MCA Chicago show explores the power of Dancehall and Reggaeton

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has launched "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón," an interdisciplinary exhibition exploring the political and cultural impact of Caribbean music genres. Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, the show was inspired by the 2019 "perreo combativo" protests in Puerto Rico that led to the governor's resignation. The exhibition features a diverse array of media, including paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Denzil Forrester, sculptures by Michael Richards, and archival materials like Dancehall posters and sound system equipment.

Exhibition at Mons Museum of Fine Arts explores Belgian art and the communist utopia

The Mons Museum of Fine Arts has launched "Plural Perspectives: Belgian Art and the Communist Utopia in the 20th Century," an exhibition running from April 11 to August 16. The showcase traces nearly a hundred years of Belgian artistic production influenced by the communist movement, featuring a diverse array of mediums including painting, sculpture, and monumental works by figures such as René Magritte and Frans Masereel.

Clash of the Renaissance titans: an intriguing double biography of Titian and Michelangelo

Art historian William E. Wallace explores the parallel lives and artistic philosophies of the two greatest masters of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo and Titian. The narrative examines the traditional art-historical divide between the Florentine emphasis on 'disegno' (structured drawing and design) and the Venetian mastery of 'colore' (spontaneous, painterly execution), while highlighting how these two titans influenced one another despite their distinct approaches.

A Francis Bacon self-portrait and a Surrealist avian painting: our pick of the March auctions

Major auction houses in London are preparing for a series of high-profile sales in March, featuring significant works by Francis Bacon, René Magritte, and Osman Hamdi Bey. Highlights include a 1972 Bacon self-portrait gifted to his doctor following a studio injury, a rare Magritte "leaf-bird" painting appearing at auction for the first time in 25 years, and a monumental 19th-century work by Turkish artist Osman Hamdi Bey being sold by the Penn Museum.

Last Year’s Art Market: Only Works by Proven Artists Survived

The Korea Art Authentication and Appraisal Institute (KAAAI) released its "2025 Art Market Analysis Report" on January 21, 2026, revealing that the Korean art market grew 5.16% in total auction sales to 142.7 billion won, despite a decline in the number of lots offered. The global market saw a similar trend: combined sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips rose 11.1% to $4.56 billion, but the number of works sold fell by 33.3%. Demand concentrated on high-priced blue-chip works by artists like Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Mark Rothko, René Magritte, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, while ultra-contemporary art sales plunged 39.1%.

In his own words: Antwerp museum uses AI to recreate Magritte's voice

The DEK Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) has used artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of Surrealist artist René Magritte for its exhibition "Magritte. La ligne de vie." The AI-generated voice delivers Magritte's 1938 lecture—the only time he spoke publicly about his work—which was never recorded but survived through slides and a transcript by fellow Surrealist Marcel Mariën. The exhibition, on view until February 2026, features over 100 works and is structured around key themes from that lecture.

Philadelphia Art Museum exhibit on surrealism features monsters from Greek mythology and a lobster telephone

The Philadelphia Art Museum (PhAM) opens "Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100," a traveling exhibition celebrating the centennial of surrealism. The show features works by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Leonora Carrington, and Man Ray, including Dalí's lobster telephone and pieces inspired by Greek mythology. It is the final and only American stop on the tour, previously shown in Brussels, Paris, Hamburg, and Madrid, and runs through February 16, 2026.

Japanese museum’s collection of Western art could bring $60m at auction

The Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art, a private museum near Tokyo that closed permanently in March 2025, has consigned 80 works from its collection of Western modernism to Christie’s. The consignment is expected to generate at least $60 million across multiple sales in New York this autumn, led by a 1907 Claude Monet *Nymphéas* painting estimated at $40 million. Other highlights include a Pierre-Auguste Renoir *Baigneuse* from 1891, two Marc Chagall paintings, and works by artists such as Mark Rothko, Pablo Picasso, and Cy Twombly. The museum’s parent company, DIC Corporation, plans to retain only about 100 works and sell the remaining roughly 280 pieces gradually.

