basel on a budget labubu georg baselitz art basel 2025

Artnet News highlights affordable artworks available at Art Basel 2025, countering the fair's reputation for multimillion-dollar sales. Featured works include John Tremblay's 'Gold sounds' (2025) from the New Paintings series at Ecart's booth, priced at €2,500, and Kasing Lung's limited edition Labubu doll sold at the Art Basel Shop for CHF 200, which sold out rapidly to VIPs and the public. Also noted is Solomon Garçon's 'Bobby (4)' (2025), priced around $3,500, presented by 243 Luz at the Liste fair.

cracking chinese art market

Mario Cristiani, co-founder of Galleria Continua, reflects on the gallery's 20-year journey in Beijing, describing how a meeting with three friends united by admiration for artist Chen Zhen led to opening a space in China. He recounts the vibrant early 2000s art scene, the transformative impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the gallery's initial five years without sales, emphasizing that success in China required credibility, consistency, and genuine cultural integration rather than commercial exploitation.

bronze rhinoceros desk francois xavier lalanne sothebys

A life-size bronze rhinoceros desk by François-Xavier Lalanne, titled *Grand Rhinocéros II* (2003), sold for $16.422 million at Sotheby’s Important Design day sale in New York on June 11. The piece, which measures over four feet wide and 8.5 feet long, had a pre-sale estimate of $3–5 million. After 45 bids over 13 minutes, it hammered at $13.75 million, with the final price including buyer’s premium. The sculpture was the first of eight editions and had been acquired from Galerie Mitterand in Paris in 2003.

beijing china gallery weekend art season recap

Beijing concluded its inaugural "Beijing Art Season" from May 22 to June 1, comprising the long-running Gallery Weekend Beijing and two local art fairs, Beijing Dangdai and Art021 Beijing. The event took place shortly after a diplomatic breakthrough in U.S.–China tariff tensions, but amid China's economic slowdown, the atmosphere was subdued: the Visiting Sector for international galleries and the large-scale group show were scrapped, and satellite events were fewer. Despite this, collectors, curators, and institutional directors from Germany, the UK, Korea, and Japan attended, with some noting China's strategic importance due to its deep collector base. French billionaire Laurent Dassault reported better market sentiment in Beijing than in Europe, while Berlin galleries PSM and Galerie Thomas Schulte made their first appearances at Beijing Dangdai, collaborating with Hua International for a "Berlin Section." The fair grew from 32 galleries in 2018 to 87 this year, reflecting local collectors' appetite for international and experimental contemporary art.

the view from paula tsai

Paula Tsai, a key figure in Asia's art market, discusses the evolving landscape of collecting in the region, focusing on mainland China and Korea. She notes a surge of new buyers from China, many of whom are young entrepreneurs, while the Korean market remains more mature and stable. Tsai addresses the impact of tariffs on importing art, particularly for Chinese collectors, but asserts that passionate collectors will continue to buy, adjusting timing rather than abandoning purchases. She also highlights the growing Thai market and the complexity of the Chinese market, where established collectors are cautious but new entrants keep activity high.

70 million giacometti flops at sothebys as demand for trophy art softens

The top lot of Sotheby's May auction season in New York, Alberto Giacometti's bronze sculpture *Grande tête mince (Grande tête de Diego)* (1955), estimated at $70 million, failed to sell on Tuesday night. The work was consigned by the Soloviev Foundation, set up by Stefan Soloviev, son of late mega-collector Sheldon Solow, and was offered without a financial guarantee, a risky strategy that backfired when no bidders emerged. Auctioneer Oliver Barker made several chandelier bids before declaring the lot unsold at $64.2 million, shocking the packed salesroom.

by the numbers christies 21st century sale edges out estimate aided by bounty of guarantees

Christie’s 21st-century art sale on Wednesday achieved $96.5 million in total sales, a 20 percent increase over the same sale last year. The auction featured 43 lots, with four withdrawn before the sale, and a sell-through rate of 83.7 percent (92.3 percent after withdrawals). The top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat’s *Baby Boom* (1982), which sold for $23.4 million. The sale was heavily supported by guarantees—24 lots were guaranteed, including 18 with third-party guarantees—accounting for 75 percent of the total presale low estimate. Auctioneer Yü-ge Wang faced cautious bidding, prompting playful remarks as collectors tested lower increments.

