid-career retrospective of the Dutch fashion designer known for pioneering 3D-printed garments. The exhibition, which originated at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2023, features over a decade of van Herpen's work, including her first 3D-printed garment from 2010, pieces worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga, Björk, and Beyoncé, and new works such as an algae dress grown from 125 million living organisms. Organized by senior curator Matthew Yokobosky, the show spans eleven themes exploring van Herpen's fusion of traditional craftsmanship with technology, science, and nature.

Last chance: hurry to see these Parisian exhibitions before they close in May 2026.

A roundup article lists numerous exhibitions closing in May 2026 across Paris and the Île-de-France region, including shows at the Fondation Louis Vuitton (Nocturne Calder #1) and Perrotin Gallery (Soulages–Hartung: Elective Affinities, Lee Mingwei's When Beauty Appears, and Susumu Kamijo's When I Think of You in Spring). The piece also highlights free-entry days at castles and museums in Yvelines and Seine-et-Marne, and the Parcours d’art de la Boucle de Seine open-studio event.

Is This What “Made in America” Looks Like?

Christopher Payne's exhibition "Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne" at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum showcases 72 large-format photographs documenting active American factories and manufacturing processes. The trained architect turned photographer spent a decade visiting dozens of production sites across the United States, from the New York Times printing plant in Queens to the Bollman Hat Company in Pennsylvania, capturing workers' craftsmanship and the intricate steps involved in making everything from Peeps candies to jet engines. The exhibition is organized into three sections—traditional handcraft, large-scale production, and cutting-edge technologies—and coincides with the Smithsonian's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.

« La Boule » de Villeroy & Boch : l’art explosif et pop du pique-nique

Villeroy & Boch, the historic German porcelain manufacturer founded in 1748, launched "La Boule" ("Die Kugel") in 1971—a stackable 19-piece porcelain dinner service for four that compacts into a colorful decorative sphere. Designed by Helen von Boch, the eighth-generation family director, the set was part of a pop-design wave and came in original color variants that have since become collectors' items. The article also highlights related designs like the "La Bomba" picnic cutlery set (1968) and melamine set (1972), both held by MoMA, and notes Villeroy & Boch's collaborations with artists such as Keith Haring, Paloma Picasso, and Luigi Colani.

Museum Night in Paris and Île-de-France: 5 ideas to get off the beaten track

Nuit des musées à Paris et en Île-de-France : 5 idées pour sortir des sentiers battus

The article from Beaux Arts Magazine offers five alternative recommendations for experiencing the Nuit des Musées (Museum Night) in Paris and the Île-de-France region on May 23. Instead of visiting major museums like the Musée d'Orsay or the Grand Palais, readers are guided to lesser-known institutions and unique activities: exploring the craftsmanship of Sèvres porcelain at the Mobilier national, joining a festive dance workshop led by choreographer Wanjiru Kamuyu at the Palais de la Porte-Dorée, creating a collective fresco inspired by Jean Dubuffet at the Parc de l'Île Saint-Germain in Issy-les-Moulineaux, and immersing in the historical atmosphere of 1936 at the Musée de l'Histoire vivante in Montreuil.

fondazione dries van noten opens with inaugural exhibition at palazzo pisani moretta, venice

Fondazione Dries Van Noten has opened at Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice with its inaugural exhibition, "The Only True Protest Is Beauty," running from April 25 to October 4, 2026. Curated by Dries Van Noten himself, the show features over 200 works across twenty rooms, blending fashion, art, design, ceramics, glass, and photography. Highlights include archival pieces by Christian Lacroix and Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, alongside works by emerging and established artists such as Ayham Hassan, Peter Buggenhout, Ritsue Mishima, and Misha Kahn. The exhibition avoids a fixed curatorial logic, instead using instinctive juxtapositions to explore beauty as tension and disruption.

Black Designers as Fine Artists: Fashion Meets Sculpture

The article from Ebony.com explores the intersection of fashion and fine art, highlighting how Black designers are increasingly being recognized as fine artists whose work bridges clothing design and sculpture. It profiles several contemporary Black designers who create garments that function as sculptural objects, exhibited in galleries and museums rather than solely on runways. The piece examines how these creators challenge traditional boundaries between fashion and art, using materials and techniques that elevate their work into the realm of fine art.

Milan Design Week 2026: A Guide to What to See in the Brera District

Milano Design Week 2026: guida alle cose da vedere nel distretto di Brera

The Brera Design District has unveiled its extensive programming for Milan Design Week 2026, featuring over 300 events and 217 showrooms under the theme "Essere Progetto." Key highlights include Yinka Ilori’s immersive installation for Veuve Clicquot, a major showcase of Uzbek craftsmanship at Palazzo Citterio curated by Kulapat Yantrasast, and Sara Ricciardi’s large-scale inflatable installation at the Pinacoteca di Brera. To manage the high volume of visitors, organizers have introduced the "Fuorisalone Passport," a digital platform designed to streamline entry and registration across various locations.

