Poly Auction Hong Kong Spring Auctions 2026: High Jewels and Watches, Modern and Contemporary Art Auctions to Be Held on 6 April

Poly Auction Hong Kong has announced its Spring 2026 auction series, scheduled to take place from April 6 to April 8 at the Shun Tak Centre. The sales feature a diverse array of categories including Modern and Contemporary Art, Chinese Ceramics, Chinese Paintings, and High Jewelry and Watches. Highlighting the contemporary selection is Liu Wei’s 1995 masterpiece "You Like Pork?", a rare work previously exhibited at the Venice Biennale, alongside a significant 1960s "White period" abstract canvas by Zao Wou-Ki.

Morad Montazami appointed artistic director of 2026 Dakar Biennale

Morad Montazami has been named the artistic director for the 16th edition of the Dakar Biennale, scheduled to run from November 19 to December 19, 2026. Titled "(Anti)Fragility: Arts of Repair and Counter-Shock Strategies," the exhibition will explore themes of community-led restoration and the transformation of vulnerability into collective strength. Montazami, a former Tate Modern curator and founder of the platform Zamân Books & Curating, brings an extensive background in postcolonial art histories and global modernisms to the prestigious African forum.

Centenary of Elizabeth II: Two colossal statues of the queen to be erected in London's St James's Park

Centenaire d’Elizabeth II : deux statues colossales de la reine seront érigées à Londres, dans St James’s Park

London has unveiled the final design and models for a colossal memorial to Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park, to be completed by 2028. The centerpiece is a seven-meter bronze statue of the queen at age 28, inspired by a Pietro Annigoni portrait and created by sculptor Martin Jennings. It will be accompanied by a statue of Prince Philip by Jennings and a second, more intimate statue of the queen in old age by Karen Newman. The project marks the centenary of Elizabeth II's birth (1926–2022) and is designed by Foster + Partners. Models are on display at the British Museum until June 21.

V&A East targets young people

Le V&A East vise les jeunes

The Victoria and Albert Museum has opened a new branch called V&A East in Stratford, east London, within the former Olympic Park. The £135 million (€155.8 million) building, designed by O'Donnell and Tuomey, features 479 sand-colored concrete panels and houses around 500 objects from the V&A's collection across two permanent galleries titled "Why We Make." The museum opened on April 18 and is part of the East Bank cultural complex supported by the London municipality. It prioritizes local engagement and mediation tailored to attract younger audiences, with exhibitions addressing social justice and environmental themes.

Gilles Bloch: "The Museum needs 1.1 billion euros"

Gilles Bloch : « Le Muséum a besoin de 1,1 milliard d’euros »

Gilles Bloch, president of the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle in Paris, has issued an urgent call for €1.1 billion in funding to address the critical state of the institution's infrastructure. Ahead of its 400th anniversary in 2026, a diagnostic report reveals that 74% of the museum's 120 buildings are in poor condition, with several galleries currently closed to the public or suffering from inadequate climate control. The requested funds would cover €500 million in emergency repairs to stabilize decaying structures and a further €600 million for long-term modernization and energy efficiency upgrades.

Dartmouth Students Renew Efforts to Rename Leon Black–Funded Arts Center

Dartmouth College students have reignited a campaign to rename the Black Family Visual Arts Center, a campus facility funded by billionaire investor Leon Black. The movement, led by freshman Oscar Rempe-Hiam and supported by student government, criticizes the administration's lack of urgency in distancing the institution from Black, whose long-standing ties to Jeffrey Epstein and personal allegations of sexual misconduct have sparked years of controversy.

Hired Amid Great Fanfare, Patricia Marroquin Norby, Met’s Inaugural Curator of Native American Art, Quietly Left

Patricia Marroquin Norby, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's inaugural full-time associate curator of Native American art, quietly left her position in December. Her departure followed independent investigations, including a 2024 report from the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, which challenged her claims of Native American ancestry. Both Norby and the museum cited health concerns as the reason for her exit.

