Ghost at La Lison Gallery: our photos from the exhibition Before the Ashes

Ghost at La Lison Gallery: our photos from the exhibition Before the Ashes

The La Lison Gallery in Paris is hosting "Avant les cendres" (Before the Ashes), a solo exhibition by the artist Fantôme running from April 9 to May 16, 2026. The showcase features a series of abstract works that utilize black ink, oils, fabric, and ash to explore texture and light, drawing comparisons to the monochromatic depth of Pierre Soulages. The exhibition serves as a prequel to the artist's upcoming show, "Cercles," in Nancy.

Renoir Exhibition: 185th Anniversary of His Birth | Sanno Art Museum | Art in Osaka

The Sanno Art Museum in Osaka is hosting a comprehensive exhibition to commemorate the 185th anniversary of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s birth. The show features 50 works drawn from the museum's permanent collection, including 12 pieces that are being publicly exhibited for the first time. Organized into five chronological chapters, the exhibition traces the artist's evolution from his early Impressionist experiments through his classical period and into the final decade of his life, where he continued to paint vibrant nudes and landscapes despite the physical limitations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Good praxis: How a former brothel became one of Adelaide's leading arts spaces - InReview

The article profiles praxis ARTSPACE in Adelaide, Australia, which was originally a former brothel and is now a leading arts space celebrating its tenth anniversary. Founded and directed by Patty Chehade, the space offers professional exhibition facilities for emerging and established artists, featuring a mix of one-person and thematic shows. Notable artists exhibited include Liz Butler, Dianne Longley, Olga Sankey, and Margaret Ambridge.

Animation Producer & Advocate Marge Dean Discusses Her New Art Exhibition Illuminating the Value of Domestic Labor

Marge Dean, an Emmy-winning animation producer and head of Skybound Entertainment, opens a new conceptual art exhibition titled "The Sweepers" at Automata gallery in Los Angeles' Chinatown on November 7. The show imagines a world where housework is valued as highly as fine art, presenting the fictional "Floor Field Cleaning" art movement (1940-1975) through portraits, floor samples, biographies, and an animated interview with a housewife named Laurie Poons. Dean, who is also founder of Women in Animation, created the work during the COVID lockdown, using rotoscoping and Photoshop to explore the intersection of domestic labor and artistic value.

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.

Saudi art is becoming ‘active voice’ in global contemporary circles: Lulwah Al Hamoud

Saudi artist Lulwah Al Hamoud debuted new work at The Digital Art Mile during Art Basel in Switzerland, presented by the Sigg Art Foundation. Her pieces, part of the ongoing 'Language of Existence' series, explore Arabic geometry and coded language, incorporating AI and biotechnology to blend tradition with cutting-edge technology.

At Kunsthalle Praha, Anna-Eva Bergman and Hans Hartung are reunited in art, as they were in life

Kunsthalle Praha has opened a dual exhibition, "Anna-Eva Bergman & Hans Hartung: And We’ll Never Be Parted," reuniting the two artists in art as they were in life. The show traces their youthful infatuation, creative partnership, divorce, and reunion, highlighting Bergman's neglected contributions to abstract art inspired by nature and Hartung's prominence in the Art Informel movement. Featuring paintings, sketches, archival material, and mutual gifts, it is billed as the first major museum exhibition to place the two in dialogue.

❤️ Atlanta, with love

This article from Rough Draft's Sketchbook newsletter highlights two Atlanta-focused art stories. Painter Carlos Solis, who left Venezuela for Kennesaw nearly two decades ago, curates "In the Beginning," a group exhibition opening May 9 at the Hudgens Center's Fowler Gallery in Duluth, featuring 15 artists from around the world who now call Georgia home. Separately, designer and illustrator George F. Baker III, originally from Nebraska and shaped by Detroit, was commissioned by the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs to create the key art for the 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, and he discusses how the musical souls of both Detroit and Atlanta influenced his design.

What Artists Sign Away

Artist and writer Sarah Hotchkiss recounts two personal experiences where galleries and residency programs used standard contracts to limit artists' rights. In the first, a new gallery refused to shorten a six-month consignment period after an exhibition, leaving her work in "contractual limbo" where she would owe the gallery half of any sale even if she found the buyer herself. In the second, a residency required her to waive moral rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act, protections that allow artists to prevent distortion and control attribution of their work.

For this 2026 too, the Fuorisalone is full of fashion. Here are the events halfway between fashion and design

Anche per questo 2026 il Fuorisalone è pieno di moda. Ecco gli eventi a metà strada tra fashion e design

The 2026 Fuorisalone in Milan continues to be a major platform for the convergence of fashion and design. Numerous fashion brands are presenting immersive installations, special collections, and cultural formats across the city, transforming urban spaces into narrative environments. Key presentations include YOOX's digital installation with Keta Bart, Gucci's archival project by Demna, Prada's symposium curated by Formafantasma, and new collections from Armani, Fendi, Dior Maison, and Louis Vuitton.

