Required Reading

This week’s roundup of essential art reading highlights a diverse range of global initiatives, from the development of a new arts center in Compton by formerly incarcerated painter Mr. Wash to a mural project for displaced children in Lebanon led by artist Abed Al Kadiri. The report also covers a guerrilla projection protest at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where activists criticized the institution for laying off staff members of color despite a massive endowment, and a poignant look at medical students graduating amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Lu Yang at Kunsthalle zu Kiel

Lu Yang's solo exhibition "Electromagnetic Brainology" opened at Kunsthalle zu Kiel, running from January 30 to March 15, 2026. Curated by Muriel Meyer, the show features a new body of work from the Shanghai-based multimedia artist, known for immersive installations blending digital avatars, neuroscience, and pop culture iconography.

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A wave of significant art world events has unfolded globally, led by a high-profile heist at Italy’s Magnani Rocca Foundation where thieves stole masterpieces by Renoir, Matisse, and Cézanne. Simultaneously, the international community is monitoring the secret trial of artist Gao Zhen in China, who faces imprisonment for sculptures created over 15 years ago that allegedly mock Mao Zedong. Other notable developments include the early closure of Amir Fattal’s exhibition in Mexico City due to antisemitic vandalism and the opening of a landmark LGBTQ-themed exhibition at the Art Sonje Centre in Seoul.

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South African artist Gabrielle Goliath is taking legal action after her artwork was removed from the country's Venice Biennale pavilion. Goliath and curator Ingrid Masondo will file an application with South Africa's High Court in Pretoria, arguing that the decision by Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is unconstitutional. They have also sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, demanding that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) honor the selection committee's original choice and allow the exhibition to proceed. Meanwhile, the DSAC has reportedly restarted the Biennale planning process with the collective Beyond the Frames.

‘Sometimes the space comes first’: how Shohei Shigematsu is using architecture to break cultural ground

Shohei Shigematsu, director of OMA New York since 2006, has carved a niche designing luxury-brand exhibition spaces and flagship stores for Dior, LVMH, and Tiffany. His approach treats architecture as a cultural platform that integrates fashion, art, design, and food. Key projects include the 2016 'Manus x Machina' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the 2023 'Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams' show in Seoul, where spatial design often precedes thematic content.

Frieze London diary: a Mick Jagger meeting, a movie night and punk fair style

Frieze London 2025 is underway with a series of off-site events and colorful encounters. Highlights include a Prada Mode installation by Elmgreen & Dragset at Camden Town Hall, where the duo transforms a former council chamber into an auditorium filled with mannequins and a looping abstract film. At Nahmad Projects, artist Michelangelo Pistoletto met Mick Jagger at an exhibition pairing his new Mirror Paintings with Cubist works by Picasso. Belgian collector Alain Servais turned heads in a blazer emblazoned with British rock band names and the slogan "Anarchy in the UK." Russian performance artist Petr Davydtchenko displayed his Pfizer-forehead tattoo as part of his archive piece "Skin in the Game" (2025), acquired by the A/POLITICAL collection. Meanwhile, Victoria and Albert Museum director Tristram Hunt published a Financial Times op-ed defending London and the UK as a cultural destination.

Nude Performance at MFA Boston Confronts One of Art’s Oldest Tropes

Artist Xandra Ibarra staged her performance "Nude Laughing" (2014–) at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston on April 16, appearing nude except for a breastplate and yellow heels while dragging a nylon stocking stuffed with blonde wigs and fake breasts. She moved through the galleries, laughing hysterically, and ultimately collapsed in front of Paul Gauguin's painting "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" (1897–98). The performance was part of the exhibition "Subvert, Repair, Reclaim: Contemporary Artists Take Back the Nude," which features 12 artists critiquing racial, gender, and power hierarchies in Western art history. The event sparked heated debate on the museum's Instagram, with hundreds of commenters arguing about its legitimacy and obscenity.

