Vasari Art Codex

rate_review review schedule Feb 19, 2026 visibility 2 link 1 gallery

Ballast review: emerging artist Isabella Kennedy considers submerged histories

Emerging multidisciplinary artist Isabella Kennedy has unveiled her installation 'Ballast' at Firstdraft in Sydney, a site-specific work that blends paper sculpture, video projection, and sound. The exhibition draws on the unfinished research of her late father, journalist Les Kennedy, regarding the 1941 disappearance of the HMAS Sydney II. Through delicate stitched paper forms and immersive blue light, Kennedy explores themes of familial grief, maritime history, and the meditative acts of remembrance that bridge personal and national narratives.

newspaper ArtsHub open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 18, 2026 visibility 4 link 3 artists

saudi arabia commission mural domingo zapata 1234773760

Saudi Arabia has commissioned New York-based artist Domingo Zapata to create what is being billed as the world's largest mural, spanning 540,000 square feet. The project, part of the $63 billion Diriyah cultural zone development in Riyadh, is backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and will involve a team of about 100 artists working over four to six years, with Zapata describing it as having "a blank check" for creative freedom.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

person people schedule Feb 18, 2026 visibility 1

devyani saltzman abruptly leaves her role as director of the barbican in london 1234773690

Devyani Saltzman has abruptly left her position as Director of Arts and Participation at the Barbican Centre in London. Her departure, which comes just weeks after the arrival of a new CEO and shortly after she unveiled a five-year creative vision for the institution, marks another sudden leadership change at the major UK arts center.

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article news schedule Feb 18, 2026 visibility 5 link 3 artists

domingo zapata worlds largest mural saudi arabia 2746229

Spanish artist Domingo Zapata has been commissioned by Saudi Arabia to create the world's largest mural, a 540,000-square-foot work the size of nine football fields. The project, part of the $63 billion Diriyah cultural zone in Riyadh, will take five to six years to complete and involves a team of about 100 artists, engineers, and architects. Zapata describes it as a "Middle Eastern version of the Sistine Chapel."

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 18, 2026 visibility 3 link 3 artists

carolyn bessette kennedy fashion auctioneer wardrobe sale 2746342

Signature items from Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's personal wardrobe are being sold at auction by the Fashion Auctioneer. The sale includes four key pieces gifted to her friend Rosemarie Terenzio, such as three cherished Prada coats and a Yohji Yamamoto dress, with estimates reaching up to $30,000. The auction is supplemented by dozens of vintage items from a private collector, some of which were used as wardrobe for the new FX television series 'Love Story,' which dramatizes the couple's relationship.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 17, 2026 visibility 4 link 5 artists, 1 gallery

Kapopoulos Fine Arts Presents Contemporary Art Auction in Nicosia

Kapopoulos Fine Arts will hold a Contemporary Art Auction on February 18, 2026, at its Nicosia Gallery. The sale features 82 works, with highlights by artists including Mr. Brainwash, Yiannis Mytaras, Kostis Georgiou, Spyros Vassiliou, and Richard Orlinski, alongside many other contemporary Greek and international artists. Starting prices range from €300, with high-profile lots like Mr. Brainwash's 'Everyday Life' estimated at €10,000–12,000.

newspaper Kathimerini.com.cy open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 16, 2026 visibility 9 link 30 artists, 11 galleries

paint drippings art industry news feb 16 2745624

This week's art industry news covers significant developments across fairs, auctions, galleries, and museums. Frieze New York announced its exhibitor list for May, highlighting a strong Central and South American gallery presence. The India Art Fair reported robust sales, with works selling for up to $1.3 million. Sotheby's will auction a major Francis Bacon self-portrait from the Joe Lewis collection, while Christie's is set to sell three masterpieces from Agnes Gund's collection, including a Mark Rothko. Gallery news includes Federica Beretta's return to Opera Gallery and David Zwirner's new representation of painter Louis Fratino. French authorities arrested nine individuals in a ticketing fraud scheme targeting the Louvre and Versailles.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 16, 2026 source 2 sources visibility 10 link 30 artists, 11 galleries

