Visual Art: Sotheby’s To Stage Modern and Contemporary Art Auction During SAW 2026, featuring works by Walter Spies and Raden Saleh

Sotheby’s will hold a Modern and Contemporary Art auction on 25 January during Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2026 at The Edition Singapore. The sale features rare works by early Southeast Asian masters, including Walter Spies’ "Die Schlittschuhläufer (The Ice Skaters)" (1922) and Raden Saleh’s "The Eruption of Mount Merapi, by Day" (1865), alongside Vietnamese silk paintings by Le Pho and Mai Trung Thu, and a David Hockney piece. The auction highlights a 60% rise in new bidders from Southeast Asia since 2022.

Sotheby's, SAM, and Siong Leng: Singapore art events

Sotheby's is holding a major auction in Singapore on January 25, featuring works by Indonesian Romantic painter Raden Saleh, German painter Walter Spies, and British artist David Hockney, among others. The auction includes Raden Saleh's 'The Eruption Of Mount Merapi, By Day' (1865), expected to fetch between $700,000 and $1.3 million, and Walter Spies' 'Die Schlittschuhlaufer (The Ice Skaters)' (1922), estimated at $980,000 to $1.8 million. Concurrently, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is presenting 'Nafasan Bumi – An Endless Harvest' from January 16 to May 31, featuring Indonesian artists Elia Nurvista and Bagus Pandega, whose works use nickel and palm materials to explore the environmental and social impacts of Indonesia's palm oil and nickel industries.

Our pick of the shows to see in the world's great art cities in 2026

The article presents a curated selection of upcoming art exhibitions across major global cities in 2026, highlighting key shows in Paris, New York, and Tokyo. In Paris, notable exhibitions include a Georges de la Tour show at the Musée Jacquemand-André, a Renoir retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay, and a Henri Rousseau exhibition at the Musée de l'Orangerie. New York features solo shows of Egon Schiele at the Neue Galerie, Thomas Gainsborough at the Frick Collection, and Paul Klee at the Jewish Museum, while Tokyo focuses on women artists from the 1950s and 60s at the National Museum of Modern Art and a centennial exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

The Museums of Verona have a new director. "This city can become a cultural laboratory," says Lorenzo Balbi

I Musei di Verona hanno un nuovo direttore. “Questa città può diventare un laboratorio culturale”, dice Lorenzo Balbi

Lorenzo Balbi, currently director of MAMbo in Bologna, has been appointed as the new director of the Musei di Verona, a civic museum network that includes the Arena di Verona, Casa di Giulietta, Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano, Museo Civico di Storia naturale, Museo degli Affreschi di G. B. Cavalcaselle, Museo di Castelvecchio, Museo Lapidario Maffeiano, and Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti. He will take office in September 2026, selected for his strategic vision to revitalize the system as a hub for cultural production, civic participation, and international dialogue.

Arte contemporanea, fiabe e favole nel racconto di Artbox su Sky Arte

The article previews an upcoming episode of the Italian television program "Artbox" airing on Sky Arte on Tuesday, May 12. The episode visits Castello di Miradolo in Piedmont, where the exhibition "C'è oggi una fiaba" (There Is a Fairy Tale Today) runs until June 21, blending art, literature, and music around childhood themes. Curator Roberto Galimberti and Fondazione Cosso director Paola Eynard discuss the show. The episode also features art historian Maria Vittoria Baravelli's segment "Invito al viaggio," reinterpreting fairy tales as dynamic spaces for growth, referencing artists Luigi Serafini and Luigi Ontani. Additionally, curator Gražina Subelytė discusses the exhibition "Peggy Guggenheim a Londra. Nascita di una collezionista" in Venice, and curators Stefania Bossi, Michele Tavola, and Valentina Cane present the show "Regina. Sperimentatrice geniale" about a prolific sculptor. The program includes a book segment on Orsina Simona Pierini's "I colori delle case. Milan Interiors 1923-1978."

Taiwanese artist Val Lee first solo exhibition in the UK opens at HENI Project Space.

