isaiah zagar artist philadelphia magic gardens died 86

Isaiah Zagar, the visionary mosaic artist behind the landmark Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, died on February 19 at age 86 due to complications from heart failure and Parkinson’s Disease. A Pratt Institute graduate and former Peace Corps volunteer, Zagar transformed Philadelphia’s South Street neighborhood over five decades, creating more than 200 public murals and a sprawling, immersive environment of tunnels and grottos made from glass, tile, and found objects.

anne claire legendre institut du arabe monde

Anne-Claire Legendre, a senior French diplomat and advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, has been selected to lead the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. Her appointment follows the abrupt resignation of former director Jack Lang and, if confirmed, will make her the first woman to head the institution in its 40-year history.

jack lang resigns institut de monde arabe jeffrey epstein

Jack Lang, the former French culture minister and president of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, resigned from his position. His resignation came after his name, and that of his daughter Caroline Lang, appeared in newly released court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into the pair for alleged tax fraud and money laundering, leading to intense political pressure and Lang's decision to step down.

adelaide labille guiard self portrait versailles

A previously unaccounted-for self-portrait by 18th-century French artist Adélaïde Labille-Guiard sold at Tajan auction house in Paris for €843,800 ($988,785), far exceeding its estimate of €300,000–€500,000. After the hammer fell, a representative of the Palace of Versailles invoked France's droit de préemption law to claim the 1782 pastel work for the national collection, preventing its private sale.

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.

cambridge university looted benin bronze

Cambridge University has removed a Benin bronze statue of a cockerel, known as an “okukor,” from display at Jesus College after students campaigned for its removal. The bronze was looted by British colonizers from what is now Nigeria in the 19th century, and students voted for the artwork to be returned to Nigeria. The college is now considering repatriation and has permanently removed the statue from its dining hall, with students proposing that a new commissioned piece replace it.

adam eve nude restored fitzwilliam

An illuminated manuscript from 1505, *The Primer of Claude of France*, has had its original nude depictions of Adam and Eve digitally restored after a former owner crudely painted clothing over them. The restoration was achieved using an algorithm developed by Cambridge University's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, which stripped away the overpaint without damaging the original page. The manuscript is currently on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, as part of the exhibition “Colour: The Art and Science of Illuminated Manuscripts.”

parties new museum gala 2026 debbie harry

On Monday evening, the New Museum held its 2026 gala at Cipriani South Street, honoring outgoing Director Lisa Phillips, who led the institution for over three decades. The event featured a performance by Blondie's Debbie Harry, a live auction with works by Jack Pierson, Billy Sullivan, Rashid Johnson, and Cindy Sherman, and remarks from John Waters, Maya Lin, and Whitney Museum director Adam Weinberg. Notable attendees included artists Hank Willis Thomas, Derrick Adams, Marilyn Minter, and Anne Imhof, as well as arts leaders Thelma Golden, Yvonne Force Villareal, and Noah Horowitz.

art artists and mothers nonprofit organization

Since 2024, the nonprofit organization Artists & Mothers has been addressing a critical gap in the art world by offering grants for nine months of childcare to New York-based artists with children under three. The organization was founded by Julia Trotta and Maria De Victoria, with board members including Camille Henrot, Bridget Donahue, Maia Ruth Lee, Sarah Goulet, and Elizabeth Karp-Evans. In a Q&A format, the group discusses their motivations, influences, and hopes for a more equitable art world, highlighting works such as Lea Lublin's 1968 performance "Mon fils" and anticipating Ei Arakawa-Nash's Japanese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

art humberto moro dia foundation interview

Humberto Moro, deputy director of program at the Dia Art Foundation, discusses his role in expanding the institution's focus to include Latin American artists such as Liliana Porter, Delcy Morelos, and David Lamelas, whose major survey he curated. The interview, published by Cultured, covers Moro's career path from his early painting pursuits to positions at Museo Tamayo, Museo Jumex, SCAD's Museum of Art, and the Park Avenue Armory, and his current work at Dia alongside director Jessica Morgan. Moro also shares his personal interests in science fiction and literature, citing authors Ted Chiang, Cixin Liu, and Mariana Enriquez.