paint drippings art industry news feb 16 2745624

This week's art industry news covers significant developments across fairs, auctions, galleries, and museums. Frieze New York announces its 15th edition with a strong Latin American gallery presence, while the India Art Fair reports robust sales, including works by Atul Dodiya and N.S. Harsha fetching up to $600,000. Sotheby's will offer a major Francis Bacon self-portrait from the collection of Joe Lewis, and Christie's is set to sell three masterpieces from Agnes Gund's collection, estimated at over $123 million. Gallery news includes Federica Beretta's return to Opera Gallery and David Zwirner's new representation of painter Louis Fratino.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 16, 2026 visibility 2 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

wassily kandinsky painting worth 15 5 m to headline christies 20 21 spring evening sale in london alongside henry moore work 1234773512

Christie's London will offer Wassily Kandinsky's painting *Le Rond Rouge* (1939) with a high estimate of £15.5 million ($21.3 million) in its 20th/21st Century evening sale on March 5. The work, a key piece from the artist's Paris period, has been in prominent collections and was last sold at Sotheby's New York in 2018 for $20.6 million. The sale will also feature a fresh-to-auction Henry Moore bronze sculpture, *King and Queen* (1952-53), estimated at up to £15 million.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Feb 16, 2026 visibility 4 link 16 artists, 3 galleries

praise shadows boston downtown move 2745268

Praise Shadows Art Gallery, a respected contemporary art gallery, is relocating from Brookline to a 2,000-square-foot downtown Boston storefront in the Leather District. The move was facilitated by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the city's Space for Creative Enterprise Downtown initiative, which helped founder Yng-Ru Chen secure a 10-year lease. The gallery opens on March 13 with a group show titled "Summoning" and has a slate of solo shows planned for Boston-based artists in 2026.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Feb 16, 2026 visibility 4 link 16 artists, 3 galleries

praise shadows boston downtown move 2745268

Praise Shadows Art Gallery, Boston's leading contemporary art gallery, is relocating from Brookline to a 2,000-square-foot downtown Boston storefront in the Leather District. The move was facilitated by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's office and the Downtown Boston Alliance through their 'Space for Creative Enterprise Downtown' initiative, which helped dealer Yng-Ru Chen secure a 10-year lease. The gallery opens on March 13 with a group show titled "Summoning" featuring artists like Oliver Jeffers and Jean Shin, followed by solo shows for Boston-based artists Crystalle Lacouture, Juan José Barboza-Gubo, and Brooke Stewart later in 2026.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Feb 15, 2026 visibility 1 link 1 artist

A ‘showstopper’ of an exhibition at WAM: ‘Alex Katz: Theater and Dance’

The Wichita Art Museum (WAM) has opened a major exhibition titled 'Alex Katz: Theater and Dance,' focusing on the celebrated American artist's decades-long engagement with performing arts subjects. The show features over 50 works, including paintings, collages, and prints, that capture the energy and aesthetics of theater and dance, highlighting Katz's distinctive style of flat planes and bold color.

newspaper Wichita Eagle open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Feb 14, 2026 visibility 2 link 2 galleries

Modern mega gallery: Global art gallery to open Bay Area branch

The global mega-gallery Hauser & Wirth is opening a new branch in Palo Alto, California, in the historic Downing Block building, a former U.S. Post Office. The gallery, designed by architect Luis Laplace, will open in the fall and aims to bring influential contemporary art exhibitions to the Bay Area.

newspaper Verde Magazine open_in_new Read original

article culture schedule Feb 13, 2026 visibility 3 link 11 artists, 1 gallery

carolina herrera fall 2026 wes gordon artists 2745349

Wes Gordon, creative director of Carolina Herrera, presented the brand's Fall 2026 collection in New York. The runway show featured a cast of prominent artists and art-world figures, including photographer Ming Smith, painter Amy Sherald, gallerist Hannah Traore, and artists Anh Duong, Eliza Douglas, and Rachel Feinstein, who modeled the collection. The presentation venue was adorned with murals by artist Sarah Oliphant, creating a cohesive, studio-like environment.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 13, 2026 visibility 2 link 6 artists, 3 galleries