In Bordeaux, the MADD unveils its sublime metamorphosis and pays tribute to a shooting star of design

À Bordeaux, le MADD dévoile sa sublime métamorphose et rend hommage à une étoile filante du design

The Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design (MADD) in Bordeaux has unveiled a significant architectural renovation and expansion of its public spaces. The project, led by the architecture firm Antoine Dufour, transformed the 18th-century Hôtel de Lalande, creating a new open-air passage, a café-restaurant, a ticket office-shop, and improving accessibility and circulation between the historic mansion and the adjacent former prison used for temporary exhibitions. The redesign emphasizes natural light, reveals original stone walls, and incorporates contemporary, clearly distinguishable interventions.

Doyen retrouve la chapelle Saint-Louis

A cycle of eleven paintings commissioned in 1772 for the Chapelle Saint-Louis at the École Militaire in Paris, depicting the life of Saint Louis, has been rediscovered. The chapel was built under Louis XV by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, and the paintings were executed by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre following a carefully devised iconographic program. The discovery sheds new light on a major decorative ensemble from the Ancien Régime.

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.

literature wayne koestenbaum books my lover the rabbi

Wayne Koestenbaum, a leading figure in New York's queer and literary scenes since the 1980s, is releasing his first novel in nearly two decades, *My Lover, the Rabbi*, in March. The 464-page book centers on an unnamed narrator's psychosexual affair with an aging rabbi, exploring themes of desire, repulsion, internalized homophobia, and the lingering aftermath of the Holocaust. Koestenbaum, known for his confessional prose and genre-straddling criticism—including his 1993 book *The Queen's Throat*—discusses the novel's intellectual filth, the conflation of desire and disgust, and his literary role models such as Samuel Delany and Jean Genet.

fashion van cleef arpels paris atelier

Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Paris atelier to Cultured magazine for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the jewelry house's craft traditions. The article profiles artisans such as a smelter, diamond cutter, threader, quality controller, polisher, and jeweler, who describe their work on iconic pieces like the Zip necklace—a design originally conceived in 1938 at the suggestion of the Duchess of Windsor and perfected over decades.

New photo exhibit at Godfrey Dean Art Gallery focuses on storytelling

The Godfrey Dean Art Gallery in Yorkton is hosting a new photography exhibition titled 'Storied Telling: Performative & Narrative in Photography,' organized by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) through its Arts on the Move program. Running until May 15, the show features six Canadian artists—Catherine Blackburn, Lori Blondeau, Xiao Han, Marium Magsi, Meryl McMaster, and Laura St. Pierre—whose work uses the camera to create layered, story-driven images exploring themes of identity, cultural heritage, diaspora, and history.

Desmond Williams obituary

Architect Desmond Williams, known for designing modern Catholic churches, has died at age 93. His work, which includes four listed churches, was celebrated for its innovative integration of liturgical function, architectural ambition, and artistic collaboration, placing him among the leading figures of postwar British architecture.

Trump's White House Ballroom Proposal Faces Criticism Over Scale

trumps white house ballroom proposal too big

President Donald Trump has proposed a massive 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House, featuring a 22,000-square-foot ballroom designed to host 1,000 guests. While the administration argues the space is necessary to replace temporary tents for state functions, the project has already led to the demolition of the East Wing and sparked significant backlash from federal planning commissions and preservation groups.

frances most famous antiques collector hoping elon musk buys his napoleon collection at sothebys

Pierre-Jean Chalençon, described as France's most famous antiques collector, is selling around 100 lots of Napoleonic memorabilia at Sotheby's Paris on June 25. The collection includes Napoleon's bicorne hat, coronation sword, stockings, and camp bed. Chalençon has publicly expressed hope that Elon Musk will buy the entire collection to keep it together, calling Musk "the new Napoleon." The sale comes as Chalençon reportedly faces pressure to repay a €10 million loan from Swiss Life Banque Privée, which he used to finance his purchases and the acquisition of Palais Vivienne, his Parisian mansion turned Napoleon shrine.

Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris opens "Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai Court" from May 13 to November 1, 2026. The exhibition features over a hundred garments, accessories, and textile pieces from the Thai royal family's collections, focusing on how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving traditional codes through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. The show also highlights the work of the SUPPORT Foundation, established by Queen Sirikit to safeguard traditional crafts, and the ongoing legacy carried by Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari.

In the Curator’s Words: At Studio Door, honoring ‘The Natural World’

Laura Green and Pierre Bounaud have co-curated a new exhibition titled "The Natural World" at The Studio Door in Hillcrest, San Diego, running from May 8 through June 12. The show features paintings by Green and ceramic and glass works selected by Bounaud, all exploring humanity's complex relationship with nature. Green's impressionistic paintings focus on animals and plants from the San Diego landscape, while Bounaud emphasizes clay and glass as materials drawn from the earth. The exhibition includes works by artists such as Oscar Romo and Kathleen Kane Murrell, who address environmental themes and conservation.

