A Mirrored Monet review – painter reflects on his past in a musical with heart and humour

A new musical titled 'A Mirrored Monet' explores the life of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, focusing on his later years as he reflects on his youth, his artistic struggles, and the personal sacrifices he made, particularly regarding his first wife Camille. The production uses innovative set design to immerse the audience in the Impressionist style and features a strong cast portraying Monet and his contemporaries.

‘The way the world is, something daft is appealing’ – why everything from pizzas to podcasts has a cartoon character on it

A distinctive cartoon illustration style, rooted in 1920s 'rubber hose' animation and influenced by graffiti, vintage Americana, and underground comics, has become ubiquitous in contemporary branding. This aesthetic, characterized by exaggerated, jointless limbs and friendly faces, now adorns everything from independent pizza shops like London's Yard Sale Pizza to wine labels for Top Cuvee, podcasts, and even global fashion collaborations.

‘Arms and legs are very expressive, especially with bruises’: the absurdist photography of Yorgos Lanthimos

Director Yorgos Lanthimos has opened a photography exhibition at the Onassis Stegi in Athens, showcasing personal images taken in Greece over recent years. The show includes a central, temple-like installation housing his newer, non-film-related work, alongside earlier photographic series connected to his movies 'Poor Things' and 'Kinds of Kindness'.

Collaged Denim Sculptures by Nick Doyle Unravel American Mythology

Brooklyn-based artist Nick Doyle creates large-scale wall sculptures using layered and bleached denim, exploring American mythology and its contradictions. His solo exhibition "Collective Hallucinations" at Perrotin features works such as stylized cacti, landscapes, tarot cards, and a fortune teller's shop, all rendered in denim. Doyle's practice began after finding a discarded roll of denim in 2018, which he saw as a metaphor for the complexities of American history, including slavery, masculinity, and Manifest Destiny.

Exhibition explores revolutionary artists the Scottish Colourists in a new light

A major exhibition opening at The Arc Gallery in Winchester places the Scottish Colourists—SJ Peploe, JD Fergusson, GL Hunter, and FCB Cadell—in dialogue with their European and UK contemporaries for the first time. Running until September, the show features 70 artworks including André Derain's *The Pool of London* (1906) on loan from the Tate, alongside works by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Walter Sickert, Augustus John, and Roderic O'Connor. The exhibition is presented by Hampshire Cultural Trust in partnership with the Fleming Collection and explores the international "colour revolution" from 1905 to 1914, examining influences of Cubism and Vorticism.

Frederic Church in Vermont

An exhibition titled "Frederic Church in Vermont" brings together over forty graphite drawings, oil sketches, and finished paintings by the American landscape painter Frederic Church, created during his visits to Vermont over thirty years. The works, drawn from public and private collections including Olana State Historic Site, the Yale University Art Gallery, and the Newark Museum of Art, trace Church's development from an aspiring student to a mature artist following the death of his mentor Thomas Cole in 1848.

November Book Bag: from a tome of Japanese printmakers to the first Nina Chanel Abney monograph

The article reviews four new art books released in November. It covers 'Modern Japanese Printmakers: New Waves and Eruptions' by Malene Wagner (Prestel), a survey of 44 Japanese printmakers from the early 20th century to today; the debut monograph on Nina Chanel Abney (Monacelli) with contributions from Thelma Golden and Jazmine Hughes; 'Massimo Listri: Italian Palaces' (Taschen), a photographic tour of grand Italian palaces; and 'Strange Discoveries: The Art of Denton Welch' (John Swarbrooke Fine Art), a catalogue accompanying the first solo exhibition of Welch's work in over 40 years.

For the Obama Center, Mark Bradford Paints a Fierce and Luminous Chicago

Mark Bradford has completed "City of the Big Shoulders," a monumental painting for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The work, which took five years to create, maps migration patterns and structural racism, reflecting the city's strength and complexity through Bradford's signature abstract, layered style.

Aldwyth, Ascetic Whose Artwork Reordered the World, Dies at 90

Aldwyth, a reclusive artist known for her intricate collages and Joseph Cornell-inspired assemblages, has died at age 90. Living an ascetic lifestyle, she created epic, densely layered works that reordered art history and her own place within—and outside—it, often using found objects and meticulous cut-paper compositions.

A Mural by the Painter of ‘American Gothic’ Gets New Life

Grant Wood's 1926 mural "Corn Room" has been restored and will serve as the centerpiece of a centennial exhibition at the Sioux City Art Center in Iowa. The mural, created by the painter best known for "American Gothic," depicts a vibrant interior scene dominated by corn motifs, reflecting Wood's regionalist style and his deep connection to the American Midwest.

At Hong Kong Art Basel, an Exhibition of Works by El Anatsui

El Anatsui, the celebrated Ghanaian artist, is presenting a major exhibition of new works at Art Basel in Hong Kong. The presentation, titled "The Way of the Earth," features large-scale metallic tapestries and sculptures created from found materials like bottle caps and copper wire, reflecting his signature style.