This Is What Happens When an Art Auction Bidder Changes Their Mind

Auction houses are grappling with a rise in bidders attempting to back out of winning bids, often citing flimsy excuses like cats jumping on keyboards. Richard Wright, CEO of Rago/Wright, describes a 'cat button' on their website that locks the bid button to prevent accidental clicks, but some buyers still renege by blaming spouses or pets. The problem has worsened with online bidding, as remote participants may not grasp the binding nature of a winning bid. Houses like Freeman | Hindman and Eldred's require deposits and registration to mitigate risks, but defaults persist, with Wright estimating 1% of sales become problematic.

Art Leven to open new Woolloomooloo gallery featuring First Nations works

Art Leven, formerly known as Cooee Art, has officially opened its new multi-level, purpose-built gallery space in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. The relocation marks a significant new chapter for one of Australia’s oldest fine art galleries dedicated to First Nations artists. The inaugural program features a major solo exhibition of paintings by Pintupi artist Mitjili Napanangka Gibson titled "The Places That Know Us," alongside "Gatherings," a group exhibition of bronze and aluminium sculptures produced in collaboration with Urban Art Projects.

Daniel Sackheim Traverses Los Angeles’ Noir Side in ‘The City Unseen’

Emmy Award-winning director and photographer Daniel Sackheim is set to release a new photography book titled 'The City Unseen,' which explores the noir aesthetic of Los Angeles. Moving away from the city's sunny stereotypes, Sackheim utilizes high-contrast black-and-white photography to capture a gritty, cinematic underbelly inspired by hardboiled detective novels and historic urban architecture. The project features dramatic silhouettes and deep shadows that create a sense of timeless mystery across iconic L.A. locales.

Une souscription pour la Maison-atelier Lurçat

The Académie des beaux-arts has launched a subscription campaign to acquire a monumental tapestry by Jean Lurçat, recently rediscovered by Christie's. The tapestry, titled *Bestiaire* (1930), measures 3 by 6.45 meters and was originally created for the artist's home-studio in Paris's 14th arrondissement. It will be publicly unveiled at Christie's Paris on May 6–7, 2025, before a private sale between the Académie and the auction house for €110,000. Donations are being collected online or by check to fund the purchase.

Façade collapse and vandalism at the Saint-Roch church in Paris

Effondrement de façade et vandalisme à l'église Saint-Roch de Paris

A significant portion of the cornice on the right side of the façade of the historic Saint-Roch church in Paris collapsed on March 9, 2026. Fortunately, no one was injured. The incident follows a pattern of similar structural failures at Parisian churches like Saint-Paul, Saint-Merry, and Saint-Augustin. Almost simultaneously, the church was targeted by vandals who severely damaged a gilded wooden altar in the shape of the Ark of the Covenant, a work from 1840 designed by architect Charles Lelong, just before its planned restoration was set to begin.

China Orders Nationwide Museum Audit After Missing Masterpieces Scandal

China's National Cultural Heritage Administration has mandated a comprehensive, item-by-item inventory of all state-run museum collections following a major scandal at the Nanjing Museum. The audit aims to verify that objects listed in official records physically exist in storage, a direct response to the discovery that donated national treasures, including a valuable Ming dynasty painting, were improperly transferred or sold into the private market over decades.

‘Grit’ exhibition highlights artists’ perseverance at Echo Contemporary

A new group exhibition titled 'Grit' opened at Echo Contemporary Art in Atlanta's Echo Street West, featuring works by local artists in painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, tech-driven pieces, and a quilt by Evereman. Co-curated by Alfonso Alday Vergara of Alday Hunken Gallery, Melanie Shaw of ArtShare, and Kyle McNeill (BignPasty), the show explores the theme of perseverance in art-making. The opening night reception drew a crowd, and the week-long exhibition includes artist talks, live music, and a panel discussion with Hayley Smith of SCOPE Art Show and Plushette Ellis of Artistic Logistics.