Highlights and Hidden Gems at Dumbo Open Studios

DUMBO Open Studios celebrated its 10th anniversary with over 175 artists across 21 buildings participating in the weekend event. The open studios, jointly managed by Team Dumbo and real estate developer Two Trees, featured a wide range of work, with a noted highlight being works on paper from artists like Bianca Fields, Amy Cutler, and Jason Karolak. Despite rainy weather, the event fostered impromptu conversations and community, with more than half of surveyed artists reporting sales and expectations of future exhibition opportunities.

Victoria & Albert Museum yields to Chinese censorship

Le Victoria & Albert Museum cède à la censure chinoise

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London removed a map and other content from its exhibition catalogues after its Chinese printer, C&C Offset Printing, flagged them as unacceptable to Chinese censors. The map, showing 1930s British Empire trade routes, was rejected by China's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) because it included Chinese territory and borders, requiring the use of state-approved maps. The museum also previously removed a map and a photograph of Vladimir Lenin from a 2021 Fabergé exhibition catalogue.

The evolution of agriculture tells the story of the world in an unmissable exhibition at Fondazione Prada

L’evoluzione dell’agricoltura racconta il mondo in un’imperdibile mostra alla Fondazione Prada

The Fondazione Prada in Milan is hosting "Dash," a comprehensive solo exhibition by Chinese artist Cao Fei that explores the intersection of ancient agricultural rituals and cutting-edge technology. The exhibition features installations like 'Land Ceremony,' where an agricultural drone is treated as a ritualistic rice dragon, alongside VR experiences and documentary films that investigate the automation of farming in China and Southeast Asia.

Before He Stole the Oscars, Timothée Chalamet Stole Ballet and Opera

Actor Timothée Chalamet sparked controversy by stating in an interview that he doesn't want to work in ballet or opera, describing them as artforms where the goal is to "keep this thing alive." The comment prompted swift backlash from the dance community, with institutions extending personal invitations and op-eds criticizing his remarks.

Artist Qualeasha Wood Says Viral ‘BedRot’ Performance Copied Her Work

Artist Qualeasha Wood has publicly accused another artist, known as Aphex Redditor, of copying her performance art piece. Wood staged a performance called 'Attention Economy' in March 2025 at London's Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, where she lay in bed scrolling through her phone for an extended period, a concept the gallery's release described as 'bed rotting.' A similar performance by Aphex Redditor, titled 'BedRot,' went viral on social media after she scrolled through Instagram Reels for 24 hours at Montreal's Eastern Bloc art center.

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Nearly a month after the theft of the French crown jewels, the Louvre Museum has announced emergency security measures following a meeting of its Board of Directors, requested by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and chaired by museum director Laurence des Cars. The measures span four categories: security governance, site protection, police coordination, and technical/human resources. Plans include hiring a security coordinator, installing additional cameras and anti-ram devices, conducting security audits, deploying remote monitoring equipment, increasing surveillance patrols, and boosting the training budget by 20 percent. A security master plan, estimated to cost €80 million ($92 million), will be announced next month, though the eight stolen jewels remain unrecovered and four suspects are in custody.

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A French national audit report, the Cour des Comptes, has revealed severe security deficiencies at the Louvre Museum, finding that only 39% of its rooms had cameras as of 2024 and that a security upgrade begun in 2015 only resulted in a tender at the end of last year, with completion not expected until 2032. The report was released shortly after a theft of crown jewels from the museum, and it criticizes the Louvre for prioritizing acquisitions and post-pandemic projects over essential security investments. Louvre director Laurence des Cars acknowledged the museum's "very inadequate" and "outdated" security systems during a Senate hearing, though she stated alarms functioned during the heist. Four suspects are in custody for the October 19 robbery.