Bose Krishnamachari’s resignation from Kochi Biennale came after sexual harassment allegations

Bose Krishnamachari resigned as director of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and from the board of its foundation in January. The Kochi Biennale Foundation chairperson has now stated the resignation followed a December complaint alleging Krishnamachari sexually harassed a female employee at his apartment, making unwanted remarks and advances. Krishnamachari had initially cited family reasons for his departure.

Must-See: Rosa Loy Finds a Durable Form of Togetherness

Rosa Loy, a German painter associated with the New Leipzig School, presents a new body of work at a solo exhibition that explores themes of togetherness, collaboration, and female solidarity through her signature figurative, dreamlike style. The show features large-scale paintings and works on paper that depict pairs or groups of women engaged in shared activities, rendered in muted earth tones with subtle surrealist undertones.

In ‘Door to Life,’ Pacita Abad Evokes Traditional Yemeni Architecture

The article reports on 'Door to Life,' the third solo exhibition of works by the late Filipino artist Pacita Abad (1946-2004) at Tina Kim Gallery in New York. The show focuses on a body of work Abad created after her 1998 visit to Yemen, where she was inspired by the country's traditional architecture and decorative arts, particularly its ornate doors and qamariya (semicircular stained-glass windows). The works, executed in her signature trapunto style—a technique of stitched, padded canvas—layer geometric patterns, botanical motifs, and vibrant colors to evoke Yemeni design. The exhibition runs through June 20.

WATCH | Steelman to host studio tour with Arts and the Park Saturday and Sunday

Bethannie Newsom Steelman will host a studio tour at 415 Park Ave. in Hot Springs on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m., as part of Arts and the Park. The event features live painting by Steelman, musical performances by Ricko Donovan, DJ Schaeffer, Gino Del Ray, and the band Inoculated Log, as well as New Orleans-style snowballs from Spa City Snowballs. Steelman, who creates murals for businesses, began renting her studio in April and is excited to share her creative process with the public.

Obey Giant x Add Fuel Modular Frequency Shepard Fairey Fine Contemporary Art , 2026

Street art pioneer Shepard Fairey has released a collaborative screen print titled "Modular Frequency" in partnership with Portuguese artist Add Fuel (Diogo Machado). The limited-edition work, produced by Obey Giant Studios, features a fusion of Fairey’s signature propaganda-style aesthetics with Add Fuel’s contemporary take on traditional tile patterns. The hand-signed and numbered edition is currently being offered through New Union Gallery on the Artsy platform.

Tracey Emin | Sunday Morning with You (2015) | Available for Sale

The British artist Tracey Emin’s 2015 monotype titled "Sunday Morning with You" has been listed for sale through Carolina Nitsch Contemporary Art. The unique work on Somerset paper, priced at $25,000, exemplifies Emin’s signature confessional style and intimate draftsmanship.

Review: June Leaf retrospective at Oberlin College is a revelation

The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College is hosting a major retrospective of the late American artist June Leaf, featuring over 100 works spanning 75 years. The exhibition, which originated at the Addison Gallery of American Art, showcases Leaf’s unique figurative style and her roots in Chicago’s "Monster Roster" group. The show aims to provide art historical justice to an artist who often worked in the shadow of her husband, the legendary photographer Robert Frank.

Shepard Fairey Projection Mirror: ICE Paid Agitator Screenprint Contemporary Art Obey Giant , 2026

Street artist Shepard Fairey has released a new limited-edition screenprint titled "Projection Mirror: ICE Paid Agitator" as part of his "FUCK ICE" series. The artwork features inflammatory rhetoric previously used by the Trump administration, redirected toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to highlight what the artist describes as the agency's pervasive brutality and dehumanizing attacks on immigrants. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these prints will benefit the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).

The Art Newspaper and L'OFFICIEL to launch Frieze week pop-up at historic London newsagent

The Art Newspaper, in collaboration with L'Officiel, is launching a pop-up takeover at Shreeji, a historic newsagent on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, London, during Frieze week. The pop-up will run from 8:30am to 6pm on Saturday 18 and 8:30am to 4pm on Sunday 19, offering free copies of The Art Newspaper's daily Frieze papers, the October issue with a special supplement on the British Museum, the autumn/winter issue of Art of Luxury magazine, and the latest L'Officiel. Visitors can also enjoy L'Officiel coffee and complimentary drinks on Saturday evening.

Christie's to sell three early paintings by Lucian Freud for £20m

Christie's will offer three early paintings by Lucian Freud from a single private collection at its London evening sale on 15 October, with a combined estimate of £13m to £20m. The works span three decades of Freud's career: *Woman with a Tulip* (1944, est. £3m-£5m), *Self-portrait Fragment* (around 1956, est. £8m-£12m), and *Sleeping Head* (1961–71, est. £2m-£3m). All three have been in the same collection for many years and have been exhibited widely, including in major retrospectives at the National Gallery, London, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

9 Miami Art Exhibits You Absolutely Can’t Miss Right Now

A guide to nine must-see art exhibitions in Miami highlights current and upcoming shows across the city. Featured exhibits include Random International's interactive light installation "Alone Together" at Superblue Miami, the Freedom Tower's centennial exhibitions "Libertad" and "We Carry Our Homes With Us" at the Museum of Art and Design, the first solo show of twin photographers Elliot & Erick Jiménez at Pérez Art Museum Miami, and Weerdo's graffiti exhibit "Signs of the Times" at the Museum of Graffiti. Also listed are the Smithsonian's "EYEJAMMIE" photo collection at The Art of Hip Hop and a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at Frost Science.