art beatriz milhazes exhibition cartier aquarium

Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes created a suspended sculpture titled "Aquarium" in collaboration with Cartier's Artist meets Artisan project, using unused precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, Akoya pearls, and black jade. The work, first realized in 2010, translates her signature colorful, rhythmic painting motifs into a three-dimensional mobile that shimmers like a school of fish. It will be installed at Cartier's Boston boutique on Newbury Street on March 25. The article includes an interview with Milhazes discussing the inception, materiality, and evolution of her sculptural practice.

art robert crumb george dicaprio david zwirner

Robert Crumb and George DiCaprio, two figures from the 1970s underground comics scene, reunite for a conversation moderated by cartoonist Sammy Harkham on the rooftop of David Zwirner in Los Angeles. The discussion, published in Cultured, traces their serendipitous meeting in New York—DiCaprio offered his illegal loft to Crumb's band—and DiCaprio's subsequent move to Los Angeles after Crumb recommended him for an animation job on Ralph Bakshi's film *Heavy Traffic*. The interview coincides with the release of Crumb's first solo comic in 23 years, *Tales of Paranoia* (2025), published by Fantagraphics, and an exhibition of his new drawings and prints at David Zwirner, on view through January 10. Topics range from conspiracy theories and the economics of comics to DiCaprio's collection of underground art, including a letter from cartoonist Vaughn Bode to his unborn son Leonardo DiCaprio.

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David and Sybil Yurman, the couple behind the iconic David Yurman jewelry empire, reflect on their origins as artists in New York in a new book, *Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers*, published last month. The book draws from their personal archive of paintings, sculptures, photos, and jewelry, tracing their journey from working under sculptor Jacques Lipchitz and ceramicist Shōji Hamada to building a global brand. In an interview with CULTURED, the Yurmans share stories of their first date, Sybil's early career as a ceramicist and painter, and how their partnership evolved from art to jewelry.

art fashion luc tuymans yohji yamamoto

Luc Tuymans and Yohji Yamamoto, two towering figures in visual art and fashion, sat for a rare conversation in Paris moderated by critic Donatien Grau. The dialogue, initiated by CULTURED magazine, took place after Yamamoto's Fall/Winter 2025–26 menswear show, which Tuymans and his wife, artist Carla Arocha, attended. The discussion explored their shared experiences of anger rooted in wartime trauma—Yamamoto's father died in WWII, and Tuymans grew up amid familial conflict over wartime allegiances—and how they transform that anger into creative brilliance.

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Psychoanalyst Jamieson Webster launches a new column for CULTURED titled "Neurotica," exploring the intersection of psychoanalysis, technology, and sexuality. In the debut installment, she interviews artist and theorist Mindy Seu about her work "A SEXUAL HISTORY OF THE INTERNET," which traces how sex workers were integral to developing digital platforms like chat rooms, e-commerce, and webcams, only to have their innovations co-opted by Big Tech. Webster reflects on how AI, chatbots, and online intimacy are reshaping human desire, pleasure, and relationships, drawing on Freud's pleasure-principle and contemporary anxieties about AI psychosis and digital dependency.

art daisy parris frieze london interview

Daisy Parris, a 32-year-old painter once dubbed an "IBA" (Instagram British Artist) by Elle magazine, is navigating post-pandemic art market success by pursuing experimental textile work. Their painting sold for $254,000 at Phillips in September 2024, eight times its estimate. To coincide with Frieze London, Parris debuts "Kiss the Storm," a 16-foot-wide hand-knotted wool textile created with Textorial, an initiative by Artwise Curators, on view at the Royal College of Physicians from October 14–16. The piece incorporates painted canvas scraps and embroidered text, reflecting Parris's shift toward medium experimentation alongside their signature large-scale canvases.