Comment | Flourishing markets beyond the big three will benefit the art ecosystem—and the planet

The article analyzes the shifting dynamics of the global art market, reporting that regions outside the traditional 'big three' hubs of the US, UK, and China have increased their market share from 17% in 2015 to 24% in 2025. This shift is driven by nationally protective regulations like Brexit and tariffs, which have stifled the free circulation of contemporary art. While the US market remains dominant at 44%, countries such as South Korea, Switzerland, Japan, and Australia have seen growth, and emerging cultural energy is noted in places like Bangkok, Warsaw, Margate, and Qatar.

‘Exclusion can only satisfy the ego’: Venice Biennale president hits out at critics amid Russia and Israel controversy

Venice Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the institution against critics at a conference on May 6, three days before the public opening, amid controversy over Russia's return to the event for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and ongoing disputes over Israel's participation. He accused critics of “narcissism” and “censorship,” while Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli sent inspectors to investigate whether Russia's involvement breached sanctions; a report was submitted to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office. Meanwhile, the Biennale faces legal threats from the artist representing Israel over alleged discrimination, and protests have erupted, including a demonstration by Art Not Genocide Alliance and a Pussy Riot action at the Russia pavilion.

Malaysia Showcases Recovered 1MDB Artworks, From Picasso to Miró

Four artworks recovered from the 1MDB scandal—by Picasso, Miró, Balthus, and Maurice Utrillo—have gone on public display for the first time at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya. The paintings were repatriated from New York after being traced through Sotheby’s and shipped back to Malaysia on April 14. They are part of a broader art trail linked to the massive financial fraud, with Malaysian officials framing the display as an act of restitution rather than an art event.

The Price Points Powering the Art Market

The article, part of the Artnet Intelligence Report: Year Ahead 2026, analyzes art market performance by price bracket in 2025. The $1 million-to-$10 million range was the strongest segment, with sales totaling $3.5 billion—a 20.8% increase from 2024. Sales above $10 million rose 36.1% to $2.3 billion, boosted by high-priced masterpieces at New York's November auctions. The $100,000-to-$1 million bracket saw $3.2 billion in sales, up 6%. Meanwhile, works under $10,000 and in the $10,000-to-$100,000 range grew less than 1%, indicating cautious buyer behavior.

Seen a ghost? The eeriest images from Fotografia Europea – in pictures

Fotografia Europea, the international photography festival in Reggio Emilia, Italy, has opened with 20 exhibitions and related events under the theme 'ghosts of the moment'. The festival features works by artists including Tania Franco Klein, Giulia Vanelli, Felipe Romero Beltrán, and Salvatore Vitale, exploring themes of memory, migration, identity, and the unseen forces shaping contemporary life. The festival runs until 14 June 2026.

Texas Man Who Orchestrated $20 M. Crypto Scam Based on Fictitious Van Gogh and Picasso Masterpieces Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison

A Houston man, Robert Dunlap, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $20 million cryptocurrency scam. Between 2018 and 2023, Dunlap defrauded nearly 1,000 investors by promoting a digital asset called “Meta-1 Coin,” falsely claiming it was backed by a $1 billion art collection featuring works by Salvador Dalí, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso, as well as $44 billion in gold. He used forged legal and insurance documents to conceal that he owned neither the art nor the gold. A federal jury in the Northern District of Illinois convicted him on mail fraud charges in 2025, and US District Judge LaShonda A. Hunt imposed the sentence, also ordering restitution.

Inside the Inaugural Edition of Art Cologne Palma Mallorca

The inaugural edition of Art Cologne Palma Mallorca took place from April 9–12, 2026, attracting 88 galleries from 20 countries and over 10,000 visitors to the Mediterranean island. The fair, held at the Palau de Congressos Convention Centre, reported strong sales and sold-out weekend days, with Artistic Director Daniel Hug praising the high level of engagement and positive response from both exhibitors and attendees. A second edition has already been scheduled for April 1–4, 2027.