Why this WA artist has gained so much acclaim

Joe Feddersen, a 71-year-old artist and member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, has gained widespread acclaim for his prints, paintings, weavings, glass sculptures, ceramics, photography, and digital imagery. His work draws on the Plateau pictorial style and ancient petroglyphs, blending traditional Indigenous motifs with contemporary icons like chain-link fences and high-voltage towers. A traveling retrospective, a new book titled "Earth, Water, Sky," and a 2024 Governor's Arts & Heritage Award mark a particularly busy period, culminating in the exhibition "Past/Present" at studio e gallery in Seattle. Feddersen also addresses painful history, such as the 2021 discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, through works covered with skull outlines.

Jeremy Deller to close National Gallery's bicentenary celebrations with ‘first of its kind’ parade and party

London's National Gallery will conclude its bicentenary celebrations on 26 July with a large-scale public event in Trafalgar Square titled "The Triumph of Art," conceived by artist Jeremy Deller. Billed as the largest event of its kind in the UK, the free, family-friendly day will feature processions, performances, parades, and live music, drawing on British folklore and traditions. Deller has also collaborated with organizations across the UK on standalone projects, including events in Derry/Londonderry, Dundee, Llandudno, and Plymouth, which will feed into the London celebration. A new exhibition of works from Deller's archive, including pieces by emerging artists, will accompany the event.

Martin Wong’s Brick Monument to Popeye

Hyperallergic reviews Martin Wong's posthumous exhibition "Popeye" at PPOW gallery, featuring six motorized plywood panels that reimagine the cartoon character Popeye as curving brickwork. The show includes smaller works like "Sacred Shroud of Pepe Turcel" (1989–90) and paintings of vintage cartoon characters Mutt and Jeff, Little Lulu and Tubby, all rendered in Wong's signature brick style. The review highlights Wong's queer, magpie sensibility and his ability to cross boundaries between high and low culture.

‘The Queen of the Ghetto’ Gave New York’s Immigrant Community a Voice. A Century Later, It’s Re-emerging

Anzia Yezierska, a Polish-Jewish immigrant who arrived in New York in 1890, defied traditional gender expectations to become a leading literary voice of the 1920s. Dubbed the 'Queen of the Ghetto,' she documented the raw struggles of immigrant women on the Lower East Side using a unique 'immigrant English' style that captured Yiddish idioms. After escaping a restrictive marriage and pursuing an education at Columbia University, she channeled her personal frustrations into stories of poverty, ambition, and the psychological toll of assimilation.

Mei Lanfang Was Famous for His Masterful Performances as Female Leads. In the 1930s, He Introduced American Audiences to the World of Chinese Opera

Mei Lanfang Was Famous for His Masterful Performances as Female Leads. In the 1930s, He Introduced American Audiences to the World of Chinese Opera

Mei Lanfang, one of China's most celebrated Peking opera stars famed for his masterful performances of female *dan* roles, embarked on a groundbreaking seven-month tour of the United States in 1930. His performances, which introduced American audiences to the elaborate art of Chinese opera for the first time, were met with critical acclaim and packed houses, earning him honorary doctorates from American universities and adulation from both Chinese American communities and the wider public.

James McNeill Whistler was more than just a combative ‘coxcomb’

Carol Jacobi, curator of a new exhibition at Tate Britain in London, aims to reframe the legacy of James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), an artist often reduced in public memory to his 1877 libel lawsuit against critic John Ruskin. The show, the UK's first full Whistler survey since 1994, highlights his prolific output, evolving style, and belief that art should seek "a more fundamental beauty" beyond mere impression. It brings together many of his celebrated nocturnes and, for the first time, his sketchbooks, though the infamous Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket (1875) could not be loaned.

Met Gala guests arrive on carpet in dramatic works of art

The 2026 Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, featured celebrities arriving in dramatic, custom outfits adhering to the dress code 'Fashion is art.' Notable attendees included Naomi Osaka in a Robert Wun white sculptural dress with red feathers and dripping red paint, Emma Chamberlain in a hand-painted Mugler gown by Miguel Castro Freitas, and co-chair Anna Wintour in a mint ensemble by Matthieu Blazy for Chanel. The event celebrated the opening of the Costume Institute's exhibition 'Costume Art.'

What Is the 2026 Met Gala Exhibit “Costume Art” All About?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute will unveil its 2026 exhibition, “Costume Art,” on May 4, 2026, coinciding with the Met Gala. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the show explores the relationship between fashion and the human body, juxtaposing garments like Rei Kawakubo's bulbous Comme des Garçons ensemble with artworks such as Hans Bellmer's “La Poupée” and Albrecht Dürer's “Adam and Eve.” Mannequins cast from real bodies and mirrored heads by artist Samar Hejazi will enhance the immersive experience. The exhibition runs from May 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, in the new Condé M. Nast Galleries.