Milano Art Week 2026 Tops and Flops: The Best and Worst of the Art Week

Milano Art Week 2026 top e flop: il meglio e il peggio della settimana dell’arte

The 2026 edition of Milano Art Week, anchored by the 30th anniversary of the miart fair, presented a mixed bag of organizational shifts and high-quality artistic programming. Key highlights included the successful Milanese debut of Paris Internationale at Palazzo Galbani and the emergence of new cultural hubs like Mulino Factory, which continue Milan's trend of repurposing industrial heritage. However, the primary fair's relocation to the Allianz MiCo South Wing drew criticism for its labyrinthine layout and logistical hurdles despite the scenic park setting.

New SLAM exhibition brings ancient Rome to life in ‘Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan’

The Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) has opened “Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan,” a major traveling exhibition featuring a seven-foot-tall marble statue of Emperor Trajan and a vast array of artifacts from his reign. Organized in collaboration with the Italian organization StArt and curated by Roman expert Lucrezia Ungaro alongside SLAM’s Hannah Segrave, the show is structured into three thematic sections: the imperial household, the domestic lives of everyday Romans, and the public sphere. To enhance immersion, the museum has integrated sensory elements including scent stations that replicate ancient fragrances and a commissioned soundscape.

Between setbacks and uncertain collectors, how did the miart 2026 fair go for the galleries?

Tra intoppi di percorso e collezionisti incerti, come è andata la fiera miart 2026 per le gallerie?

The 2026 edition of the miart fair in Milan faced significant logistical challenges following its move to the South Wing of the Allianz MiCo. While the 'Emergent' section thrived with ample space and natural light, the 'Established' and 'Anthology' sections suffered from a confusing multi-level layout, poor signage, and oppressive lighting. Many galleries, including Alfonso Artiaco, reported that the lack of clear directions turned high-quality exhibition spaces into "cathedrals in the desert," making it difficult for collectors to locate booths.

Istanbul Bets on Contemporary Art: New Space Announced During CI Bloom Fair

Istanbul scommette sull’arte contemporanea: durante la fiera CI Bloom annunciato l’arrivo di un nuovo spazio

The fifth edition of CI Bloom, the boutique contemporary art fair organized by Contemporary Istanbul, recently concluded at the Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Hall. Featuring 28 galleries and over 300 artists, the fair introduced aggressive financial incentives to support exhibitors, including a 30% reduction in participation fees, fixed exchange rates to mitigate currency risk, and a partnership with Turkish Airlines providing free art transport and customs coverage.

Max Ernst | Untitled (ca. 1949) | Available for Sale

Max Ernst | Untitled (ca. 1949) | Available for Sale

A rare miniature gouache on paper by Surrealist pioneer Max Ernst, titled 'Untitled' (ca. 1949), has been made available for sale through PM Gallery in Paris. The unique work, measuring only 3.1 x 2.85 cm, is presented in a bespoke silver and 18K gold frame adorned with ruby beads, created by the artist and jeweler Marcial Berro. The piece boasts a distinguished provenance, having previously belonged to the influential Parisian gallery owner Édouard Loeb and featured in the 1970 retrospective at the Württemberg Art Association.

Downtown Artists Cooperative hosts Annual Art Gala at F&M Bank | PHOTOS

The Downtown Artists Cooperative (DAC) held its Annual Live Art Auction Gala at the F&M Bank’s Franklin Room in Clarksville, Tennessee. This event marked the organization’s first in-person gala since the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring both live and silent auctions of original works donated by cooperative members. Attendees enjoyed a catered dinner and live musical performances while bidding on local art.

M.F. Husain | Untitled (Head of a Horse) (Circa 1969) | Available for Sale

Grosvenor Gallery has announced the availability of a significant 1969 oil painting by M.F. Husain titled "Untitled (Head of a Horse)." The work, which features the artist's signature equine subject matter with bared teeth and exaggerated features, was recently showcased at Frieze Masters 2024 as part of the "South Asian Modernists in Paris" exhibition. The painting has a documented provenance involving the Vadehra Art Gallery and has been held in a private London collection since 2007.

Max Giermann is not looking for recognition with his painting

Max Giermann sucht mit seiner Malerei nicht nach Anerkennung

German comedian and actor Max Giermann has launched his first Berlin art exhibition, titled "Figuring Out," at the Janinebeangallery. The showcase features large-scale acrylic paintings on canvas depicting figures, heads, and body fragments, including a final tribute to Klaus Kinski, whom Giermann famously parodied throughout his comedy career. Although he grew up in a household of art educators and began drawing as a child, this exhibition marks a significant return to painting after a 20-year hiatus.

Ruins of a ‘Unique‘ Temple Complex Discovered in Northern Sinai

An Egyptian archaeological mission has unearthed a unique temple complex at Tell el-Farama, the site of the ancient city of Pelusium in northern Sinai. The discovery features a massive circular water basin, approximately 100 feet in diameter, surrounded by drainage channels and a central plinth likely intended for a statue. Initially mistaken for a civic building when first excavated in 2019, further study has revealed the site to be a sacred water installation used for religious rituals between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD.

