Exit Homo?

Hua Wang and Emanuel Heim are presenting their dual exhibition "Natural Inversions" in Berlin, curated by John Silvis. The show features abstract queer painting, sculptural installations, and explores themes of perception, materiality, and transformation. An artist talk moderated by Monopol editor Sebastian Frenzel accompanies the exhibition, where the artists discuss transhumanism, artificial intelligence, spirituality, and how technology is reshaping our understanding of being human.

Take this arty road trip, and dive into the work of a top Colorado talent

Artist Ana María Hernando currently has solo exhibitions at both the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, a rare double-header in Colorado art history. In Denver, "Seguir cantando (Keep Singing)" fills the museum's second floor with new and recent works, while in Colorado Springs, "Cantando Bajito (Singing Softly)" functions more as a career retrospective. Both shows feature Hernando's signature textile installations made from yards of tulle, including the monumental new piece "Seguimos cantando (Waterfalls)" at MCA Denver.

'Do or die': Flick's journey from jail to artist and First Nations mentor

Flick Chafer-Smith, a First Nations artist, turned her life around after being incarcerated on her 18th birthday and spending six years in and out of prison due to drug addiction. Through the Victorian Indigenous arts program The Torch, she discovered painting as a means of expression and healing. She is now among 424 artists featured in Confined 17, an annual exhibition at Glen Eira Town Hall showcasing works by First Nations artists with lived experience of incarceration in Victoria. The exhibition includes paintings, weavings, ceramics, and carved emu eggs, with sales proceeds going directly to the artists.

From Ashes to Light, Brooklyn Arts Group Rebounds After a Fire

After a fire destroyed its home base in Red Hook in September 2025, the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) is presenting its first in-person exhibition, "Unmoored / Unbound," at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The juried group show features 40 artists working across various mediums, exploring themes of loss, transition, liberation, and resilience. The exhibition runs from May 22 to August 9, 2025, with an opening reception on May 21.

Park Soo-keun's Early Recognition and Record-Breaking Art Sales

A newly discovered 1931 newspaper article reveals that the renowned Korean artist Park Soo-keun (1914–1965) received early public recognition as a teenager in the Chosun Ilbo, which described him as the "only painter in Yanggu." The article traces his artistic journey from his first selection at the Chosun Art Exhibition in 1932 with his watercolor *Spring Arrives* to his later success in the 1950s and 1960s, including winning awards at the National Art Exhibition and being appointed a judge. It also notes that his painting *The Laundry Place* recently sold for 4.7 billion won, setting a record at a domestic art auction.

Exploring Shekhawati: Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery of frescoed havelis

The article explores the Shekhawati region of northern Rajasthan, India, known as the world's largest open-air art gallery. It focuses on the 18th–20th century merchant havelis (mansions) hand-painted with intricate frescoes, many of which are now being restored as heritage hotels. The author recounts a personal stay at Malji Ka Kamra, a restored haveli in Mandawa, describing its blend of Italianate and Rajput architecture and the overwhelming frescoes covering every surface, depicting portraits, floral motifs, and scenes of daily life.

NRW will Verbot für Handel mit Holocaust-Dokumenten

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is introducing a legislative bill to ban the commercial trade of personal Holocaust documents and artifacts, such as letters from concentration camps, Gestapo cards, and yellow stars. The initiative follows international outrage over a planned auction in Neuss in November 2025, which was halted at the last moment; around 460 objects from that auction were transferred to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation. The bill, to be presented at the Bundesrat session on May 8, aims to prohibit the sale of items directly linked to Nazi victims, while exempting museums, archives, and research institutions.

Student-curated exhibition to explore ‘The Shape of Being’ at Washington Gallery

A student-curated exhibition titled 'The Shape of Being' opens Friday at Washington Gallery in Waco, Texas. Organized by Baylor University senior Aleah Burns, the show features work from five female Baylor student artists, each contributing three pieces plus a collaborative installation centered on hands. The exhibition focuses on figurative painting, exploring themes of identity, memory, human connection, and technology-mediated relationships. Featured works include Kate Swayze's 'Left Unsaid,' which uses layered materials like reused painting rags, and Burns' own 'Unstable Connection,' depicting fragmented figures embracing through screens.