Australian Sculptor Ron Mueck Returns to Tokyo

A major retrospective of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck has opened at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, featuring eleven of his meticulously crafted figurative works, including the Japan premiere of 'Mass' (100 giant human skulls). The exhibition, co-organized by the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, travels to Tokyo after stops in Paris, Milan, and Seoul, and includes iconic pieces such as 'Woman with Sticks' and 'Angel', the latter installed on the museum's 53rd floor overlooking the city.

Thousands of Strips of Silk Undulate in Kenny Nguyen’s ‘Deconstructed Paintings’

Kenny Nguyen, a Vietnamese-born artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina, creates large-scale wall works using thousands of hand-cut strips of silk. Drawing on his background in fashion design, he employs techniques like pinning, weaving, sewing, and layering to produce what he calls “deconstructed paintings.” Each piece is built around an imaginary body, with creases and undulating forms that evoke movement. Though the works appear fixed, they are malleable—their shape changes depending on pin placement during installation. Nguyen’s work is currently on view in the group exhibition *Textile Art Redefined* at Saatchi Gallery in London.

Joe Macken Spent 22 Years Building a Miniature New York by Hand

Joe Macken, a truck driver from upstate New York, spent 22 years building a 50-by-27-foot miniature scale model of New York City entirely from balsa wood, cardboard, and glue. The model, which includes all five boroughs and landmarks like the Twin Towers and One World Trade Center, went viral on TikTok after Macken’s daughter encouraged him to post a video. It is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York in an exhibition titled *He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model*.

This Years Met Gala Felt More Like an Art Exhibition Than a Red Carpet

The 2026 Met Gala, held on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, was widely described as feeling more like an art exhibition than a traditional red carpet. The theme, "Costume Art," with the dress code "Fashion Is Art," encouraged celebrities to treat their bodies as canvases. Beyoncé made a highly anticipated return after a decade, serving as a co-chair alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. Beyoncé wore a sculptural skeleton-inspired design by Olivier Rousteing, while Kiddon wore a shimmering red Chanel gown and Williams donned a Swarovski crystal gown inspired by her Smithsonian portrait. Other notable looks included Sabrina Carpenter in a Dior dress made from vintage film strips, Kendall Jenner referencing classical sculpture, Madonna channeling surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, and Heidi Klum arriving as a marble statue. Inside, live performances by Sabrina Carpenter and Stevie Nicks added to the spectacle.

In Venice, Wallace Chan’s Titanium Sculptures Offer Introspection and Reckoning

Wallace Chan, a Chinese sculptor and gem master, has opened a new exhibition titled “Vessels of Other Worlds” at the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà in Venice during the 61st Venice Biennale. The show features large-scale titanium sculptures that explore themes of life cycles, mortality, and introspection, with the artist drawing inspiration from the sounds of the city, including Vivaldi’s music from a neighboring church. Chan, who has presented works at two previous biennials in Venice, also marks his 70th birthday this year with a concurrent show at Shanghai’s Long Museum in July.

One Fine Show: “Wes Anderson, The Archives” at the Design Museum in London

The Design Museum in London has opened "Wes Anderson: The Archives," the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the filmmaker. Featuring over 700 pieces of ephemera—including costumes, props, stop-motion puppets, miniature models, paintings, and Anderson's notebooks and storyboards—the show draws from a personal archive he has built since 1998. The exhibition, a collaboration with la Cinémathèque française in Paris where it premiered last year, has been expanded by some 300 additional objects for its London run. It runs through July 26, 2026.

Nick Cave’s “Mammoth” Collection of Objects Is a Public Deep Dive Into Personal History

Nick Cave's immersive solo exhibition "Mammoth" is on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through January 3, 2027. The show features a vast, illuminated table covered with hundreds of everyday objects—faux fruits, bejeweled vegetables, wooden canes, glass fish, toy trucks, and leather slippers—arranged with deliberate purpose. Alongside these collected items, Cave has constructed mammoth hides and bones, and a video projection brings the ancient creatures to life. The exhibition draws deeply on Cave's personal history growing up in Missouri, with memories of his grandparents' farm and his family's traditions of making, quilting, and craftsmanship informing the assemblage.

9 Spectacular Art and Fashion Exhibitions You Can’t Miss in 2026

The article previews nine major art and fashion exhibitions scheduled for 2026 across Europe and the United States. Highlights include the V&A's first UK survey of Elsa Schiaparelli, tracing her radical approach to couture; ICA Miami's immersive Dolce&Gabbana showcase celebrating Italian craftsmanship; the Met's comprehensive Raphael exhibition featuring over 170 works; the Musée d'Orsay's exploration of Renoir's joyful modernity; and Palais Galliera's look at 18th-century fashion's lasting influence.