Collectible design fair’s second New York outing marries ‘folly’ and practicality

The Collectible design fair returns to New York for its second edition, taking place from September 4-7 at the WSA building in the Financial District during Armory Week. Founded in Brussels in 2018 by Clélie Debehault and Liv Vaisberg, the fair brings together international galleries, designers, and architects for a curated showcase of 21st-century design. This year's edition occupies the 39th floor, spanning over 30,000 square feet, and features six curated sections including a buzzy section titled "In Praise of Folly" curated by Architectural Digest's Hannah Martin. Around 60% of exhibitors are from the United States, with the rest from Europe and beyond, including Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey.

Her Museum Was Surviving in Russia. Then the Threats Became Too Much.

Nailya Allakhverdiyeva, the longtime director of the PERMM Museum of Contemporary Art in Perm, Russia, has fled the country following escalating intimidation and a raid by security forces. Despite her efforts to maintain the institution's integrity through strategic compromises and "Aesopian language" to navigate tightening censorship, the pressure became untenable after she was interrogated and her home was searched by the F.S.B. in connection with activist Pyotr Verzilov.

In Shaker Design, a Zeal for No Zeal

The New York Times explores the enduring influence of Shaker design on contemporary artists and designers, highlighting how its principles of simplicity, utility, and spiritual integrity resonate in today's world. The article features creators like furniture maker Thomas Moser and ceramicist Mary Law, who draw directly from Shaker aesthetics of plainness, proportion, and honest craftsmanship.

From Comics to TV: Quino's Legendary Mafalda Becomes an Animated Series

Dal fumetto alla tv: la mitica Mafalda di Quino diventa una serie animata

Netflix has announced a new animated series based on the iconic comic strip Mafalda, directed by Academy Award-winner Juan José Campanella. Produced by Mundoloco CGI, the project coincides with the 60th anniversary of the character's debut and marks a transition from the traditional black-and-white print medium to a dynamic, colorized digital format. The series aims to preserve the sharp social commentary and rebellious spirit of the original illustrations created by the late Argentine cartoonist Quino.

EastEnders' Jake Wood forced to close art exhibit amid 'abusive behaviour'

EastEnders actor Jake Wood has closed his art exhibition at Indelible Fine Arts in Brighton after a furious backlash over the inclusion of AI-generated imagery in his works. The gallery announced the decision, citing “abusive” messages directed at them and stating that the exhibition’s original message had been “lost.” Wood, known for playing Max Branning on the BBC soap, had curated the show to raise funds for Dementia UK, but controversy erupted when viewers discovered that some pieces—including portraits of Attenborough and Trump—incorporated pre-existing AI source imagery.

Winners of the Leicester Open announced

The winners of the Leicester Open exhibition have been announced, with Simon Farrow winning the prestigious Attenborough Award for his drawing "Clock Tower: Heaven or Hell," which depicts Leicester's Clock Tower with a street preacher and passers-by. Farrow, an amateur artist from Leicester, was selected from over 1,000 entries across paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs. Other winners include Peter J Lester, Lisa Davies, Alexis Hutson, and several young artists in categories for ages 5-18. All winning works are on display at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery until January 30, 2026, with adult artworks available for purchase starting at £50.

Faculty, students oppose censorship of artist at University of North Texas

In February 2025, the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton abruptly canceled a solo exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist Victor “MARKA27” Quiñonez just nine days after its opening. The show, titled “Ni de Aqui, Ni de Allá,” was displayed at the College of Visual Art & Design (CVAD) Gallery and featured works from Quiñonez’s I.C.E. Scream series, including large-scale paleta sculptures embedded with handcuffs and firearms, and a cart bearing the phrase “U.S. Department of Stolen Land Security.” The exhibition was closed without notice, its street-facing windows covered with brown paper, and UNT terminated its loan agreement with Boston University Art Galleries, which had originally hosted the show in September 2025. Faculty and students responded with an open letter to UNT President Harrison Keller, condemning the censorship and demanding transparency.

Art Gallery explores home and identity in ‘Mi Casa es su Casa’ exhibition

The El Camino College Art Gallery is hosting 'Mi Casa es su Casa,' an exhibition featuring ceramic works by artist Yvette Trujillo and curated by Dulce Stein. The show, which opened October 30 and runs through December 1, transforms common Mexican household cleaning products like Fabuloso and Zote into saint-like ceramic sculptures, alongside clay shrines and an ofrenda celebrating Dia de los Muertos. The exhibition includes sugar skull face painting, dancing, and works by Hispanic artists.