The Hayward Gallery in London, in partnership with the RC Foundation, Taiwan, has opened Val Lee: The Presence of Solitude, the first solo exhibition in the UK by Taiwanese artist Val Lee. Held in the HENI Project Space at the Southbank Centre, the show runs from 7 October 2025 to 11 January 2026 and features film, photography, and costume works including Valley in the Minibus (2024) and The Sorrowful Football Team (2025). The exhibition explores themes of isolation, solitude, and political repression, using disjointed narratives and unidentifiable figures to examine how personal and collective memories are shaped by state systems.

record archeological finds metal detecting british public

The British Museum announced that 2024 was a record year for archaeological discoveries made by the public in the UK, with 79,616 finds recorded. Of these, 1,540 were classified as "treasure" under the 1996 Treasure Act, the highest number ever in a single year and the third consecutive record-breaking year. Ninety-four percent of the discoveries were made by metal detectorists. The figures come from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), a project jointly managed by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru–Museums Wales. Notable finds include a hoard of silver pennies from Harold II's reign, a Roman vehicle fitting with a panther and severed human head, and early medieval gold and silver objects.

mowaa archeological project findings benin city nigeria

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, will open its MOWAA Institute next week, the first completed building of a planned 15-acre campus that will also include the Rainforest gallery and other facilities by 2028. In advance of the opening, Antiquity magazine published an updated report on the MOWAA Archeological Project (2022–2024), a collaboration among MOWAA, the British Museum, and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, with Cambridge Archaeological Unit and Wessex Archaeology as delivery partners. The excavations, the first at the royal palace complex since the 1960s, used both digs and ground-penetrating radar, with radiocarbon dating revealing artifacts spanning from before the Benin Kingdom through its collapse and colonial and postcolonial eras.

south korea president orders major arts investment

South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol has announced a $3.7 billion fund to support film, TV, art, and cultural projects, along with plans to transform the historic presidential residence Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) into a cultural complex modeled after France's Palace of Versailles. The initiative aims to boost the country's cultural sector ahead of major art events including Frieze Seoul, Kiaf fairs, and the Busan Biennale. President Yoon also directed that state-owned art collections, including 23,000 works from the late Samsung Group chair Lee Kun-hee, be made accessible through nationwide tours, and that government art purchases prioritize works by disabled and emerging artists.

buddha gems sothebys controversy

Sotheby's has postponed the auction of the Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha, a collection of over 300 ancient gemstones and metal sheets linked to the Buddha, after criticism from academics, Buddhist leaders, and India's Ministry of Culture. The gems, discovered in 1898 by colonial engineer William Claxton Peppé in Uttar Pradesh, India, were set to be sold by his descendants in Hong Kong on May 7, with bidding starting at HK$10 million ($1.3 million). The auction house stated it is now in discussions with the Indian government to find a resolution.

archeologists uncover vitruvius basilica italy

Italian officials announced the discovery of a 2,000-year-old basilica attributed to the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius, uncovered in the town of Fano (ancient Fanum Fortunae) and completed in 19 BCE. The structure, the only known building by Vitruvius, was found using his own descriptions from the treatise *De architectura*, with archaeologists led by Andrea Pessina confirming an "absolute match" after locating columns exactly where predicted. The discovery was hailed by Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli as "the Tutankhamun of the 21st century."

parties eleventy italian fashion hamptons

CULTURED and Italian luxury brand Eleventy hosted an intimate luncheon at collectors Christine and Richard Mack's Bridgehampton home, blending Hamptons art-world socializing with Milanese craftsmanship. Guests viewed artworks by Thomas Houseago, Peter Farago, and Chloe West alongside Eleventy's fall collection, and included writer Candace Bushnell, artists Megan Gabrielle Harris and Arcmanoro Niles, and various advisors and collectors. A portion of proceeds from Eleventy purchases benefited the Mack Art Foundation, which runs a residency program bringing artists to New York for three months.

woven danielle barr los angeles

Woven and CULTURED hosted their second annual luncheon at Alba in Los Angeles, celebrating visionary women in design. The event brought together gallerists Megan Mulrooney and Anat Ebgi, interior designers Jane Hallworth and Sarah Weichel, and other creative professionals for a relaxed gathering that included fresh flowers, copies of the CULT100 issue, and a vintage car display. Attendees included jewelry designer Kim Dunham, gallerist Rosa Park, lighting designer Analuisa Corrigan, and others, with photography by Madison McGaw/BFA.

Dirk Staschke's exhibition

Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis is hosting a new exhibition of trompe l’oeil stoneware sculptures and tiles by artist Dirk Staschke. Staschke, a sculptor and ceramicist, draws inspiration from Dutch Vanitas still-life painting, blending traditional techniques with contemporary textures and forced perspective. His works merge painting and sculpture, featuring adapted still lives on ceramic vessels and three-dimensional framed tableaus. Staschke holds an MFA from Alfred University and a BFA from the University of Montevallo, and his work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum, Icheon Museum, Crocker Museum, and Portland Art Museum.

