Duane Michals, photographer known for sequenced works, 1932–2026

Duane Michals, the American photographer celebrated for his pioneering photo sequences and surreal, narrative-driven works, has died at age 94. His gallery, DC Moore Gallery, announced his passing. Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Michals began his photography career after a trip to the USSR in 1958, and his first solo exhibition was held in 1963 at New York's Underground Gallery. He became known for series such as *Empty New York* (1964) and *The Spirit Leaves the Body* (1968), moving away from single-frame street photography to create sequenced, dreamlike narratives. His work was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1970, and he remained active into his 90s, later incorporating handwritten text and video collaborations with Josiah Cuneo. Recent retrospectives include shows at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Morgan Library, and Fundación MAPFRE.

The Most Expensive Works by David Hockney Sold at Auction

David Hockney, the celebrated British artist known for his vibrant Pop art and iconic swimming pool paintings, died on June 11 at age 88 at his home in London. The article lists his most expensive works sold at auction, including "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" which sold for $90.3 million at Christie's New York in 2018, "Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy" which sold for $44.4 million in November 2024, "Nichols Canyon" which sold for $41 million at Phillips New York in 2020, and "The Splash" which sold for £23.2 million at Sotheby's London in 2020.

Sotheby’s London to Offer Two Monets With Blue-Chip Provenance, Estimated at up to $67 M.

Sotheby’s London will offer two Claude Monet paintings at its June 24 modern and contemporary art sale, with a combined estimate of up to $67 million. The works—Nymphéas (1907), depicting his water lily pond, and Camille assise sur la plage à Trouville (1870–71), a portrait of his wife—come from a single unnamed seller and have blue-chip provenance, having passed through the collections of Anne Bass and Peggy and David Rockefeller, respectively. Nymphéas previously sold for $56.5 million at Christie’s in 2022, while the Camille portrait last sold for $12.1 million at Christie’s 2018 Rockefeller sale.

Don’t lose sight of the big picture in art galleries | Letters

Readers respond to a Guardian article about the overwhelming amount of art in galleries, offering personal strategies for enjoying museum visits. Dr. Penelope Jackson argues that galleries are caught between criticism for showing too much or too little, noting that the National Gallery in London displays about 40% of its collection while Tate Britain shows a tiny fraction. Sue Lewis shares how visiting with children and letting them choose favorite paintings created a joyful, engaging experience. Fiona Willan suggests reading a newspaper review beforehand to focus on key works and save energy for the cafe.

As the Country Turns 250, Why Won’t Its Museums Meet the Moment?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the official America 250 (A250) commission has been taken over by a MAGA-aligned events company that previously produced Trump rallies, including the January 6 insurrection. The new contractors have received over $26 million in no-bid federal contracts and have rolled out commemorative programming that critics say whitewashes history, including a video projection on the Washington Monument that celebrates Christopher Columbus and skips over slavery, Indigenous peoples, and women. Meanwhile, the National Park Service plans to exhibit a statue of Caesar Rodney, a slaveholding signer of the Declaration of Independence, on Pennsylvania Avenue.

What Did Critics Think of a Young David Hockney?

In 1970, Pat Gilmour reviewed the first major retrospective of a 32-year-old David Hockney at the Whitechapel Gallery in London. The exhibition assembled over 40 paintings, as many drawings, and his entire print output, showcasing Hockney's autobiographical themes, playful use of graphic devices, and evolving techniques from faux-naïf scribbles to sophisticated explorations of pictorial depth, water, and the male nude. Gilmour highlighted works like 'Picture emphasising still-ness' and 'Play within a Play', noting Hockney's witty commentary on pictorial conventions and his frank treatment of homosexuality.

25 Art Shows Reckoning With the US at 250

Hyperallergic presents a guide to 25 art exhibitions and projects across the United States that reframe and challenge the story of the nation on the occasion of its 250th anniversary. The article highlights shows such as Rosy Simas's Indigenous survivance-focused exhibition at the Walker Art Center, a survey of women artists from 1945-1979 at Eric Firestone Gallery, and an exhibition of rare manuscripts at Gilcrease Museum examining Native American nations' role in the country's founding, among others.

Lost in a Fantasy of Endless Growth

"Verrannt in einer Fantasie endlosen Wachstums"

Jerry Saltz criticizes Pace Gallery in New York Magazine for pursuing a fantasy of endless growth and hype, comparing it to a 'Fyre Festival of mega-galleries.' He argues that under Marc Glimcher's leadership, the gallery prioritized expansion—more artists, more locations, more projects—over identity, leading to overextension and recent cuts of about 50 artists and 50 staff. Separately, a child at the Israel Museum damaged René Magritte's painting 'The Castle of the Pyrenees' with a pine cone, puncturing the canvas within seconds. In other news, curator Helen Molesworth reflects on sloth as a creative and anti-capitalist strategy in Cultured, and Stefan Niggemeier critiques culture minister Wolfram Weimer's repeated use of the vague term 'Eigentlichkeit' in Übermedien.