Leeum's installation art exhibition explores women-led history of genre

The Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul will open the exhibition "Inside Other Spaces" on May 5, featuring 11 installation artists from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The show reconstructs full-scale environments from 1956 to 1976, including Korean artist Jung Kang-ja's "Incorporeal Exhibition" (1970), which was forcibly dismantled by the Korean government and is being rebuilt for the first time. The exhibition previously appeared at Munich's Haus der Kunst, Rome's Maxxi, and Hong Kong's M+, with each venue expanding its scope.

A parking structure transforms to public art gallery

A parking structure at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach is being transformed into a walkable public art gallery featuring murals by eleven artists. The project, organized by City of Hope Orange County and Lido Marina Village, centers on the theme “Hope is a Rising Tide.” Murals include depictions of City of Hope cancer patients and themes of science and innovation. The final mural, “Hope on the Horizon” by artist RFX1, measures 64 by 8 feet and is currently being completed. The space is free and open to the public.

Schreyer Honors College installs art gallery featuring student art

Schreyer Honors College at Penn State has opened a new art gallery called “Illuminate” on the ground floor of Atherton Hall, featuring artwork from four Schreyer Scholars. The inaugural exhibition includes pieces by Olivia Knoechel, Jessica Matinchek, Paige Rishel, and Lisa Wang, selected by a panel of staff, students, and alumni artist Kaleigh Quinnan. The gallery opened on April 10 with a celebration attended by family, friends, and college staff.

Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre Partners with Local School For Dementia Friendly Art Exhibition Visit

Residents of Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre, part of CHD Living, visited a dementia-friendly art exhibition and sculpture trail hosted by King Edward School, Witley, in partnership with appART. Wellbeing Coordinator Karen accompanied residents on short walks to the school, where they engaged with artworks including Beatles-themed pieces and a tiger sculpture. One resident, Nick, was encouraged to apply to exhibit his own work at next year's event, while another resident, Karen, who had previously declined outings, participated calmly and enthusiastically.

Fourth annual Student Art Exhibition adds more artists and expands sponsors

Marquette University held its fourth annual Student Art Exhibition on April 23, 2026, at the Lemonis Center for Student Success, featuring ten student artists each awarded a $500 stipend to create works around themes such as “Culture & Career,” “Defining Success,” “Belonging at Marquette,” and “Expanding Horizons.” The event, organized by Career Center director Courtney Hanson, included pieces by Jessica Wrobel and Salo Aristizabal, among others, and was sponsored by the Career Center, the Division of Belonging and Student Affairs, the Lemonis Center, Raynor Library, and Enterprise Mobility.

Berliner Kulturverwaltung arbeitet an Reformen

Berlin's cultural administration is pressing ahead with reforms to make funding for projects against antisemitism legally secure, following the resignation of Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson. Cultural State Secretary Cerstin Richter-Kotowski told the culture committee that a working group established under Wedl-Wilson is now implementing recommendations from the state audit office report, which had found serious legal violations and omissions in the allocation of funds for antisemitism prevention projects. Richter-Kotowski emphasized that the administration continues its normal operations despite the leadership change, and she publicly thanked both Wedl-Wilson and the recently dismissed State Secretary Oliver Friederici for their service.

"Bloom Beyond Sight" , 2026

Bonu Deji's painting "Bloom Beyond Sight" (2026) is being offered for sale through Art R us gallery in Naples, Florida. The acrylic and oil on canvas work, sized 25 × 31 inches, is priced at US$1,400 and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Deji, a Nigerian artist born in 2003 and based in Lagos, creates figurative works exploring poverty, labor, resilience, and human dignity. The piece was exhibited in 2026 at Art R us's breakout exhibition of the artist and previously in the 2025 group show "Faces of Us" at The Zebra Gallery.