'Stray Birds': An art exhibition

Indrapramit Roy and Mark Cazalet are coming together for a duo exhibition titled 'Stray Birds' at the Shridharani Gallery in New Delhi. Curated by Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya and organized by Art Magnum, the show explores the parallel trajectories of two artists who met during their formative years in Baroda under the mentorship of Gulam Mohammed Sheikh. The exhibition features works that document lived experiences, memory, and movement through drawing and painting, often rooted in their personal sketchbooks and visual journals.

Hamnet-era mourning jewel from celebrated painting rediscovered after 400 years

A rare 17th-century mourning jewel, depicted in the celebrated 1635 painting 'Sir Thomas Aston at the Deathbed of His Wife' by John Souch, has been rediscovered after 400 years. The heart-shaped pendant, which contains a tassel of hair from Aston’s deceased son Robert, was identified by its current owners during a chance visit to an exhibition featuring the portrait. Valued at £650,000, the gold and enamel memento mori features intricate Latin inscriptions that were previously illegible in the painting.

8 exhibitions to see in Vienna for spring 2026

8 mostre da vedere a Vienna per la primavera 2026

Vienna's 2026 spring season features a diverse array of major exhibitions across its leading institutions. Highlights include a landmark survey of Canaletto and Bernardo Bellotto at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, featuring 32 high-quality paintings including international loans from the Wallace Collection and Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie. Other significant shows include "Animalia" at the Heidi Horten Collection, which explores the blurred lines between humans and animals through 90 works of art, and a major Gustave Courbet retrospective at the Leopold Museum.

Magazzino Italian Art to feature works by pivotal figure of 1960s Arte Povera movement

Magazzino Italian Art in Cold Spring, New York, is launching a major exhibition titled “Tutto Boetti 1966–1993,” dedicated to the influential Arte Povera artist Alighiero Boetti. The show features approximately 30 works, including large-scale sculptures like the 1966 'Pavimento Luminoso' and his signature textiles, tracing his career from his 1967 debut in Turin to his final years. The museum will also host a symposium in collaboration with the Fondazione Alighiero e Boetti to discuss the artist's enduring legacy.

Alain Passard’s Art Recipe: An Island of Tastes Wrapped in the Style of Christo and Jeanne-Claude

La recette d’art d’Alain Passard : un îlot de goûts emballé façon Christo et Jeanne-Claude

Michelin-starred chef Alain Passard pays tribute to the monumental environmental installations of Christo and Jeanne-Claude through a culinary creation. The article highlights the duo's 1983 project 'Surrounded Islands,' where they encircled eleven islands in Miami's Biscayne Bay with 600,000 square meters of floating pink polypropylene fabric, a work that exemplified their commitment to self-funded, accessible, and ephemeral public art.

Phoebe Boswell’s ‘Art on the Underground’ dives into why the majority of Black British adults don’t swim

Artist Phoebe Boswell has unveiled a major public art commission for Art on the Underground, installed across the escalators of Bethnal Green and Notting Hill Gate stations in London. The immersive photographic series features Black subjects moving underwater, captured in a stop-motion style that responds to the physical movement of commuters. The project was inspired by the statistic that 95 per cent of Black British adults do not swim, a reality Boswell links to generational trauma and structural inequality.

Group Efforts Succeed During Milan Design Week

Milan Design Week has become a primary stage for high-profile creative collaborations, where independent designers and major brands pool resources to debut experimental works. These partnerships range from limited-edition furniture collections to immersive installations, highlighting a shift toward collective production in the design industry.

At Milan Design Week, Function and Form Take on New Meanings

Milan Design Week has transformed the Italian city into a sprawling showcase of avant-garde furniture and experimental objects. This year's highlights include whimsical, kinetic installations such as a spinning Christmas tree and sculptural tables designed to mimic the organic forms of flowers, pushing the boundaries between utilitarian furniture and fine art.

A Fountain of Creativity from Arid Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has launched a significant design exhibition in Milan, showcasing a collection that blends the nation's ancient cultural traditions with contemporary aesthetics. The showcase features works inspired by the arid landscapes and rich artisanal history of the Central Asian republic, marking a deliberate effort to export its unique creative identity to a global audience during a major international design moment.

Known in New Orleans, multimedia artist will take the world stage in Venice Biennale

New Orleans-based conceptual artist Dawn DeDeaux is preparing for a career-defining presentation at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Selected by curator Dan Cameron and featured in the central exhibition "In Minor Keys," the 73-year-old artist will occupy the final room of the Arsenale. Her work, which spans photography, video, and large-scale installation, often explores existential themes, environmental fragility, and the relationship between the antique and the futuristic.

The great Cézanne exhibition and collector Deodato Salafia on Artbox on Sky Arte

La grande mostra su Cézanne e il collezionista Deodato Salafia ad Artbox su Sky Arte

The latest episode of Artbox on Sky Arte features a deep dive into the major Paul Cézanne retrospective at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, curated by Ulf Küster. The program explores the French painter's late-career obsession with the act of seeing and his use of color patches to redefine nature on canvas. Additionally, the episode highlights the exhibition "Virtue and Grace: Female Figures in Baroque Painting" at La Galleria Bper in Modena, featuring insights from curators Sabrina Bianchi and Lucia Peruzzi.