esther ii conductor alternative art fair reports

During New York Art Week, two smaller art fairs—Esther II and Conductor—offer alternatives to the major events like Frieze and TEFAF. Esther II, now in its second edition, takes place at the Estonian House in Murray Hill, featuring 25 galleries from 17 cities with site-specific installations and performances. Conductor debuts at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, focusing on artists from the Global South and its diasporas, with a unique model that allows artists to fabricate work on-site using the venue's production facilities.

kiang malingue gallery new york expansion

Kiang Malingue, a prominent Hong Kong gallery, is opening a new commercial space in New York's Chinatown this week. The inaugural exhibition features Japanese artist Hiroka Yamashita, marking her New York solo debut. Founders Edouard Malingue and Lorraine Kiang cite a strategy to tap into a growing community of young Asian American collectors and rising market interest in Asian and Asian diaspora artists.

anne imhof sculpting bronze

Anne Imhof, the German artist known for her provocative multimedia performances, is presenting new bronze relief sculptures at the TEFAF art fair (May 9–13) at New York's Park Avenue Armory, the same venue where her performance "DOOM: House of Hope" recently premiered. The works, which debuted in her 2024 exhibition "Wish You Were Gay" at Kunsthaus Bregenz, mark a shift from her signature tech-infused performances to sculptural forms inspired by ancient Greek friezes and Renaissance reliefs. Priced at €250,000 each, the bronzes depict intertwined nude figures, skulls, animals, and apocalyptic imagery, reflecting themes of love, death, and the afterlife.

tefaf new york must see

TEFAF New York returns to the Park Avenue Armory from May 9–13, 2025, featuring 91 exhibitors from around the world. The fair presents a broad range of modern and contemporary art, jewelry, antiquities, and design, with highlights including an untitled canvas by Shirley Jaffe at Galerie Nathalie Obadia, a ceramic bird sculpture by Guidette Carbonell at Lebreton Gallery, a Roman marble head of a bearded god at Charles Ede, and design pieces such as Zaha Hadid's Liquid Glacial coffee table at David Gill Gallery and Josef Frank's 'Flora' chest of drawers at Modernity Stockholm. The event also includes curated displays in the venue's historic period rooms, a feature unique to this fair.

art dubai digital

Art Dubai became the first major art fair to launch a dedicated digital art section in 2022, inspiring similar initiatives at Paris Photo and Art SG. Now in its fourth year, Art Dubai Digital is thriving in the Gulf region, where cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have heavily invested in emerging technologies, including the Dubai A.I. campus, the Museum of the Future, and teamLab Phenomena. The fair has attracted tech entrepreneurs and crypto investors, and Sotheby's recent decision to accept cryptocurrency in Saudi Arabia reflects growing infrastructure for digital art transactions. However, the question remains whether digital art can appeal to traditional collectors or will remain a separate market.

The 5 Best Booths at EXPO Chicago 2026

The 2026 edition of EXPO Chicago opened at Navy Pier with a renewed sense of energy, marking its third year under Frieze ownership and its first under the leadership of director Kate Sierzputowski. Early reports from the VIP preview suggest a successful revitalization of the fair, which has successfully re-engaged longtime Midwestern collectors while simultaneously attracting a more robust international audience.

Hoffnung auf Rekorde bei Auktionen in New York

New York's major auction houses, Sotheby's and Christie's, are gearing up for their spring sales with high-value consignments from prominent collections. Sotheby's will auction Mark Rothko's "Towering Brown and Blacks in Reds" (1957), estimated at up to $100 million, from the estate of investment banker Robert Mnuchin. Christie's is offering works from the collection of the late gallerist Marian Goodman, including Gerhard Richter's "Kerze" (1982) valued at up to $50 million and "Mohn" (1995) around $15 million, alongside pieces from the estates of publisher S. I. Newhouse and collector Agnes Gund, with a Constantin Brâncuși sculpture and a Jackson Pollock painting each estimated at $100 million, and another Rothko at $80 million.

Vima 2026: Highlights From Cyprus’ Emerging International Art Fair

The second edition of Vima, Cyprus' emerging international art fair, took place in Limassol from May 15-17, 2026, drawing 5,200 visitors and featuring 26 invited galleries from over 20 countries. Artworks sold ranged from €550 to €90,000, reflecting increased sales from the inaugural 2025 edition. Highlights included a special exhibition curated by Kostas Stasinopoulos titled "The Crashing Waves," performances by Scottish choreographer Magnus Westwell, and notable presentations by galleries such as Cut Art Gallery (Riga) and Eins Gallery (Limassol). The fair also hosted 25 events including talks, live music, and off-site shows across Limassol and Nicosia.

