Vasari Art Codex

museum exhibitions schedule Feb 6, 2026 visibility 2 link 25 artists, 6 galleries

Mexico City’s Zona Maco fair continues to draw upbeat crowds and eager buyers

Mexico City's Zona Maco fair is drawing upbeat crowds and eager buyers at the Centro Banamex convention centre, running until 8 February. Despite geopolitical tensions and the addition of Art Basel Qatar to the international calendar, collectors, curators, and museum groups from the Americas and Europe are attending in strong numbers. Galleries such as Sean Kelly Gallery, Proyectos Monclova, Kouri + Corrao, and Palo Gallery report robust sales and deep conversations with visitors, with a notable emphasis on ceramics and materiality in the works on view.

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person people schedule Feb 6, 2026 visibility 2 link 12 artists, 5 galleries

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Andisheh Avini, a senior director at Gagosian who has been with the gallery for over 25 years, discusses his career trajectory and the gallery's evolution in an interview timed to the inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar. Avini, who is also an artist, recounts key moments such as the post-9/11 global market expansion that led Gagosian to open spaces in Europe and Hong Kong, and his work with artists including Cy Twombly, Adam McEwen, Piero Golia, and Maurizio Cattelan. He also shares insights into the gallery's approach to art fairs, emphasizing tailored presentations based on location and audience.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 5, 2026 visibility 2 link 6 artists, 7 galleries

ropac to open new york project space adaa new members industry moves 1234772389

Thaddaeus Ropac is opening a new project space in New York and has hired Emilio Steinberger as a senior director. Hauser & Wirth now represents artist Conny Maier in collaboration with Société in Berlin. Zippora Elders Tahalele has been appointed director of the Nederlands Fotomuseum. The Tulsa Artist Fellowship announced its 2026–28 cohort of ten artists and arts workers. The ADAA appointed four new board members: Elizabeth Feld, Bridget Moore, Yancey Richardson, and Melissa Timarchi. Sotheby's second sale in Saudi Arabia, 'Origins II,' totaled $19.6 million, with a record $2.1 million for Safeya Binzagr's work. The article also covers Art Basel Qatar's first edition, with comments from Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and artistic director Wael Shawky.

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article news schedule Feb 5, 2026 visibility 3 link 3 artists, 2 galleries

David Beckham dutifully does the art rounds in Doha

David Beckham was a prominent attendee at Art Basel Qatar in Doha, visiting key art venues and installations. He was seen at Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija's interactive installation in MIA Park, viewing works by Chung Seoyoung at the Fire Station, and attending a performance by Haroon Mirza alongside major collector Sheikha al-Mayassa. Movie star Angelina Jolie was also spotted at a special project by the performance collective Sweat Variant.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 5, 2026 visibility 3 link 9 artists, 2 galleries

Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Lydia Ourahmane among artists confirmed for new Qatar quadrennial

Qatar has announced details for its inaugural Rubaiya Qatar quadrennial, set to open in November across Doha and the wider state. The headline exhibition, 'Unruly Waters,' will feature over 50 artists, including Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Lydia Ourahmane, and more than 20 new commissions. It will be curated by a team led by Tom Eccles and Ruba Katrib, and will incorporate historic objects from Qatar Museums.

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article news schedule Feb 5, 2026 visibility 2 link 4 artists, 2 galleries

A Gerhard Richter pavilion and a new creative visa—Qatar’s Sheikha al-Mayassa reveals future plans

Sheikha al-Mayassa, chair of Qatar Museums and a leading collector, revealed significant cultural initiatives during a talk at the inaugural Art Basel Qatar fair. She announced a new "creative visa" to attract artists, with Egyptian artist Wael Shawky as the first recipient, and confirmed a Gerhard Richter pavilion will open in November as part of the Rubaiya Qatar quadrennial. She also highlighted upcoming institutions like the Art Mill museum and the Lusail Museum.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 4, 2026 visibility 2 link 19 artists, 12 galleries

Art Basel Qatar VIP day: fair’s debut encourages patience

Art Basel Qatar opened its inaugural edition to VIPs in Doha, featuring an unconventional 'boothless' format with 87 exhibitors each presenting a solo artist. The fair, curated by artist Wael Shawky, is split between two venues in the Msheireb district, with blue-chip galleries in M7 and more emerging to mid-tier galleries in the Design District. The event is heavily subsidized by Qatar, significantly lowering costs for exhibitors and encouraging a focus on market education over immediate sales.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 4, 2026 visibility 3 link 2 artists, 4 galleries