The super architect Kengo Kuma on display at the Bonsai Museum, a magical place on the outskirts of Milan

Il super architetto Kengo Kuma in mostra al Museo del Bonsai, luogo magico alle porte di Milano

The Crespi Bonsai Museum in Parabiago, near Milan, is hosting an exhibition during Fuorisalone featuring the new carpet collection "Faces" by Indian brand Jaipur Rugs, created in collaboration with renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The museum, founded 35 years ago by Luigi Crespi, houses the world's most important collection of author bonsai outside Japan, including a thousand-year-old Ficus retusa. The 16 carpets in the collection reinterpret the facades of iconic buildings by Kengo Kuma & Associates, translating their rhythm, depth, and sensory memory into wool and regenerated viscose, displayed among the bonsai and in the museum's zen garden.

La restitution du lit de Louis XVI

The Château de Versailles has inaugurated the restored private bedroom of King Louis XVI, featuring a fully recreated bed that was burned during the French Revolution. The project, which took forty years of research and craftsmanship, involved reconstructing the bed from sparse 18th-century archives, including a sculptor's memorandum by Babel and a fabric sample preserved by the silk manufacturer Tassinari & Chatel. The restoration also includes a commode from the Château de Compiègne, as the original is at Chantilly, and follows principles of harmony in gilding and textile motifs.

The 10th Max Mara Art Prize for Women

第10回マックスマーラ・アート・プライズ・フォー・ウィメン

The 10th Max Mara Art Prize for Women has been awarded to Indonesian artist Dian Suci, marking the first time the prize has been held in Asia. Suci was selected from five finalists for her project "Crafting Spirit: Cultural Dialogues in Heritage and Practice," which examines the intersection of religious craftsmanship traditions and capitalist systems. The prize is organized in partnership with the Museum MACAN in Jakarta. Suci will undertake a six-month residency in Italy, followed by solo exhibitions in 2027 at both Museum MACAN and Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia.

Sacramental Value: “The Holy Sepulcher” at the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is hosting "The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem," a rare exhibition of sacred objects from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Curated by Xavier F. Salomon, the show features ornate metalwork, textiles, and vestments dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, drawn from the Terra Sancta Museum's collection and traveling to only two U.S. venues. The exhibition includes pieces such as a gilt silver reliquary from 1628-29 and a gold crucifix from 1756, displayed in low lighting to evoke a candlelit church atmosphere.

Margot Robbie Returns to Met Gala 2026 in Stunning Gold Chanel Couture After 3-Year Break

Margot Robbie made a return to the Met Gala 2026 after a three-year absence, wearing a custom gold Chanel couture gown designed by new creative director Matthieu Blazy. The dress featured nearly 1,100 pieces of embroidery, required 761 hours of craftsmanship, and aligned with the evening's theme 'Fashion Is Art.' The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also previewed the museum's spring 2026 exhibition 'Costume Art,' curated by Andrew Bolton.

Daniel Roseberry plays tour guide at V&A Museum’s Schiaparelli exhibit

Creative director Daniel Roseberry led an intimate tour of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s landmark exhibition, "Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art," which opened in London on March 28, 2026. The retrospective features over 400 objects, ranging from Elsa Schiaparelli’s 1927 trompe l’oeil sweaters and the 1938 Skeleton Dress to Roseberry’s contemporary surrealist designs. During the walkthrough with British Vogue, Roseberry highlighted the historical continuity between the house’s archival disruption and his modern innovations like the hand-painted puzzle dress.

Barber Osgerby, a British Design Team, Is Honored in Milan

The Triennale Milano is hosting a dedicated exhibition celebrating the prolific output of the British design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. The showcase highlights the studio's influential career, featuring a range of industrial design projects that have defined modern British aesthetics over the past two decades.

In Venice, famous street artist JR completely wraps a historic palazzo with an installation

A Venezia il famoso street artist JR avvolge completamente un palazzo storico con un’installazione

Street artist JR has wrapped the historic Palazzo Ca' da Mosto in Venice—now the Venice Venice Hotel—with a large-scale installation timed to the 61st Venice Biennale. The project, titled "Il Gesto," reinterprets Paolo Veronese's 1563 masterpiece "The Wedding at Cana" as a contemporary fresco featuring 176 people from the Refettorio Paris community kitchen. Inside the palazzo, an immersive installation combines photographic portraits, reflective surfaces, and audio recordings to create a layered narrative. A monumental tapestry woven by Giovanni Bonotto and the Fondazione Bonotto, made from recycled plastic, wool, cotton, and washi paper, extends the work into a durable, contemplative form.

A Firenze c’è da vedere una mostra sulla creatività degli Anni Venti

A new exhibition titled "Firenze Déco. Atmosfere degli anni Venti" has opened at Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, running until August 25, 2026. Curated by Lucia Mannini and promoted by Città Metropolitana di Firenze with Fondazione MUS.E, the show explores the creative explosion of the 1920s in Florence, focusing on decorative arts, fashion, graphic design, and manufacturing. It highlights figures such as Gio Ponti for Richard-Ginori, Galileo Chini, Thayaht, Ferragamo, and Gucci, tracing how the city absorbed influences from Paris and the 1925 Exposition des Arts Décoratifs to forge its own distinctive Deco style. The exhibition features ceramics, furniture, jewelry, costumes, and period photographs, and is accompanied by an interview with the curator.