Louis Vuitton Just Opened an Art Deco Exhibition in Paris

Louis Vuitton has opened a new exhibition in Paris celebrating its influence on the Art Deco movement, staged on the 100th anniversary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Featuring over 300 objects—many never publicly shown before—the immersive show spans eight themed rooms, including a reconstruction of the brand's original 1925 stand, archival designs, and contemporary pieces by Nicolas Ghesquière, Pharrell Williams, Marc Jacobs, and Kim Jones.

Natick Arts Roundup—exhibits at Gallery 01760 and Page Waterman; Art on the Common; theater productions

This article highlights upcoming arts events in Natick, Massachusetts, including gallery openings at Gallery 01760 featuring found-object sculptor Rebecca McGee Tuck, an abstract painting exhibition by Jeannie Celata at Page Waterman, and an outdoor Art on the Common market with local artists. It also lists theater productions such as "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" at Walnut Hill School and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Once Upon a One More Time" at Babson College, plus a call for artists to design public art projects on the theme of "Our Energy Future."

Guernsey Liberation Day art exhibition marks 80th anniversary

An art exhibition in Guernsey marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, featuring works by 12 local artists who explored the island's wartime occupation through family histories, personal recollections, and archival research. The Occupation Arts Collective organized the show, which was sponsored by Guernsey Arts.

JEZIK AND COSTA EXPLORE MEMORY AND EXILE IN A GROUP EXHIBITION

The Miguel Hernández University in Elche, Spain, presents "Vientos del pueblo. Voices of Exile and Resistance," a group exhibition curated by Mónica Sotos. Inspired by Miguel Hernández's poem "Vientos del pueblo," the show features Argentine artists Ježik and Costa alongside Eugenio Merino, Gloria Oyarzábal, Ricardo Calero, Óscar Seco, Pierre Valls, and María Rosa Aránega. Through photography, video, installation, drawing, and archival works, the exhibition examines violence, borders, exile, and colonial legacies, challenging dominant power narratives.

Visitors invited behind the scenes with return of Welsh art trail

Crickhowell Open Studios returns from 23 to 25 May 2026, inviting visitors to explore 26 venues across Crickhowell and Abergavenny. The free-entry trail includes artists' studios, galleries, and creative spaces showcasing paintings, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, and glass. Organized by the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre (CRiC), which celebrates twenty years of community support, the event features the Open Art Competition Exhibition at Oriel CRiC Gallery, a residency by portrait artist Oriane Pierrepont, and participation from artists such as Nadia Epping, Lucy Corbett, and Lee Wright. Venues range from St Edmund’s Church to Antur Brew Co. and The Welsh Academy of Art.

Why the new EU law aimed at stopping antiquities trafficking may hamper museum loans

A new EU regulation (2019/880) taking effect on 28 June aims to prevent trafficking of looted antiquities by requiring importers to provide extensive provenance records and export permits for cultural goods over 200 years old or worth more than €18,000. While the law includes an exemption for temporary exhibitions, implementing rules limit this exemption to loans from museums outside the EU, excluding private collectors. Museum directors and art fair officials warn that the administrative burden may discourage private lenders from participating in temporary exhibitions, potentially reducing the diversity of cultural offerings in the EU.

Still We Rise: Art Behind the Walls Exhibit at Fort Frederik Museum

The Fort Frederik Museum in St. Croix has unveiled "Still We Rise: Art Behind the Walls," an exhibition showcasing original works created by incarcerated individuals at the John A. Bell Correctional Facility. The collection features a variety of media, most notably locally sourced calabash gourds that have been transformed into intricate cultural vessels. Developed through a volunteer-led art and literacy program, the show highlights the personal narratives and creative growth of participants who used the project as a vehicle for self-reflection.

Lehman College Art Gallery Presents the 2026 Thesis Exhibition

The Lehman College Art Gallery is presenting the 2026 BFA, MA, and MFA Thesis Exhibition from May 20 to May 28, 2026. The show features the culminating work of over thirty graduating undergraduate and graduate artists from the Lehman College Art Department, spanning digital media, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and interdisciplinary forms. Themes include identity, memory, technology, migration, and social space. An opening reception on May 20 will include an awards announcement and a year-end celebration.

Stephanie Pierre opens Haitian art-inspired gallery in East Flatbush

Stephanie Pierre, a Haitian American community developer and placemaker, has opened Kafou, a Haitian art-inspired gallery in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The gallery launched with an inaugural exhibition titled “Space as Place,” featuring seven artists—including Bianca Allen, Marie Medijne Antoine, Jordan Dubreuil, Wilfrid Ignace, Richard Louissant, Claire Saintil, and Zarita Zevallos—whose works explore themes of space, place, migration, and identity. The opening reception on April 16, 2026 drew strong public interest, prompting the gallery to extend the show through May 17. Kafou operates on a community-centered model, charging artists a reduced commission in exchange for their active involvement in managing and promoting their own work.