Saidiya Hartman on Teaming Up with All-Star Artists to Imagine the End of White Supremacy

Saidiya Hartman, a Columbia professor known for her "critical fabulation" method of writing history, has created her first artwork: a performance titled "Minor Music at the End of the World." Debuted in October, the three-part work imagines the end of white supremacy and features cinematic elements by Arthur Jafa, sculptures by Precious Okoyomon, sounds by Peter Born, and performances by André Holland and Okwui Okpokwasili. Cameron Rowland serves as "Attendant of the Archive." The piece recently had a run in Venice, echoing the Biennale's main show "In Minor Keys." Hartman's essay "The End of White Supremacy," which responds to W. E. B. Du Bois's "The Comet," inspired the performance.

Knicks, Tribeca, Pride!

Hyperallergic's New York newsletter covers a mix of local cultural events and art world news. Highlights include the Guggenheim's screenings of Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's film about Zinédine Zidane during the World Cup, the Tribeca Film Festival, and Pride Month interviews with queer and trans elders, starting with Jamie Nares. Other news includes Pace Gallery cutting 50 artists and laying off 50 staff, a fire in Long Island City damaging artists' studios, and The New School laying off faculty and staff due to budget deficits.

Léon Tutundjian, l’avant-gardiste oublié enfin remis en lumière à Grenoble

The Musée de Grenoble has mounted the first-ever retrospective of Léon Tutundjian, an Armenian-born avant-garde artist who was active in Paris from the 1920s onward. Despite being a friend and peer of major figures such as Jean Hélion, Auguste Herbin, Theo van Doesburg, Jean Arp, and Alexander Calder, Tutundjian was largely forgotten by art history. The exhibition brings together his rare works—including collages, drawings, gouaches, and the sculptural "reliefs" for which he is best known—and aims to restore his place in the narrative of 20th-century modernism.

‘London Needs Some Lobbying’: 50,000 Attend London Gallery Weekend as Dealers Fight Narrative of City’s Decline

London Gallery Weekend (LGW) launched its 2026 edition with a panel discussion titled “How is London’s contemporary commercial gallery scene thriving in times of flux?” featuring mega-dealer Thaddaeus Ropac, Pale Horse Gallery cofounder Emma Hodgson, and Kate MacGarry. The event drew approximately 50,000 attendees and included 120 galleries across the city, with more than 80 free public events. The weekend comes amid troubling headlines for London’s art scene: Pace Gallery cut 50 staff and dropped 50 artists, is downsizing its London operation, and stalwart Stephen Friedman Gallery entered insolvency. New UK tax rules have driven many ultra-wealthy collectors to leave, and Art Basel Paris has drawn attention away from Frieze London.

From Olivia Rodrigo to The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead

This week's entertainment guide from The Guardian highlights several art exhibitions opening in London and Hastings. Henry Moore and Lucian Freud are paired at Hastings Contemporary (13 June–13 September) in a show exploring family bonds. Anish Kapoor returns to the Hayward Gallery (16 June–18 October) with monumental mirrored sculptures and Vantablack works. The Royal Academy of Arts opens its annual Summer Exhibition (16 June–23 August), the world's oldest open-submission show. Other cultural events include Steven Spielberg's new UFO film, Kamasi Washington at Meltdown festival, and a Scottish comedy drama.

What Comes After Grow-or-Go? How Goodman Gallery Changed Course

Goodman Gallery, founded in 1966 in Johannesburg and now with spaces in Cape Town, London, and New York, is undergoing a major restructuring amid a prolonged art market downturn. Owner Liza Essers, who has run the gallery since 2008, saw profits fall 58% in 2024 despite rising revenue, and decided to cut costs aggressively while investing in a more sustainable business model. The gallery is launching a new digital platform ahead of Art Basel, where it will present high-value works by artists including El Anatsui, Kapwani Kiwanga, and Yinka Shonibare. Essers has also dropped several underperforming art fairs, including Frieze London, Singapore, Miami Basel, and FOG.

What Was the Art World Like the Last Time the Knicks Were in the Championship?

The article draws a parallel between the New York Knicks' long absence from the NBA championship and the state of the art world during their last two key moments: 1999 and 1973. In 1999, the Knicks lost the finals to the San Antonio Spurs, and the art world was markedly different—the 48th Venice Biennale, titled "dAPERTutto" and curated by Harald Szeemann, established the modern biennial format; the Whitney Biennial had just begun hiring external curators; and the global art fair boom had not yet started, with Art Basel Miami Beach and Frieze Art Fair still years away. Tate Modern was about to open, commissioning Louise Bourgeois's iconic spider sculpture *Maman* (1999), while the Young British Artists dominated headlines, culminating in the controversial "Sensation" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, which sparked a culture war with then-mayor Rudy Giuliani over Chris Ofili's *The Holy Virgin Mary* (1996).