43 Works by Park Su-geun on Display at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Gwacheon has unveiled a major reorganization of its permanent collection exhibitions, "Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II." The highlight of the refresh is a dedicated "Artist's Room" featuring 43 works by Park Su-geun, including 20 oil paintings and 23 drawings from the 1950s and 1960s. The update also introduces a spotlight on the prodigy Lee In-sung and expands the "Modernist Women Artists" section with newly acquired and rarely seen craft works.

MCASD welcomes art exhibition from collection of Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) is hosting the West Coast debut of "Giants," a major exhibition featuring the personal art collection of musical icons Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean). The show features works by nearly 40 Black American and diasporic artists, including monumental pieces by towering figures in the contemporary art world. To localize the presentation, the museum has collaborated with the Deans to launch a companion exhibition titled "Hometown Heroes," which spotlights San Diego-based artists.

Mexico City exhibition explores dynamic exchange between Americas and Southeast Asia

A major exhibition titled 'El Galeón Acapulco – Manila Somos Pacífico: El Mundo que emergió del Trópico' has opened at the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Mexico City. It features 300 works, including 80 from Singapore's national collections, exploring the centuries-old cultural and economic exchange between Asia and the Americas facilitated by the Manila Galleon trade route. The show was launched to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Mexico-Singapore diplomatic relations and a state visit by Singapore's president.

Amoako Boafo solo exhibition to open in Venice during 2026 Biennale

Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo will open his first solo exhibition in Italy at the Museo di Palazzo Grimani in Venice this spring, timed to coincide with the 61st Venice Biennale (9 May–22 November 2026). The show, co-organized by Gagosian Gallery, will feature new and recent works inspired by the Renaissance atmosphere of the palazzo and the Venetian portrait tradition. Boafo is creating a series of new pieces specifically for the exhibition, directly referencing the historical context and unique architecture of the museum.

The eight hotly awaited art-venue openings we are most looking forward to in 2026

The article previews eight major art-venue openings expected in 2026, including the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, Cardiff's first contemporary art museum (AMOCA), the V&A East Museum in London, the revived Palais de Danse studio of Barbara Hepworth in St Ives, and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. It also notes the uncertain status of the Museum of West African Art in Benin City amid political disputes. These projects range from vast new museums and subterranean expansions to restored artist studios, many delayed by funding, planning, or construction challenges.

These 16 Miami Art Week 2025 Exhibitions Are Already Creating Buzz Among Collectors

Miami Art Week 2025 is set to take place December 3–7, headlined by Art Basel Miami Beach (public days December 5–7) and concurrent fairs including Design Miami (20th anniversary) and NADA Miami. The article highlights 16 must-see exhibitions across venues such as the Miami Beach Convention Center, Wynwood, and the Miami Design District. Featured galleries include Pace Gallery (presenting Alexander Calder, Elmgreen & Dragset, James Turrell), Locks Gallery (Louise Bourgeois, Isamu Noguchi), Southern Guild (debuting at Art Basel with Zizipho Poswa and others), and Leon Tovar Gallery (focusing on Latin American women modernists).

Art Blooms Across South Korea in September, Despite an Uneasy Market

South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is promoting a month-long Korea Art Festival in September 2025, featuring scores of events including design, craft, and calligraphy biennials across the country. The centerpiece is the concurrent staging of Frieze Seoul (fourth edition, over 120 exhibitors) and Kiaf (24th edition, some 175 galleries) at the Coex convention center in Gangnam, with a single ticket granting access to both fairs. International galleries have been opening local outposts in Seoul, and a Centre Pompidou branch is planned, as the city builds its reputation as an art capital.

Cultural Affairs Bureau announces the selection results of the “Local Curatorial Project” of the “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025”

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao has announced the six exhibition proposals selected for the "Local Curatorial Project" of "Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025." Chosen from 34 submissions by a panel including chief curator Feng Boyi, Wang Xiaosong, Song Dong, Marcel Feil, and Van Pou Lon, the winning proposals are: "Genetic Duration" (curated by Ung Vai Meng), "After Oriental Garden" (Cheong Weng Lam), "The Sea of Languages: Macao Language Research Program" (He Yan Jun and Zhang Ke), "A Speakable Position for Women" (Cheong Cheng Wa and Wang Jing), "Beneath the Wetware Peninsula" (Daisy Di Wang and Wong Mei Teng), and "Jacone's Tower" (Feng Yan and Ng Sio Ieng). These exhibitions will be part of the biennale and will also be shortlisted for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – Collateral Event from Macao, China.

Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road review – ‘I could look forever at these passing moments in cosmic colours’

The British Museum presents a rapturous exhibition of Utagawa Hiroshige's prints, showcasing the early 19th-century Japanese artist's vivid, Technicolor depictions of fleeting moments in Edo (now Tokyo). The show highlights his innovative use of rain, snow, and everyday scenes, such as pleasure boats, cherry blossoms, and temporary riverside restaurants, and includes a final section on his global influence, though critics find this epilogue rushed.

Notte Europea dei Musei 2026: tornano le aperture serali con biglietto a 1 euro. Il programma

The European Night of Museums returns on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with participating museums across Europe opening their doors for special evening hours. In Italy, the Ministry of Culture organizes extraordinary openings from 8 PM to midnight at the symbolic price of 1 euro, alongside events in theater, music, dance, literature, and cinema. Highlights include Rome's Notte dei Musei (16th edition) with civic museums open until 2 AM, Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este in Tivoli offering evening access and contemporary performances, and the Royal Savoy Residences in Piedmont featuring guided tours, exhibitions, and family activities.

Exhibition | Kang Cheol Gyu, 'KANG Cheolgyu: Discarded Host' at Arario Gallery, Seoul, South Korea

Arario Gallery Seoul presents 'Discarded Host', a solo exhibition by South Korean artist Kang Cheolgyu (b. 1990), running from May 1 to June 20, 2026. The show features new paintings that transform personal emotions and psychological sensations into visual narratives, exploring themes of anxiety, tension, identity, and transformation through fictional environments and indirect self-confrontation.

Matisse Mesnil “Sutura” at Romero Paprocki, Milan

Artist Matisse Mesnil has opened a solo exhibition titled "Sutura" at the Romero Paprocki gallery in Milan. The show marks a new phase in his practice, characterized by technical and methodological experimentation focused on metal as his primary material.

Bristol Upfest: Europe's biggest graffiti festival turns city into 'open-air art gallery'

Bristol's Upfest, Europe's largest street art festival, has returned for 2026, transforming the city into an open-air gallery. Organizers say 150 new murals will be created across Bedminster and the city center over 17 days, with five world-renowned artists—Inkie, Insane51, My Dog Sighs, Melo, and HazardOne—redesigning Quakers Friars into Quakers Art Lane. The festival, running until 31 May, includes workshops, walking tours, panel discussions, and interactive spaces, and is expected to draw over 80,000 visitors.

Sony world photography awards 2026 – in pictures

The 2026 Sony World Photography Awards have announced their top honors across professional, open, student, and youth categories. Notable winners include Citlali Fabián for her series on Indigenous activists in Mexico, Seungho Kim for a project exploring the intersection of parenting and pet ownership in South Korea, and Dafna Talmor for her abstracted, collaged landscapes. The winning works span a diverse range of subjects, from the documentation of a fire at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm to intimate portraits of faith at the Vatican.

Amorepacific Museum of Art Presents APMA, CHAPTER FIVE - FROM THE APMA COLLECTION

The Amorepacific Museum of Art in Seoul has launched "APMA, CHAPTER FIVE – FROM THE APMA COLLECTION," a major exhibition featuring approximately 80 works from its permanent holdings. Running from April 1 to August 2, 2026, the showcase includes a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, and installations by over 40 influential Korean and international artists. High-profile participants include Kiki Smith, Rose Wylie, Carol Bove, and Gala Porras-Kim, alongside Korean masters such as Nam June Paik, Lee Bul, and Haegue Yang.

Project 88 and Vadehra Art Gallery at No.9 Cork Street for London Gallery Weekend

Project 88 and Vadehra Art Gallery, two leading Indian galleries, will present exhibitions at Frieze’s No.9 Cork Street space in London from 5th–28th June 2026, coinciding with London Gallery Weekend. Project 88 debuts with 'Treeish', a group show curated by Prajna Desai featuring artists Claire Baker, Mahesh Baliga, Neha Choksi, Goutam Ghosh, Trupti Patel, and Tejal Shah, exploring the agency of trees through diverse media. Vadehra Art Gallery returns with 'A Singular Modernist', a solo exhibition dedicated to the late modernist painter A. Ramachandran (1935–2023), showcasing works from his Puppet Theatre series and later lotus pond imagery.