Senior Art Show Reception Highlights Student Artists and Award Winners

Hartwick College's Art and Art History Department held its Senior Art Show Reception on May 15 in the Foreman Gallery, showcasing graduating students' work across diverse media. Awards included the Presidential Purchase Prize ($1,000) to Marissa Yanacheak for "Transformation," a plexiglass layered piece; first-place Best in Show ($600) to Kylee Hosmer for "Minoans in the Modern Day," a 3D installation inspired by ancient Minoan civilization; and second-place Best in Show ($400) to Megan Bryla for "Internal Integrity," a ceramic work. Additional awards were given earlier in May to Devlin Woughter and Samuel Scott.

Room Art Fair 2026 transforms 25hours Hotel Jakarta into a living gallery

The 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird has launched the inaugural Room Art Fair 2026 to coincide with World Art Day. In collaboration with the Indonesian Art Galleries Association (AGSI), the event transforms the hotel’s 10th-floor guest rooms into immersive gallery spaces featuring 13 different galleries. By removing the formal barriers of traditional white-cube settings, the fair allows visitors to engage with contemporary Indonesian art in a domestic, intimate environment.

Following controversy, all names will be left off Canadian monument to ‘victims of communism’

Canada's monument to the victims of communism in Ottawa, officially opened a year ago, will no longer include individual names on its Wall of Remembrance after a federal government report revealed that many of the unvetted "victims" had ties to Nazi or fascist groups. Originally designed by architect Paul Raff to feature 553 entries, the Department of Canadian Heritage reversed its decision following alarms raised by Jewish groups and independent media outlets like Ricochet and The Maple, which found that more than half of the 550 names should be removed. The department stated that the wall will now feature only thematic content aligned with Canadian values of democracy and human rights.

Mvskoke Waters Gallery: Grand Opening

Mvskoke Waters Gallery, the first tribally owned art gallery in the Tulsa metropolitan area, announces its grand opening on December 13, 2025, in Jenks, Oklahoma. The inaugural exhibition, titled "Mvskokvlke: Road of Strength," features works by over 20 Muscogee artists and is co-curated by Muscogee artist Bobby C. Martin, who describes the project as an honor and a labor of love.

Philadelphia Art Museum's new exhibit will put the Rocky statue at the forefront

The Philadelphia Art Museum will debut a new exhibition titled "Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments" in April 2026, centered on the iconic Rocky statue. The show, timed to the 50th anniversary of the original "Rocky" film, features over 150 works by more than 50 artists and artifacts spanning 2,000 years, exploring how monuments are created and reshaped by artists, communities, and time. It will highlight overlooked stories behind public statues, including Philadelphia's boxing legends, immigrant neighborhoods, and debates over shared spaces.

Welcome Home: A Pop-up Art Exhibition

A pop-up art exhibition in Philadelphia explores the dismantling of Isaiah Zagar's public mural *Skin of the Bride* (c. 1990-2001), a ceramic-and-tile mosaic originally housed in a community arts center. The building was sold in 2017, purchased by a real estate developer in 2023, and despite efforts to protect the mural as a historic site, it is slated for demolition. The Magic Gardens team selectively removed certain tiles, including Mexican folk art, while leaving others behind, altering the artwork's visual integrity. The exhibition presents fragments of Zagar's work alongside a video installation and a multimedia piece reflecting on memory and placemaking.

Culture Senator under pressure due to Court of Audit report

Kultursenatorin wegen Rechnungshofberichts unter Druck

Berlin's Court of Audit has issued a scathing report accusing Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent) of serious legal violations in the allocation of €2.6 million in anti-Semitism prevention grants for 2025. The audit found that the selection process was arbitrary, lacked transparent criteria, and violated state budget regulations. Six of the 13 funded projects—receiving €2 million—were deemed ineligible for the specific budget line, and some recipients were newly founded entities that were not properly vetted. The report warns that the grants may need to be repaid.