"The Watchful Savior" , 2026

Bonu Deji's painting "The Watchful Savior" (2026) is being offered for sale through Art R us gallery in Naples, Florida. The acrylic and oil on canvas work, measuring 25 × 31 inches, is priced at US$1,400 and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Deji, a Nigerian contemporary visual artist born in 2003 and based in Lagos, creates figurative works exploring poverty, labor, resilience, and human dignity. The piece was previously exhibited in the gallery's 2026 solo presentation of the artist and in the 2025 group show "Faces of Us" at The Zebra Gallery.

Photo London 2026

Photo London 2026, the upcoming edition of the capital's premier photography fair, is being promoted with a special feature in which four artists present London through their own photographic perspectives. The article also covers feminist photo collage, a project by Thomas Duffield exploring father-son relationships, and an interview with the director of The Photographer's Gallery.

This art exhibition celebrates lazy days and doing nothing

Irish comics artist Niall Breen is debuting his exhibition "Lazy Days with Dog & Frog" at Heartware Store and Gallery in Singapore from 29 May to 26 July 2026. The show features his beloved dog and frog characters, which have gained a large social media following for their raw, relatable depictions of everyday life, quiet moments, and the simple act of doing nothing. Alongside the artworks, visitors can purchase exclusive merchandise, including limited-edition woven throws, and attend an artist talk on 30 May 2026.

Eye opening: Artist speaks through the eyes in his artwork

Alexandre Emmanuel Henrique, a Brazilian-born artist now living in Cary, North Carolina, has a solo exhibition titled "BraFro" at the Waterworks Visual Arts Center in Salisbury. The show is part of the gallery's larger exhibit "ART from ALL Perspectives." Henrique's paintings explore his family history, particularly the story of his great-grandmother, who was enslaved in Brazil after being brought from Africa. The works use eyes as a central motif to convey emotion and narrative, ranging from sorrow to joy, with titles like "Sorrow" and "Once Upon a Time." Henrique works primarily in oils, and many pieces were created specifically for this exhibition.

Parkville exhibit celebrates 99-year-old artist who began drawing later in life

Nita Draut, a 99-year-old artist who began drawing at age 70, is being honored with a new exhibition at Fusion Art Gallery in Parkville. Staff at Ascend Healthcare noticed her graphite drawings and helped organize the show as she approaches her 100th birthday while receiving hospice care. Draut sketches people she encounters in everyday life, often asking strangers for permission to draw them.

La storica discoteca Paradiso di Rimini si trasforma in un polo per l’arte. La storia

The historic Paradiso nightclub in Rimini, Italy, which opened in 1957 and became one of Europe's most famous discos, is being transformed into a cultural hub. Acquired at auction in 2018 by Filo Srl after years of abandonment, the site underwent extensive renovation beginning in 2023. The new venue, named Casa Paradiso Art Gallery, is set to open between October and November 2026. It will feature art exhibitions, fashion shows, and corporate events, housed in a sustainable building that retains symbolic elements of its past, such as the iconic entrance gate.

Chiamata aperta ad artisti e architetti under 35 a Roma. Obiettivo? Progettare un’opera in dialogo col Gazometro

A new open call for artists and architects under 35 has been launched in Rome, inviting proposals for a public artwork in dialogue with the iconic Gazometro (gasometer) in the Ostiense district. The initiative is promoted by Spazio Taverna in collaboration with Eni and ROAD – Rome Advanced District, and was announced on May 21 during the event "ON THE ROAD – Distretti di Innovazione." Participants are asked to design a monument, pavilion, or installation that engages with the former industrial complex, now a creative hub hosting the cultural program Arte al Gazometro since 2024. A jury including Marco Bassan, Ludovico Pratesi, Mattia Voltaggio, Claudio Quaternato, and Lorenza Baroncelli will select the winner, who will receive a €3,000 prize; the ten finalists will be published on Artribune and gain access to a Masterclass at the School of Vision. Submissions are open from May 21 to July 31, 2026, with results announced in September.