Epstein files reveal Leon Black as a key collector of Van Gogh works

Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal that billionaire investor and former Museum of Modern Art chairman Leon Black was a major private collector of works by Vincent van Gogh. The files detail his ownership of at least five significant Van Gogh pieces, including the painting 'Quarry near Saint-Rémy' and the drawing 'Garden with Flowers,' with a combined value exceeding $95 million by 2016.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 12, 2026 visibility 4 link 17 artists, 3 galleries

bonhams new hq 111 west 57th street 1234773273

Bonhams has opened its new U.S. headquarters at 111 West 57th Street in New York, moving from its longtime Madison Avenue location into a 42,000-square-foot space within the restored Steinway Hall. The design features an 80-foot glass atrium, a grand staircase, and restored historic elements, aiming to create a transparent, cultural-center-like atmosphere rather than a traditional salesroom.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 12, 2026 visibility 3 link 10 artists

Sotheby’s to sell around £2m of art to support the Royal Academy in London

Sotheby's is auctioning ten works of art donated by Royal Academicians and honorary RAs, with an estimated total value of up to £2.6 million, to provide financial support for the Royal Academy in London. The lots, including pieces by El Anatsui and Sean Scully, will be featured in the auction house's flagship March contemporary sales.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Feb 12, 2026 visibility 2 link 9 artists, 2 galleries

The biggest selling Irish artists – and how to start investing

Art Price's annual list of the world's 500 most saleable contemporary artists features five Irish artists, led by Sean Scully at number 16. Scully's auction record is $2,046,500 for his 1985 painting "Song." The other listed artists are Graham Knuttel (ranked 202), Liam O'Neill (376), and Genieve Figgis (350), with their market performance and notable auction results detailed. The article also cites commentary from independent art advisor Arabella Bishop on each artist's market appeal and investment potential.

newspaper The Irish Independent open_in_new Read original

person people schedule Feb 11, 2026 visibility 3 link 4 artists, 2 galleries

nick cave bob faust interview 1234772832

Artist Nick Cave and his partner Bob Faust have transformed an abandoned Chicago textile factory into a vast live-work-gallery complex called Facility. The space houses their apartment, studios for themselves and ten assistants, and a street-facing gallery for emerging artists. Cave is preparing for a major exhibition, "Mammoth," at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, while also working on large-scale public commissions, including a sculpture for Princeton University Art Museum and a collaborative installation for the Obama Presidential Center.

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person people schedule Feb 11, 2026 visibility 1 link 1 artist

harmony korine hollywood reporter ai 1234773123

Filmmaker and multimedia artist Harmony Korine, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, declared his full commitment to creating with artificial intelligence. He described moving beyond traditional narrative forms to explore "post-narrative, sensory, experimental" entertainment through his Miami-based studio EDGLRD, viewing AI as a new creative tool akin to a paintbrush.

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article culture schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 2 link 3 artists

olympics opening ceremony art references 2743971

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics featured significant art-historical references, including a flame cauldron inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's knot drawings and performances that brought to life the marble sculptures of Antonio Canova. Dancers animated recreations of works like 'Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss,' and the ceremony included symbolic representations of Italian architectural landmarks like the Colosseum and Florence's Duomo.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

person people schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 4 link 7 artists, 1 gallery

lauren haynes appointed executive director atlanta contemporary 1234772993

Lauren Haynes has been appointed as the new executive director of Atlanta Contemporary, effective March 16. She succeeds interim director Everett Long, who assumed the role last summer after Floyd Hall's resignation. Haynes joins from the Trust for Governors Island, where she served as vice president of arts & culture and head curator, and brings extensive experience from institutions including the Queens Museum, the Nasher Museum, Crystal Bridges, and the Studio Museum in Harlem.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

gavel restitution schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 3 link 1 artist, 1 gallery

nanjing museum artifacts sale corruption investigation report 1234772930

A major investigation into China's Nanjing Museum has uncovered decades of systemic corruption and mismanagement that led to the secret sale of national treasures into the private art market. The scandal erupted after five paintings from a 1959 donation by the Pang family were found missing, with one, a Ming dynasty painting by Qiu Ying titled 'Spring in Jiangnan,' appearing at auction in 2025 valued at $12.7 million. The probe found that former vice-director Xu Huping authorized illegal transfers of donated works to a state-run cultural relics store for sale, where they were drastically undervalued and sold to private collectors.