Pittsburgh Shows Off New Public Art Projects in Advance of NFL Draft

Pittsburgh has unveiled over 35 new public art installations across its downtown area in preparation for the influx of visitors for the NFL Draft. The projects, funded by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, include light installations, murals, and window displays by local artists, designed to revitalize empty storefronts and underused blocks.

New Bienal de Yucatán to spotlight Mexican region’s growing art scene

The city of Mérida is set to host the inaugural Bienal de Yucatán from November 2026 to February 2027, marking a significant milestone for the region's burgeoning contemporary art scene. Spearheaded by patron and curator Catherine Petitgas with artist Abraham Cruzvillegas serving as artistic director, the biennial aims to provide a formal platform for the city's dense ecosystem of over 40 galleries, international artist studios, and the Universidad de las Artes de Yucatán (UNAY). The announcement follows the successful debut of the Week of Art Yucatán (WAY), a multi-venue festival that showcased the city's unique blend of repurposed industrial spaces and traditional haciendas.

New York’s Newest Triennial Lines Up 39 Artists for Star-Studded First Edition Along the Erie Canal

The Medina Triennial has announced the artist lineup for its inaugural edition, set to open on June 6 in the Western New York village of Medina. Curated by co-artistic directors Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo, the exhibition features 39 international and local artists, including Venice Biennale winner Lina Lapelytė, Taysir Batniji, and Tania Candiani. The event is centered around the Erie Canal and explores the theme "All That Sustains Us," focusing on ecology, sustainability, and community exchange.

Pete Davidson’s Pop-Filled Art Collection Revealed in Westchester Home Listing

Actor and comedian Pete Davidson has listed his Westchester County home for $2.2 million, revealing a vibrant art collection rooted in pop culture and nostalgia. The 2,300-square-foot residence features a diverse array of works ranging from Peter Max prints and Al Hirschfeld caricatures to contemporary design pieces like the Gufram x Paul Smith 'Sunset Cactus.' The interior reflects Davidson's 'man cave' aesthetic, blending high-end collectibles with whimsical references to television, film, and his native Staten Island.

fine art auction sales 2025

Global fine-art auction sales reached $11.7 billion in 2025, marking a 13.3 percent increase over the previous year and the first market growth since 2021. While the first half of the year was hampered by inflation and geopolitical tensions, a surge in the second half—particularly during New York’s November marquee sales—pushed the market upward. This recovery was led by a renewed appetite for "trophy works," highlighted by the record-breaking $236.4 million sale of Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer at Sotheby’s.

This ‘Star Wars’ C-3PO Head Just Netted $1 Million at Auction

An original C-3PO head prop from the 1980 film *The Empire Strikes Back* sold for $1 million at a Propstore auction in Los Angeles. The piece, the only original head remaining on the collector's market, features functional lighting eyes and was created from molds of actor Anthony Daniels. It exceeded its high estimate of $700,000.

The Rising Artists on Everyone’s Radar

The article profiles seven artists whose works have recently achieved significant auction results, often far exceeding their pre-sale estimates. Nathanaëlle Herbelin, Poppy Jones, Kathleen Ryan, Eva Helene Pade, Georg Wilson, and Ding Shilun are highlighted as contemporary artists with strong market momentum, while the poster artist A.M. Cassandre is noted for a historic sale.

Christie’s Turns Pop Culture Into a Stadium Event With $94.5 M. Jim Irsay Sale

Christie's auction house achieved a record-breaking $94.5 million sale of the Jim Irsay Collection, a trove of pop culture memorabilia. The four-sale series set 28 world records, with every lot selling for a cumulative total nearly four times its low estimate. Top lots included David Gilmour's "Black Strat" guitar ($14.55M), Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road' typescript scroll ($12.1M), and Jerry Garcia's "Tiger" guitar ($11.56M).

ant dec banksy secret profits court order

British television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have obtained a High Court order to investigate potential financial misconduct involving their contemporary art collection. The duo is seeking disclosure from art dealer Andrew Lilley regarding transactions for several Banksy prints, alleging that an unnamed intermediary may have pocketed undisclosed profits. The court found a "good arguable case" of wrongdoing after a discrepancy of approximately $335,000 was discovered between what the presenters paid and what the dealer reportedly received.

Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems Among Latest Artists Commissioned for Obama Presidential Center

mark bradford carrie may weem latest artists commissioned obama presidential center

The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago has announced its latest cohort of commissioned artists, featuring high-profile names such as Mark Bradford and Carrie Mae Weems alongside local Chicago talents like Tyanna J. Buie and the duo Sam Kirk + Dorian Sylvain. These site-specific installations will be integrated across the center's 19-acre campus, including a three-story atrium collage by Bradford and a jazz-inflected photo mural by Weems. The project, which has already engaged over two dozen artists including Maya Lin and Julie Mehretu, is overseen by art program leaders Louise Bernard and Virginia Shore with direct input from the Obamas.

frank frazetta captive princess propstore

Frank Frazetta’s 1973 painting 'Captive Princess,' originally created as cover art for Edgar Rice Burroughs’s novel 'The People That Time Forgot,' is heading to auction at Propstore with a high estimate of $1 million. The work, which depicts a dramatic abduction scene involving prehistoric figures, leads a major sale of entertainment memorabilia that includes iconic film props like a 'Jaws' harpoon gun and a C-3PO head.

political bribery investigation south korea lee ufan

A South Korean court acquitted former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min of violating anti-graft laws by allegedly purchasing a painting attributed to artist Lee Ufan and gifting it to Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, in exchange for political favors. The court found the prosecution's evidence insufficient to prove the painting was purchased or delivered as a bribe, citing a lack of documentation and the questionable credibility of a key witness.

warhol foundation grant program expansion small nonprofits

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts is launching a new grant program to support U.S.-based visual arts nonprofits with budgets under $200,000, offering awards between $20,000 and $30,000. The program will begin accepting applications for its Spring 2026 grant cycle, with a deadline of March 1. This marks a significant expansion of the foundation's previous focus, which had been on organizations with budgets of $300,000 or more.

frank lloyd wright house sale fake listing

A fake listing on Zillow claimed that Frank Lloyd Wright's Walser House in Chicago was for sale for $350,000, prompting widespread attention. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy investigated and confirmed the listing was fraudulent, warning it may have been an attempt to defraud potential buyers. The 123-year-old house, which is uninhabitable and requires at least $2 million in restoration, is actually owned by Fannie Mae after a foreclosure and is not currently on the market.

chanel culture fund names winners of its 2026 chanel next prize with each artist bagging e100 k

The Chanel Culture Fund has announced the 10 recipients of its 2026 Chanel Next Prize, each receiving €100,000 ($117,400). The winners, announced on January 19 in London, include visual artist Álvaro Urbano, jazz musician Ambrose Akinmusire, fashion designer Andrea Peña, artist and filmmaker Ayoung Kim, fashion designer and artist Bárbara Sánchez-Kane, sound artist Emeka Ogboh, choreographer Marco da Silva Ferreira, experimental musician Pan Daijing, filmmaker Payal Kapadia, and painter Pol Taburet. The biennial prize, now in its third edition, also includes a two-year mentorship program in collaboration with Chanel’s cultural partners, such as London’s Royal College of Art.

art market minute jan 12

Artnet's Price Database reveals signs of recovery at the top end of the art market in 2025, following three years of contraction. The article highlights gains in high-value sales, exemplified by Gustav Klimt's "Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer" pictured at Sotheby's Marquee Sales Series in New York. It also notes a growing trend of small and emerging galleries working with artists' estates, and reports that roughly half of art-backed loans by non-bank businesses defaulted in 2024.