Steps to Dreams: Artists with intellectual disabilities

The Patan Museum in Lalitpur recently hosted "Sapanaka Paila" (Steps to Dreams), an exhibition showcasing paintings by nine artists with intellectual disabilities. Organized by Mikha Creative Begins, the showcase featured works by artists including Sama Bajracharya and Sandhya Singh, whose vibrant depictions of nature, animals, and personal aspirations often bypass traditional artistic conventions. The exhibition served as a platform for these individuals to communicate complex emotions and dreams that they are often unable to express through verbal language.

Shopping Experience: How Has the Way of Experiencing Luxury Changed?

Shopping experience: com’è cambiato il modo di vivere il lusso?

Luxury retail in Milan is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from simple commercial spaces into 'cultural brandscapes' that blend art, design, and hospitality. Major fashion houses are redesigning their flagship stores to function as urban salons and living galleries, integrating site-specific art installations, historical architecture, and high-end gastronomy to foster community and tangible experiences in an increasingly digital world.

Divinity in print | The Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting "Household Gods: Hindu Devotional Prints, 1860–1930," an exhibition exploring the evolution of Hindu visual culture through the rise of chromolithography. The show traces how mass-produced prints transitioned sacred imagery from exclusive temple environments into the intimate, everyday spaces of domestic shrines.

Quietly in Milan, a collector has opened a new exhibition space: "Finally I can see my works"

In sordina a Milano un collezionista ha aperto un nuovo spazio espositivo: “Finalmente posso vedere le mie opere”

Collector Pier Luigi Guzzetti has quietly opened Gallerie Guzzetti, a new 300-square-meter private exhibition space in Milan's Cenisio/Mac Mahon district. The minimalist basement venue serves as a dedicated home for Guzzetti’s eclectic collection of over 300 works, which spans 20th-century masters, emerging artists, and a significant photography archive. Managed alongside Corinne Cortinovis, the space operates with a philosophy of discretion, favoring word-of-mouth over traditional press offices or social media presence.

Poly Auction Hong Kong concludes spring sales - Vietnam Investment Review

Poly Auction Hong Kong concluded its Spring 2026 auction series with total sales exceeding HKD 255 million, representing a 23% increase over the previous autumn season. The sales were led by Liu Wei’s 1995 masterpiece "You Like Pork?", which fetched HKD 27.6 million, and a Ming Dynasty Blue and White 'Grapes' Dish that realized HKD 24.6 million. The auction saw participation from collectors across 17 countries, with significant growth in the Modern and Contemporary Art segment, which rose over 63% compared to the prior season.

Artist Tammie Dupuis offers Indigenous, feminist perspective in Linfield Art Gallery show

Artist Tammie Dupuis presents her installation "Continuality" at the Linfield Art Gallery, a show that centers on the sacred feminine and Indigenous spirituality. The exhibition features a large-scale lodge titled "Broken Made Whole," constructed from red-and-white quilted fabric to represent U.S. reservations, alongside circular paintings that utilize non-Eurocentric perspectives to explore the relationship between women and the lunar cycle.

Dorothy Dehner | Dorothy Dehner - Drawing for Sculpture (1955) | Available for Sale

Alpha 137 Gallery has listed a unique 1955 work on paper by American modernist Dorothy Dehner titled "Drawing for Sculpture." The piece, executed in brown marker on found stationery from a New York manufacturer’s agent, represents a pivotal moment in Dehner’s career when she transitioned from painting to the abstract sculpture for which she became famous. The work is hand-signed and dated, reflecting her early exploration of three-dimensional forms through graphic media.

The art of unlearning

Quddus Mirza’s latest exhibition, "New Works" at Canvas Gallery in Karachi, marks a significant stylistic shift as the veteran artist, critic, and educator embraces the concept of "unlearning." Drawing inspiration from the raw honesty of children's drawings, Mirza presents twelve striking paintings that shed academic discipline in favor of blunt expression and intuitive mark-making. The works frequently utilize a dominant red palette to signal urgency, revolution, and bloodshed, juxtaposing domestic imagery with symbols of global unrest.

Crimson Coast Dance Society, artist host male intimacy event at Nanaimo Art Gallery

The Crimson Coast Dance Society is hosting a keynote presentation and film screening at the Nanaimo Art Gallery featuring artist Kevin Jesuino. The event focuses on Jesuino’s "Tender City: The Slow Dance Project," a socially engaged initiative that invites queer, trans, and bisexual men to perform partnered silent slow dances in public urban spaces.

EPCC holds annual gallery hosting juried student art exhibition

El Paso Community College (EPCC) hosted the grand opening of its 49th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at the Transmountain campus Gallery of Fine Art. The event featured a wide range of visual art created by students across various disciplines and levels within the college district. Highlighting the evening was an awards ceremony judged by Michael Reyes, an EPCC alumnus and Senior Curator at the El Paso Museum of Art, who recognized top works including Camila Galindo’s "Medieval Sadness," which took home the Best of Show honors.