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person people schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 3

philadelphia museum of art chief of staff departs 1234772949

Two senior staff members at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Chief of Staff Maggie Fairs and CFO Valerie McDuffie, are resigning. This follows the controversial firing of former director and CEO Sasha Suda in November, who later sued the museum for wrongful termination, and the recent resignation of the marketing chief who oversaw a short-lived and widely mocked rebranding of the institution.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

person people schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 3 link 30 artists, 8 galleries

wet paint jim toth art sound 2744254

Gabi Vidal-Irizarry, a guest writer for Artnet News's Wet Paint gossip column, recounts attending an "Artist Party" at the Museum of Modern Art featuring Arthur Jafa. The column then pivots to a profile of Jim Toth, the audio engineer behind the distinctive white pyramid speakers ubiquitous at New York art world events, tracing his career from the city's legendary 1980s nightlife scene to becoming the preferred sound provider for museums and elite patrons.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

person people schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 2 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

David A. Ross resigns from New York's School of Visual Arts over friendship with Jeffrey Epstein

David A. Ross, chair of the Master of Fine Arts in art practice department at New York's School of Visual Arts (SVA), resigned from his position following the release of documents revealing his long-standing friendly correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The emails, dating from 2009 to 2016, show Ross praising Epstein's ideas for controversial exhibitions and offering him personal sympathy, even after Epstein's 2008 criminal conviction.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Feb 10, 2026 visibility 1 link 3 artists, 2 galleries

Sunnyside artist celebrates Bowie & friends final exhibit at Aubergine Cafe

The final exhibition of 'Bowie and Friends,' a series of portraits by Sunnyside-based artist Gareth Doyle (dubhghaill.art), was celebrated at Aubergine Cafe in Queens, New York. The two-month show featured 13 original works inspired by music icons like David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Kurt Cobain, and John Lydon, with prints and original canvases available for sale.

newspaper qns.com open_in_new Read original

gavel restitution schedule Feb 9, 2026 visibility 1 link 4 artists

michaels lawsuit pose jordan nickel 1234772883

Chicago street artist Jordan Nickel, known as Pose, is embroiled in a legal dispute with the arts and crafts retail giant Michaels. The artist, through his attorney Jeff Gluck, alleges that Michaels used his artwork in advertisements for Ironlak spray paint without his permission. Michaels has responded by filing a preemptive lawsuit in Texas, seeking a court declaration that it did not infringe on any rights and asking for attorneys' fees, while also arguing that it believed it had permission through its supplier, AVT Paints.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 9, 2026 visibility 3 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

France’s ex-culture minister Jack Lang resigns from L’Institut du Monde Arabe amid Epstein revelations

Jack Lang, France's former culture minister, resigned as president of the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) on February 7 following revelations in the Epstein files that his name appeared 673 times. Lang, 86, denies any wrongdoing, acknowledging a long "cordial relationship" with Jeffrey Epstein but claiming ignorance of his sex crimes. The Paris prosecutor's office opened a preliminary investigation into Lang and his daughter Caroline for "laundering of aggravated tax fraud," and Lang stepped down after being summoned by the French foreign ministry at the request of President Macron and Prime Minister Lecornu.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Feb 6, 2026 visibility 2 link 14 artists, 2 galleries

qatar details of new quadrennial epstein and sfmoma ties 1234772663

Qatar has announced details for its inaugural contemporary art quadrennial, Rubaiya Qatar, set to launch in November alongside Frieze Abu Dhabi. Organized by Qatar Museums, the event will feature over 50 artists and new commissions, with a major exhibition titled 'Unruly Waters' curated by Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Mark Rappolt, and Shabbir Hussain Mustafa. Confirmed artists include Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Sophia Al Maria, Mohamed Bourouissa, and Lydia Ourahmane. Additionally, a previously unpublicized pavilion dedicated to Gerhard Richter will open within the quadrennial. Separately, revelations from the Epstein files show ties between Jeffrey Epstein and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, including a donated artwork and potential financial backing for a piece by Neri Oxman. A small Michelangelo drawing of a foot sold at Christie's for $27.2 million, setting a new auction record.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original