Stephen Friedman Gallery goes into administration after 30 years

Stephen Friedman Gallery, a prominent London-based contemporary art gallery, has entered administration and closed its doors after 30 years in business. The gallery had recently expanded, opening a new space in New York and moving to larger premises in London, but financial strain from construction costs, rent, and a downturn in the art market led to its collapse. The gallery's closure was confirmed just as Art Basel Qatar opened, where its planned solo booth was taken over by the represented artist's estate and another gallery.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 3, 2026 visibility 2 link 4 artists

Six key works by M.F. Husain to see at Lawh Wa Qalam

Amita Shenoy, former curator of the M.F. Husain Museum in Bangalore, has selected six key works by the renowned Indian artist M.F. Husain that are now part of the collection at Lawh Wa Qalam in Doha. The selection includes pieces like 'The Raman Effect series' (1987), 'Arab Astronomy' (2008), and 'Quit India Movement' (1985), which illustrate major themes in Husain's life and artistic practice.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 3, 2026 visibility 2 link 4 artists

M.F. Husain in Qatar: bridging Asia and the Arab world

The article examines the life and legacy of Indian modernist painter M.F. Husain, focusing on his final years as a citizen of Qatar. It details his rise as a leading figure of the Progressive Artists' Group, his embodiment of a secular, post-independence Indian identity through his art, and the controversy that forced him into exile after 1996 due to accusations of blasphemy for depicting Hindu deities. He ultimately accepted Qatari citizenship in 2010 and died in London in 2011.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 3 link 10 artists

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Sotheby's second auction in Saudi Arabia, titled 'Origins II,' achieved a strong result of $19.6 million, surpassing its presale estimate. The sale of 61 lots was bolstered by a new auction record for a Saudi artist and a significant increase in the value and volume of works by Saudi artists sold compared to the house's inaugural sale in the country last year.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 1 link 1 artist, 6 galleries

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Singapore's Art SG fair featured a new pavilion called South Asian Insights, backed by India's TVS Motor Company, showcasing contemporary art from South Asia. The pavilion, which included eight galleries and featured a tapestry by Raqib Shaw sold to a Japanese collector, was crowded and highlighted the rising market for South Asian art.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 2 link 3 artists, 4 galleries

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Art Basel's inaugural edition in Doha has arrived, bringing with it new collectors and galleries seeking institutional interest. The event has prompted Doha's museums to stage significant exhibitions that emphasize historical depth and architectural legacy, rather than catering to fleeting market trends.

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article event schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 3 link 13 artists, 11 galleries

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Art Basel has launched its first edition in Doha, Qatar, with a deliberately small and tightly controlled format. The fair features only 87 galleries, all required to mount solo presentations, with strict limits on booth size, power sources, and rehanging of works. This creates a slower, calmer atmosphere distinct from its larger, more chaotic sister fairs in Miami and Paris.

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article event schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 2 link 8 artists, 5 galleries

The first Art Basel Qatar heralds a new model for art fairs in the region

Art Basel has launched its first fair in Qatar, adopting a novel format distinct from its other global events. The fair, featuring 87 galleries, requires each to present only one artist and is spread across multiple venues in Doha's Msheireb cultural district, with an open-plan, museum-like layout and special commissioned projects. Artist Wael Shawky serves as artistic director, emphasizing curatorial coherence over commercialism.

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

Photomontage of Israel bombing Gaza will go on show at Art Basel Qatar

Pakistani artist Rashid Rana's photomontage 'Black Square (2025)' will be presented at the inaugural Art Basel Qatar fair. The work, composed of hundreds of stills from a Gaza CCTV camera, depicts a night of Israeli bombardment and is priced at $30,000, with all proceeds directed to Gaza relief funds. It is being shown by Mumbai gallery Chemould Prescott Road.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 2 link 11 artists, 2 galleries

From a bakery pop-up to an I.M. Pei survey: the exhibitions to see in Doha during Art Basel Qatar