Veneto: In Place of a Liberty Café in Recoaro Terme, a Contemporary Art Center Opens. Interview with the Curator

Veneto: al posto di un caffè liberty di Recoaro Terme apre un centro d’arte contemporanea. Intervista alla curatrice

The historic Palazzo Caffè Nazionale in Recoaro Terme, a small spa town in the Veneto region of Italy, is being transformed into a contemporary art center called Cantiere del Contemporaneo, set to open on May 2, 2026. The project, curated by Elisabetta Bacchin, will focus on artist residencies, with the inaugural group including Romesh Bothalage, Pietro Chiarello, Francesco Pizzocchero, and Virginia Stevenin, who will work for two months in the converted spaces. The initiative is part of a broader regeneration plan funded by the National Plan for Borghi and the European Union's PNRR funds, aiming to revitalize the town's cultural and economic identity through contemporary art.

In Valcamonica il Parco archeologico di Luine ha chiuso e non si sa se e quando riaprirà: la storia

The Luine Archaeological Park in Valcamonica, Italy, closed on April 1, 2026, after the municipality of Darfo Boario Terme, led by Mayor Dario Colossi, failed to renew the management contract held by Zamenhof Art and ArchExperience. The park, which houses rock engravings dating back to the end of the Paleolithic period (about 13,000 years ago), is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a unique part of the Camunian park system. Weeks after the closure, the park remains in limbo with no clear reopening date, while multimedia installations and digital content created by the former managers are being removed. The story has received little media attention beyond local outlets.

Downtown Janesville art gallery, maker space Raven's Wish plans to move

Raven's Wish, a downtown Janesville art gallery and maker space, is relocating from its current 4,000-square-foot location at 101 W. Milwaukee St. to a smaller downtown space. Owner Kegane Rynes, who bought the business from former owner Alicia Reed two years ago, says the move is driven by a need for a layout that better suits the shop's evolving focus on art classes and creative workspace. The business, which includes a pottery studio called Pottery By Five run by partner Heather Hansen, has seen growing demand for classes and aims to separate retail, framing, and workshop areas more intentionally.

Exhibition celebrates the horse's cultural role

An exhibition titled 'New Steeds of the Silk Road' has opened at Yanhuang Art Museum in Beijing, featuring horse-themed paintings and sculptures by artists from China and Belarus. The show celebrates the horse as a symbol of strength, courage, freedom, and loyalty, and coincides with the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. It runs until May 18.

Fairborn Art gallery to open to public

The article, sourced from Beavercreek News Current, reports that the Fairborn Art Gallery is preparing to open its doors to the public. The specific details of the gallery's location, opening date, and featured exhibitions are not available due to the article being blocked by a security verification page.

China Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia: Dream Stream

The China Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia has been announced under the title "Dream Stream." The pavilion will be part of the prestigious Venice Biennale, one of the world's most important contemporary art exhibitions, and is organized by the Chinese government or cultural authorities. The announcement was made via a press release distributed by PR Newswire, highlighting China's continued participation in this global art event.

Vacant Cincinnati warehouse to become new visual arts center

A long-vacant warehouse on Stathem Avenue in Westwood, Ohio, is being converted into the Apropos Art Society, a visual arts center. The project will include eight artist studios, a classroom for public workshops, and an art gallery, with the owners collaborating with an architect and contractor to transform the former plumbing warehouse. The center is expected to open by the end of the year.

Dugg Ci Dox (DUGG) by Ousmane Ba Exhibition

Ousmane Ba's exhibition 'Dugg Ci Dox (DUGG)' is being held in Tokyo, as reported by Tokyo Weekender. The show presents the artist's work, likely exploring themes of movement, place, or cultural identity through visual art.