Ruth Pastine | Violet (Yellow), Color Space Series (2021) | For Sale

Ruth Pastine's painting "Violet (Yellow), Color Space Series" (2021) is being offered for sale through Louis Stern Fine Arts in West Hollywood, listed on Artsy. The work is an oil on canvas on beveled stretcher, measuring 30 × 60 inches, and is part of her Color Space Series. Pastine, an American artist born in 1964, holds a B.F.A. from The Cooper Union and an M.F.A. from Hunter College, and has exhibited widely, including a museum survey at MOAH Museum of Art and History and a show at CAM Carnegie Art Museum. Her work is held in major collections such as SFMOMA, MCASD, and the Achenbach Foundation.

'HEAD STRETCH' at Andrew Kreps Gallery, 394 Broadway, New York, United States on 24 Apr–20 Jun 2026

Andrew Kreps Gallery in New York presents 'Head Stretch,' a group exhibition featuring Felipe Barsuglia, Allan Gandhi, Luciana Maas, Flora Rebollo, Gokula Stoffel, and Erika Verzutti. The show is rooted in a shared studio building in São Paulo called 'Predinho,' where friendships and creative exchanges among the artists led to the exhibition. The title reflects diverse interpretations: from craning to see another's work to the stretched proportions of figures in paintings, and the expansion of perspective through community. Works by the six artists, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings, are installed in ways that create new associations, with Verzutti inserting her own pieces to open them to fresh readings.

‘There’s a bead connection to every place’: Wendy Red Star on exploring the real and symbolic currency of beads

Artist Wendy Red Star has launched a site-specific solo exhibition titled 'One Blue Bead' at Sargent’s Daughters in Tribeca, exploring the historical and symbolic weight of trade beads. The exhibition transforms the gallery into a simulated trading floor featuring monumental glass beads, over 100 watercolors, and Hudson’s Bay point blankets. The project originated from the artist's residencies at the Pilchuck School of Glass and the Tacoma Museum of Glass, where she researched the global circulation of glass beads from Europe to Africa and the Americas.

Artist Creates Playful Cowgirl Paintings and Builds Community in RiNo

Denver-based contemporary artist Ariana Barnstable has gained recognition for her "Lazy Cowgirl" series, a collection of vibrant, western-themed paintings characterized by faceless, stylish figures in bold landscapes. Beyond her personal practice, Barnstable has transitioned from being the first artist-in-residence at the EDIT at River North residential complex to becoming its art director, where she oversees community-focused creative programming.

From politics to painting: works by Albanian prime minister Edi Rama are new art fair favourites

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, a trained artist who studied at Tirana's Academy of Fine Arts and worked in Paris before entering politics, has been added to the roster of Berlin gallery Société. The gallery debuted his colorful pen-and-oil drawings and painted bronze sculptures at Frieze London in October 2025 and Art Basel Paris, where around half of the drawings sold. Rama, who has exhibited at the Centre Pompidou and twice at the Venice Biennale, continues to create art while serving his fourth term as prime minister.

Art Toronto reflects Canadian art scene’s emphasis on Indigenous representation

Art Toronto's 2025 edition, running until October 26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, features Indigenous art prominently across more than half of its 121 exhibitors. The fair includes a new Latin American section, Arte Sur, curated by Karen Huber, showcasing artists like Natalia Montoya and Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe. Canadian galleries such as Feheley Fine Arts, Ceremonial Art, Fazakas Gallery, and Patel Brown highlight Indigenous artists, with works ranging from beadwork and performance to mixed-media pieces that challenge stereotypes. Notable presentations include Jordan Bennett's reworked motorcycle and Nadia Myre's ceramic beadwork landscapes.

Artist LR Vandy on Sculpting the ‘Knotted Histories’ of Power

London-based artist LR Vandy has opened her first solo museum exhibition, titled "Rise," at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. The show, produced in partnership with London's October Gallery, features a new body of site-specific work installed both indoors and on the park's grounds, including a monumental outdoor sculpture. The exhibition creates an immersive environment where Vandy uses materials like rope and found objects to investigate themes of power, trade, and colonialism.