Frieze New York 2026 Sales Report & Contemporary Art Market Trends

Frieze New York 2026 concluded with significant sales activity, as galleries reported strong demand for blue-chip contemporary works. The fair featured a mix of established and emerging artists, with notable transactions including major paintings by living artists and secondary market pieces. Dealers noted a cautious but steady market, with collectors focusing on high-quality, investment-grade works.

Our Highlights From Frieze New York 2026

Frieze New York 2026 took place from May 13 to 17 at The Shed in Manhattan, featuring nearly 70 galleries. Highlights included Cindy Sherman’s new photographs at Hauser & Wirth (many sold on preview day, with Leonardo DiCaprio visiting), the Focus section curated by Lumi Tan and sponsored by Stone Island, and the Frame section where Diedrick Brackens’ woven works were acquired by the Brooklyn Museum. Frieze Sculpture at Rockefeller Center, curated by Brett Littman, showcased 14 international artists including Nick Cave and Hank Willis Thomas. Mapuche artist Seba Calfuqueo won the Focus Stand Prize for hair-centered works exploring feminism and indigenous heritage.

Ed Ruscha | Angel (2014) | For Sale

Ed Ruscha's 2014 lithograph "Angel" is being offered for sale through Leslie Sacks Gallery in Santa Monica. The work is a unique color trial proof from an edition of 60, measuring 23 by 16 inches, hand-signed and numbered by the artist, and includes a certificate of authenticity. The listing appears on Artsy, where the price is available on request, and notes increased collector interest over the past 14 days.

Christo, Jeanne-Claude | The Pont-Neuf Wrapped (1976-2020) | Art & Prints

An auction listing for Christo and Jeanne-Claude's limited edition print 'The Pont-Neuf Wrapped' (1976-2020) has closed. The work is an archival digital print on wove paper, part of an edition of 450, accompanied by the exhibition book 'Christo et Jeanne-Claude Paris!'. The listing includes details on the artists' legacy, their monumental public projects like 'The Gates' and 'Wrapped Reichstag', and notes that similar works by Christo are available for purchase from various galleries.

Can Digital Art Ever Truly Replicate the Gallery Experience?

The article explores whether digital art platforms can replicate the experience of visiting a physical gallery. It acknowledges the impressive progress of virtual exhibitions—global accessibility, VR tours, AR overlays, and high-resolution zoom—and notes that 35% of UK adults digitally engaged with the arts in 2024/25, up from 27% in 2021/22. However, it argues that something essential is lost without physical presence: the tactile encounter with a painting's texture and scale, the serendipity of in-person discovery, and the spatial awe of standing before a Rothko in a white cube.

SFMOMA’s ‘Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal’ revisits an old controversy

SFMOMA has opened 'Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal,' an exhibition that revisits the 1905 debut of Henri Matisse's iconic painting at the Salon d’Automne in Paris, which sparked the Fauvist movement. The show reconstructs Gallery VII of that salon, reuniting works by all ten original artists—including Matisse, André Derain, and Maurice de Vlaminck—and places the painting in dialogue with contemporary artists to trace its lasting influence. The painting, which was purchased by collectors Leo and Gertrude Stein at the 1905 salon, entered SFMOMA’s collection in 1991 as a bequest from Elise S. Haas and never travels, making this the exclusive venue for the exhibition.

Hube Guide: What to Do in New York During Frieze

Frieze Art Fair returns to New York from May 13th to 17th, 2026, at The Shed for its 15th edition, featuring over 65 galleries from 26 countries. The fair emphasizes Latin American practices and includes a Focus section curated by Lumi Tan highlighting younger galleries and experimental works. Notable presentations include Reika Takebayashi’s ecological dreamscapes, Bruno Cançado’s meditations on Brazilian vernacular architecture, and Abraham González Pacheco’s graphite works. Beyond the fair, performances and installations extend to institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and Dia Art Foundation. The article also previews concurrent exhibitions: "Costume Art" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (May 2026–January 2027), a David Hammons and Jannis Kounellis show at White Cube (May 1–June 13, 2026), and Carol Bove’s exhibition at the Guggenheim (March 5–August 2, 2026).