A series of major exhibitions are on view in Doha, coinciding with the Art Basel Qatar event. These include Rirkrit Tiravanija's interactive bakery installation at MIA Park, two major surveys of architect I.M. Pei's work at AlRiwaq Gallery and the Museum of Islamic Art, and a group show titled "we refuse_d" at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

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

‘I don’t take advice on collecting. If I don’t like, I don’t buy’: Tariq Al Jaidah on his approach to acquiring art

Qatari patron and dealer Tariq Al Jaidah is a pivotal figure in building a grassroots commercial art market in Qatar. He opened the country's first commercial gallery, Waqif Art Centre, in 2007, later established the non-profit Katara Art Centre, and most recently founded the commercial gallery Wusum in 2023 to showcase emerging Qatari artists and cultivate young local collectors. He advocates for more private museums, foundations, and corporate collecting to create a self-sustaining ecosystem beyond the state-run institutions.

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museum exhibitions schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 3 link 2 artists, 2 galleries

Aiza Ahmed: ‘I’m finding ways to explore humanity’

Interdisciplinary artist Aiza Ahmed is presenting a solo exhibition of new paintings and woodcut sculptures with New York gallery Sargent's Daughters at the inaugural Art Basel Qatar. The 28-year-old, who splits her time between residencies in Doha and New York, uses the theatrical Wagah-Attari border ceremony between India and Pakistan as a central subject to explore identity, nationalism, and power dynamics.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 3 link 8 artists, 2 galleries

MENA Artists Are Having a Market Moment That’s Built to Last

Auction sales for artists from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region rose 9.4% to $33.2 million in 2025, driven by increased activity from international auction houses and the emergence of new hubs like Riyadh. The Sotheby's 'Origins' sale in Saudi Arabia achieved $17.3 million, setting artist records, while works from Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq saw particularly strong gains, indicating a market rebalancing.

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trending_up market schedule Feb 2, 2026 visibility 2 link 1 artist

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Saudi Arabia is scaling back some of its ambitious 'gigaprojects' under the Vision 2030 plan due to falling oil prices and budget constraints, raising questions about the future of its major cultural investments. This shift occurs as the art world's attention turns to the Gulf region for the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, highlighting the tension between grand cultural ambitions and economic realities in a key emerging art market.

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article news schedule Jan 30, 2026 visibility 2 link 13 artists, 8 galleries

Art Basel Qatar is the latest addition to a grand national plan

Art Basel is launching a new fair in Qatar, marking its first foray into the Middle East. This expansion occurs within a landscape already heavily shaped by decades of strategic, state-led cultural investment spearheaded by Qatar Museums and its chairperson, Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani.

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person people schedule Jan 28, 2026 visibility 4 link 8 artists, 3 galleries

veneklasen gallery appoints new partners winds down los angeles 1234771182

Dealer Gordon VeneKlasen has announced plans to open his own eponymous gallery after separating from Michael Werner Gallery, where he ran the New York space for over 30 years. As part of the agreement, VeneKlasen will take over Werner's New York and London locations, while the short-lived Los Angeles branch of Michael Werner Gallery will close. Two longtime employees, Justine Birbil and Kadee Robbins, have been promoted to partners at VeneKlasen Gallery. The gallery will debut at the inaugural Art Basel Qatar with a solo presentation of works by Issy Wood, followed by exhibitions of Sigmar Polke's paintings in New York and London.

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trending_up market schedule Jan 28, 2026 visibility 3 link 8 artists, 9 galleries

jack shainman esther schipper victoria miro olney gleason roster 1234771271

This article from ARTnews reports on recent industry moves in the art world, including gallery roster additions and appointments. Jack Shainman Gallery added Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist Donyel Ivy-Royal, Esther Schipper now represents Tuan Andrew Nguyen in collaboration with James Cohan, Emalin took on Ghanaian artist Jonathan Okoronkwo, and Victoria Miro and Olney Gleason will jointly represent Emil Sands. Additionally, the Bass Museum of Art appointed Jasa McKenzie as associate curator. The piece also highlights a record-breaking $84.1 million sale of William I. Koch's Western art collection at Christie's, which set five new artist records, including Frederic Remington's reset twice.