The Art World Remembers David Hockney: ‘A True Lover of Life’

The art world mourns the loss of British painter David Hockney, who died peacefully at his home at age 88. A leader of the British Pop Art movement since the 1960s, Hockney was known for his vivid paintings, iPad drawings, and iconic personal style. Curators and artists who worked closely with him, including Chris Stephens, Stephanie Barron, Stuart Comer, Sam McKinnis, and Kojo Marfo, shared tributes highlighting his constant reinvention, joyful curiosity, and profound impact on contemporary art. At his death, Hockney held the auction record for the highest-valued living artist.

The Wit and Wisdom of David Hockney

David Hockney, the British artist known for his vibrant California scenes and iPad drawings, is the subject of a feature that collects eight of his best quotes, aphorisms, and one-liners. The article recounts his rebellious student days at the Royal College of Art, where he refused to submit a life drawing of a female model and an academic essay, instead offering a drawing of a male bodybuilder titled "Life Painting for a Diploma." It also includes his sharp opinions on fellow artists—calling Damien Hirst's paintings "terrible" and Jeff Koons "a terrible painter"—as well as reflections on the disappearance of bohemian culture, the importance of faces in art, and his belief that viewers should judge artists by their work, not their words.

David Hockney, Painter Who Captured the Sensibility of ’60s Los Angeles, Is Dead at 88

David Hockney, the iconic British painter best known for his vibrant depictions of 1960s Los Angeles, has died at age 88. His publicist Erica Bolton confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in London on Thursday, June 11, just one month before his 89th birthday. Over six decades, Hockney created a vast body of work spanning painting, drawing, and printmaking, capturing people and places from London to Normandy with a distinctive, unconcerned approach to contemporary trends. Tributes poured in from figures including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson, who praised Hockney's courage and joy in seeing the world anew. Tate Britain plans a major exhibition of his work next year, alongside a multimedia installation at Tate Modern.

Edvard Munch’s chocolate factory series shines a light on the public artist he wanted to be

An exhibition titled "Edvard Munch and the Chocolate Factory" has opened at the Munch Museum in Oslo, running until 11 October. It centers on Munch's rarely seen public works, including a preparatory sketch for Oslo City Hall discovered crumpled in snow after his death, and his 12-painting series for the Freia Chocolate Factory's canteen, completed in 1922. The show also highlights his monumental 1916 decorations for the University of Oslo's Aula, such as "The Sun" and "The History," which he created after a mental breakdown and a stay at a Copenhagen clinic.

Drawings by Willem de Kooning, the ‘last Old Master’, take centre stage in Chicago show

A new exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, titled 'Willem de Kooning Drawing,' brings together more than 200 works spanning seven decades, including drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures by the Dutch American artist Willem de Kooning (1904-97). Curated by Kevin Salatino, the show explores drawing as a concept rather than a theme, featuring iconic pieces like 'Excavation' (1950) and 'Woman I' (1950-52) alongside rare works never before shown publicly, such as early caricatures, crucifixion depictions, and drawings made with the artist's eyes closed. The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of de Kooning's arrival in the US and is the Art Institute's first major show of his work since 1969.

Peroxide mop, statement specs, tweed suits and quirky crocs: David Hockney’s genius for fashion

David Hockney, the renowned British artist, is celebrated for his distinctive personal style, which has evolved from his teenage self-portrait in a blue coat and red scarf to his trademark peroxide hair, round spectacles, rugby shirts, tweed suits, and quirky accessories like yellow Crocs worn to meet King Charles in 2022. The article traces his fashion journey through decades, noting how his unstudied, colorful ensembles—often documented in his own self-portraits—have made him a style icon, inspiring designers such as Christopher Bailey at Burberry and Paul Smith.

David Hockney, an artist of brio and versatility, with global recognition beyond the art world, has died, aged 88

David Hockney, the celebrated British artist known for his vibrant paintings, prints, and set designs, has died at home at the age of 88. Born in Bradford in 1937, he rose to fame as a key figure in British Pop Art after studying at the Royal College of Art, and his career spanned over six decades, encompassing works that ranged from intimate portraits to large-scale landscapes, often incorporating innovative techniques like iPad drawing.

David Hockney – a life in pictures

David Hockney, the celebrated British artist known for iconic works such as *A Bigger Splash* and his vibrant landscapes, has died at the age of 88. The Guardian marks his passing with a photo essay tracing his life from his early days in Bradford to international fame, featuring images of his studio work, exhibitions at the Pompidou Centre and the Royal Academy, and his later years painting nature on vast canvases.