Ed Ruscha | Vintage Ed Ruscha exhibition poster - Mountain serie… (2010) | For Sale

This is a listing for a vintage Ed Ruscha exhibition poster from his "Mountain series" (2010), offered for sale by Baldwin Gallery (London/Dubai) on Artsy. The offset lithograph on paper measures 39.4 × 27.2 inches, is from an unknown edition, unsigned, and includes a certificate of authenticity. The price is £3,250, with shipping available from London.

Andy Warhol | Ace Gallery Exhibition Poster "The American Indian S… (1976) | For Sale

An Andy Warhol offset lithograph poster from his 1976-1977 "American Indian Series" is being offered for sale by Revolver Gallery in West Hollywood. The poster, designed to advertise Warhol's exhibition at Ace Gallery Los Angeles in February 1977, depicts Native American civil rights activist Russel Means, a member of the American Indian Movement. Warhol created three different posters for consecutive exhibitions at Flow Ace Gallery Paris (October 1976), Ace Gallery Vancouver (November 1976), and Ace Gallery Los Angeles (February 1977), with this blue version corresponding to the Los Angeles show. The work is signed by Warhol, includes a certificate of authenticity, and is priced at $2,860.

How Sweden Built One of Europe’s Most Stable Art Markets

The article examines Stockholm's art scene and its role in building one of Europe's most stable art markets. It highlights Market Art Fair, the city's main contemporary fair founded in 2006 by Nordic galleries, which has become the leading commercial art fair in the region and the anchor of Stockholm Art Week. The piece profiles several galleries, including Steinsland Berliner and ISSUES Gallery, and artists such as Linnéa Sjöberg and Arvida Björström, whose work explores identity, digital culture, and emotional labor. The scene is described as small but lively, with galleries collaborating closely and collectors showing patience.

designboom's ultimate guide to the venice art biennale 2026

Designboom has published a comprehensive guide to the 2026 Venice Art Biennale, featuring a curated list of must-see exhibitions, installations, and events across the city. Highlights include Miet Warlop's "IT NEVER SSST," Michael Armitage's "The Promise of Change" at Palazzo Grassi, and DRIFT's "Shy Society" at Palazzo Strozzi, alongside works by Lotus L. Kang, Lida Abdul, and Kan Yasuda. The guide also points to collateral shows in Pietrasanta and Berlin, offering visitors a broad itinerary beyond the main Biennale venues.

Tracey Emin | Even Saying Nothing Is a Lie (2021) | For Sale

Tracey Emin's 2021 lithograph "Even Saying Nothing Is a Lie" is being offered for sale by Hang-Up Gallery in London for £8,500. The limited-edition print, hand-signed and numbered by the artist, measures 37 × 29 1/10 inches and comes framed. Emin, a leading Young British Artist known for her confessional works such as "My Bed" (1998), has exhibited globally at institutions including the Mori Art Museum, Whitney Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, and her work is held by major collections like Tate and MoMA.

Brazilian women bring Latin American art to the New York collector circuit.

Two Brazilian women, Fernanda Mazzuco and Luciana Solano, run Art in Brackets, a consultancy and art advisory firm based in New York. For the first time, they have opened a public exhibition space on Walker Street in Tribeca, featuring a collective show centered on the African diaspora and transatlantic connections. The exhibition includes works by artists such as Santídio Pereira and Madalena dos Santos Reinbolt, with prices ranging from $3,800 to $140,000. The company, founded in 2022, connects collectors with Brazilian and Latin American artists, operating as 'wall curators' in partnership with various galleries.

Los Angeles Art Scene Overview

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles art scene is experiencing a significant transformation as major blue-chip galleries like Gagosian and PaceWildenstein expand their presence in the city. This shift is driven by the influx of entertainment industry wealth and a growing interest from Hollywood figures, despite a historically smaller collector base compared to New York. Key institutional developments include Eli Broad's financial interventions to stabilize MOCA and fund new building schemes at LACMA.

Beyond Art Basel Hong Kong, Cyborgs, Neon Abstractions and More

Art Basel Hong Kong's return to full scale has catalyzed a surge of satellite exhibitions and gallery openings across the city. High-profile shows include major presentations of cyborg-themed works, neon-infused abstractions, and a focus on both established international names and emerging Asian voices. The city's art hubs, from the H Queen’s building to the Wong Chuk Hang industrial district, are hosting ambitious projects that coincide with the fair's VIP preview week.