Matisse, Soulages, Chagall… The most beautiful churches and chapels decorated by artists throughout France

Matisse, Soulages, Chagall… Les plus belles églises et chapelles décorées par des artistes dans toute la France

Renowned modern and contemporary artists have transformed various religious sites across France into immersive 'total works of art.' From Pierre Soulages’ translucent stained-glass windows in the Abbey of Sainte-Foy in Conques to Pablo Picasso’s monumental 'War and Peace' murals in Vallauris, these projects demonstrate how secular artists have engaged with sacred architecture. The article highlights ten specific locations where artists like Matisse, Chagall, and Cocteau integrated painting, glasswork, and furniture into historic ecclesiastical settings.

Julia Dault at Bradley Ertaskiran

Julia Dault has opened a new solo exhibition at Bradley Ertaskiran in Montréal, featuring a series of her recent abstract paintings and sculptures. The exhibition, running from January 22 to March 7, 2026, showcases her continued exploration of materiality and process, with works that emphasize the physical act of their own creation through layered pigments and constructed forms.

Where Thoughts Provoke and Truths Take Form.

Henry Taylor's major exhibition 'Where Thoughts Provoke' has opened at the Musée national Picasso-Paris. The show is a survey of nearly four decades of his work, featuring paintings, sculpture, and installation that focus on portraiture, observation, and the politics of looking.

Louvre Museum Jewel Heist Inspires Latest ‘Law & Order’ Episode

The long-running television series Law & Order has adapted the recent high-profile Louvre Museum jewel heist into a new episode titled "Beyond Measure." Filmed at the Brooklyn Museum—serving as the fictional Atlas Museum of Art—the plot follows detectives investigating the theft of the bejeweled Crown of Popoyan, a fictionalized version of the real-world $102 million heist involving a cherry picker escape. The episode weaves in a complex subplot regarding the repatriation of Indigenous Colombian artifacts held by the Vatican.

500-Plus And Just Like That… Items Head to Online Auction

Julien’s Auctions is hosting an online sale featuring over 500 items from the production of the HBO series "And Just Like That…," the sequel to "Sex and the City." The auction includes a wide array of fashion, accessories, and home decor associated with main characters Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, as well as new additions like Lisa Todd Wexley. Notable lots include Carrie’s hatbox suitcases, Miranda’s wine-red jumpsuit, and various furniture pieces from the characters' apartments, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the foster care charity You Gotta Believe.

Bank of England to Replace J.M.W. Turner with UK Wildlife on Banknotes

The Bank of England has decided to replace historical figures, including painter J.M.W. Turner, with depictions of native UK wildlife on its next generation of banknotes. This follows a public consultation where 'Nature' was the most popular theme, selected by 60% of respondents. A panel of six wildlife experts will now create a shortlist of species for a further public vote this summer.

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Diya Vij has been appointed as the next commissioner of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Vij, who most recently served as vice president of curatorial and arts programmes at Powerhouse Arts, is the first person of South Asian descent to lead the agency. She brings extensive experience from previous roles at Creative Time, the High Line, and a prior five-year tenure within the DCA itself, where she managed public artist residencies and diversity initiatives.

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Quattro Gatti Gin, a spirits brand founded by the prominent Mordant family of art patrons, has been named the official gin of the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026. The gin will be served at the Giardini and Arsenale venues, as well as during the high-profile professional preview days. Developed by Simon and Catriona Mordant alongside their children, the brand utilizes local Umbrian juniper and botanicals, marking a commercial extension of the family's deep ties to Italy and the international art world.

How NADA is Cultivating the Next Generation of Collectors Through Salons

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The New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) has launched a new initiative called NADA Collects, a series of salons and educational events designed to demystify the art-buying process. Through gallery walks, dinners, and informal Q&A sessions, the program addresses the intimidation factor that often prevents potential buyers from entering the contemporary art market. By fostering a space where "no question is too dumb," NADA aims to bridge the gap between galleries and a new generation of collectors who may feel alienated by the perceived elitism of the art world.