‘David Hockney caught the look of the modern world’: a tribute to the artist whose work was a feast of visual pleasure

The Guardian publishes a tribute to David Hockney, celebrating his lifelong career as an artist who captured the look and feel of the modern world with unabashed visual pleasure. The article traces his journey from a childhood in Bradford, through his student years at the Royal College of Art, to his embrace of Los Angeles as a vision of paradise. It highlights key works such as 'A Bigger Splash' and 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)', the latter selling for $90.3 million in 2018, and discusses his relaxed depiction of gay life, his role as both participant and observer in the new freedoms of the 1960s, and his enduring influence as the 'Matisse of pop art'.

French Scientists Have Developed a New Technology To Help Identify Forged Artworks

Scientists at the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France in Valenciennes have published a study in the June 2026 issue of *Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties* introducing a new method to authenticate artworks and identify forgeries. Led by Francois Berkmans, Ludovic Nys, and Maxence Bigerelle, the research uses surface metrology—analyzing the texture and topography of brushstrokes like a fingerprint—via high-resolution scans. They tested the technique on nine van Gogh paintings, correctly flagging a known fake as a "strong outlier" and confirming the authenticity of *Sunset at Montmajour*, which the Van Gogh Museum had already validated in 2013.

‘She slept in the hallway on a lawn chair’: how Bettina’s astonishing art outgrew her Chelsea Hotel room

The article profiles Bettina Grossman, known simply as Bettina, a reclusive artist who lived and worked in a small room at New York's Chelsea Hotel for decades. Her room was filled to the brim with Xeroxed word art, geometric sculptures, photographs, and collections of leaves, reflecting 40 years of fervent creative output. Artist Yto Barrada, who edited a book about Bettina, describes the overwhelming accumulation of works that forced Bettina to sleep on a lawn chair in the hallway. Bettina's work, including sculptures, photographs, and films, is now featured in an exhibition called 'Bettina: Finite Structures' as part of the Glasgow International festival, showcasing pieces like a newly digitized 8mm animation and distorted photographic reflections of skyscrapers.

Scientists Think They’ve Found a New Way to Spot Fake Van Goghs

Researchers from the University Polytechnique Hauts-de-France have published the most comprehensive study yet testing whether surface metrology—a technique that analyzes an artwork's texture—can authenticate paintings like fingerprints. By converting high-resolution images of eight Vincent van Gogh works into topographical maps and calculating fractal dimension values, the team established a baseline for the artist's brushstroke complexity. They then tested two previously contested paintings: Sunset at Montmajour (1888), validated by the Van Gogh Museum in 2013, proved consistent with van Gogh's fractal values, while the forgery The Plowmen did not. The study appears in Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties.

The Phillips Collection receives largest gift in museum’s history

The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, has received a $15 million gift from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, the largest single donation in the museum's history. The funds will be allocated primarily to the museum's endowment ($12 million) for long-term maintenance, conservation staffing, and digital systems, with additional support for the museum's satellite space Phillips@THEARC and a new annual initiative called Art-Play-Practice. The inaugural installation will reference Sam Gilliam's 1972 work 'Broad Cape.' Director Jonathan P. Binstock, who joined in 2023, has led a strategic planning process that identified infrastructure and staffing needs as critical priorities.

London’s Gallery Scene Is Full of Contradictions. Its Art Is, Too.

London's gallery scene during the June 2026 London Gallery Weekend presented a stark contrast: while Cork Street saw abandoned storefronts from departed galleries like Tiwani and Stephen Friedman, and Pace Gallery downsized, new arrivals Sundaram Tagore and Lehmann Maupin celebrated openings alongside expanding midsize galleries Edel Assanti and Emalin. A total of 126 galleries participated from June 5–7. Notable exhibitions included Thomas Houseago's spiritual installation at Lévy Gorvy Dayan featuring antiquities and modern works, Oliver Beer's sound-vibration paintings at Thaddaeus Ropac, Anne Imhof's Berlin-coded sculptures at Sprüth Magers, and a performance art 'spiritual marriage' at Gallery Rosenfeld. The article highlights a renewed interest in spirituality and nostalgia across shows, with South Asian art becoming increasingly central to London's cultural identity.

John Claridge obituary

John Claridge, a celebrated advertising photographer known for his iconic campaigns for Rolls-Royce, Porsche, and Jack Daniels, has died at age 81. His career spanned decades and earned multiple awards, but he is most revered for his black-and-white photographs of London's East End in the 1960s and 1970s, collected in the 2016 monograph "East End." Claridge's work is held in major institutions including the V&A, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.