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article news schedule Jan 28, 2026 visibility 5 link 7 artists, 4 galleries

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Dealer Gordon VeneKlasen has announced plans to relaunch his gallery under his own name, VeneKlasen Gallery, after splitting from Michael Werner Gallery. He will take over the New York and London locations, while Werner's Los Angeles outpost will close. Justine Birbil and Kadee Robbins have been promoted to partners. The gallery will debut at Art Basel Qatar with a solo presentation by Issy Wood and will host inaugural exhibitions of works by Sigmar Polke. Separately, a rare 16th-century portrait by Sofonisba Anguissola, "Portrait of a Canon Regular" (1552), has been rediscovered and is on view at the Winter Show at Manhattan's Park Avenue Armory, at the booth of dealer Robert Simon. The work was found in a private collection in Durham, North Carolina, after being thought lost.

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trending_up market schedule Jan 23, 2026 visibility 2 link 2 galleries

arttactic art market outlook 2026 1234770801

ArtTactic's Global Art Market Outlook report indicates that the art market is entering 2026 with renewed optimism, with over half of participants expecting growth. Auction sales rose 11% year-on-year in 2025, driven by high-value trophy works and single-owner collections. Confidence is strongest at the top (works over $1 million) and bottom (under $50,000) of the market, while the mid-market remains squeezed. Modern and Post-War art lead the rebound, with painting dominating over NFTs and AI art. Geographically, the Middle East is the most bullish region, boosted by events like Art Basel Qatar, while the US and parts of Asia show improving sentiment, and Europe lags.

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article policy schedule Jan 21, 2026 visibility 3 link 3 artists

gabrielle goliath legal action south africa venice pavilion 1234770389

Artist Gabrielle Goliath and curator Ingrid Masondo are filing a court case against South African culture minister Gayton McKenzie after he canceled their planned pavilion for the Venice Biennale. McKenzie objected to a performance from Goliath's "Elegy" series that would address Israel’s war in Gaza, calling it "polarizing," a move Goliath described as censorship. McKenzie later attributed the cancellation to alleged interference by an unnamed foreign nation, with reports suggesting Qatar was involved, though the Qatar Museums ultimately did not purchase the work. The application, to be filed in the South African high court in Pretoria, seeks to have McKenzie's actions declared unconstitutional.

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museum exhibitions schedule Jan 21, 2026 visibility 2 link 3 artists, 22 galleries

zona maco 2026 exhibitor list preview 1234769449

Zona Maco, one of Latin America's premier art fairs, will return to Mexico City from February 4–8, 2026, at Centro Banamex. The fair will feature 241 exhibitors across nine sections, including a new section called Forma, which blends contemporary art and design, and a revised Diseño Emergente section for emerging designers. Notable participants include Pace Gallery, Galleria Continua, Kurimanzutto, and OMR, with curated sections led by Aimé Iglesias Lukin and Manuela Moscoso. Founder Zélika García highlighted the fair's growth and its commitment to showcasing blue-chip galleries alongside emerging and mid-career talent.

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article news schedule Jan 20, 2026 visibility 1 link 3 artists, 1 gallery

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South Africa withdrew its national pavilion from the Venice Biennale after Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie claimed a foreign power attempted to purchase artist Gabriele Goliath's work *Elegy*, which addresses femicide, anti-queer violence, the war in Gaza, and Germany's colonial genocide in Namibia. McKenzie deemed the financial interest a use of "proxy power." New reporting from Daily Maverick reveals that the alleged foreign party was Qatar Museums, a state-owned network, which had expressed interest in acquiring the work but never committed to a purchase. The minister's decision has sparked political backlash, with South Africa's public protector processing a formal complaint against McKenzie, and Goliath's team accusing him of censorship and deflection.

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trending_up market schedule Jan 20, 2026 visibility 3 link 28 artists, 6 galleries

12 Collectors on the Artists, Shows, and Trends to Watch in 2026

Artsy spoke with 12 leading collectors about the artists, exhibitions, and trends they are most excited to follow in 2026. Highlights include the re-centering of women artists, the rise of South Asian and LGBTQ+ artists, and the impact of AI on gallery operations. Collectors point to major institutional milestones such as LACMA's new campus, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Venice Biennale, and Art Basel's expansion into Qatar, as well as specific shows like Claire Tabouret's stained-glass commission for Notre-Dame and the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

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