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Daniel Humm, the chef behind Eleven Madison Park, has curated a selection of artworks for Sotheby's Contemporary Curated sale, drawing parallels between composing a meal and assembling an exhibition. In an interview with CULTURED, Humm discusses his approach, which was influenced by a transformative encounter with Claude Monet's Water Lilies at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, and his selections include works by Roni Horn, Alex Katz, Keith Haring, and Sarah Crowner.

art james frey author art collection

James Frey, the controversial author of "A Million Little Pieces" and "Bright Shiny Morning," opens his home in Pound Ridge, New York, to discuss his personal art collection. The collection includes works by Rashid Johnson, Robert Colescott, Nate Lowman, Richard Prince, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Auguste Rodin, among others. Frey describes his art-buying philosophy as driven by emotion rather than market trends, and recounts purchasing his first pieces—a Picasso drawing and a Matisse drawing—for cash in 1994.

Marian Goodman’s personal collection of Gerhard Richters

Christie's will auction seven paintings by Gerhard Richter from the personal collection of legendary gallerist Marian Goodman in May 2026, headlining a series of sales titled "Breaking Ground: The Private Collection of Marian Goodman." The group includes the iconic 1982 work *Kerze (Candle)*, estimated at $35–50 million, and spans Richter's career from 1982 to 2009. Goodman, who died in 2024, began representing Richter in 1985 after writing him a letter, and her collection reflects their decades-long professional and personal relationship.

Art Around Town

A comprehensive listing of current and upcoming visual art exhibitions, events, and installations in Athens, Georgia, is provided. The guide includes shows at venues ranging from the Georgia Museum of Art and the Lamar Dodd School of Art galleries to local breweries, coffee shops, and community centers. Featured exhibitions highlight work by students, local members, and established artists like Beverly Buchanan and Julie Green, alongside new murals and public art projects.

Emmanuel Perrotin, the Parisian gallery owner who conquered the world

Emmanuel Perrotin, the founder of the global Perrotin gallery network, reflects on a career defined by disruption and the democratization of contemporary art. From his early days as an outsider without industry connections to managing 160 employees across four continents, Perrotin has utilized high-profile stunts—such as Maurizio Cattelan’s $120,000 taped banana—and celebrity collaborations with figures like Pharrell Williams to build a powerhouse brand. His current focus involves institutionalizing his internal operations through digital tools and employee tutorials to maintain the gallery's momentum.

Stephan Balkenhol New Bronze Sculptures 2026 - Man in a White

German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol has unveiled two new hand-painted bronze editions, "Man in a White Shirt and Black Pants 2026" and "Venus 2026." Released in editions of 30 and standing 68 cm tall, the works are being showcased and sold through Frank Fluegel Galerie across its Nuremberg and Kitzbühel locations. The release coincides with the artist's participation in the Art Cologne Palma de Mallorca Fair and precedes his 70th birthday in 2027.

Lévy Gorvy Dayan Recreates the Dazzle of 1980s New York

Lévy Gorvy Dayan has opened "Downtown/Uptown: New York in the Eighties," a sweeping survey staged at its Beaux-Arts townhouse on East 64th Street. Organized in collaboration with legendary dealer Mary Boone, the exhibition brings together a stellar roster of artists whose careers defined the decade, including neo-expressionists like Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Julian Schnabel, as well as appropriation and conceptual artists such as Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons. The show explores the era's dual currents—raw painterly energy versus critical media interrogation—while acknowledging the AIDS epidemic, Reagan-era excess, and the rise of the art star. Immersive staging, a custom disco soundtrack, and works spanning multiple floors evoke the decade's theatricality and volatility.

The Best Art Exhibitions To Visit In Hong Kong This July

This article highlights three must-see art exhibitions in Hong Kong for July 2025. At Alisan Fine Arts, local artist Cherie Cheuk presents her first solo show, 'A Wrinkle In Time,' blending traditional Chinese ink painting with pop culture motifs like Super Mario and Pac-Man. At Villepin, 'Worlds Within' unites works by four migrant-influenced artists, including a debut Hong Kong showcase for Spanish-Filipino modernist Fernando Zóbel and a record-breaking painting by Lê Phổ. Ben Brown Fine Arts hosts 'Wish You Were Here,' a group show curated by Jie Xia featuring artists such as Gerhard Richter and Hilary Pecis, exploring themes of travel, paradise, and nostalgia.

An Iranian museum holds a rare exhibit of American art, reflecting on war

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a rare exhibition of American art, featuring works from its collection that were acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The show includes pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko, and is presented as a reflection on the complex history of U.S.-Iran relations, including themes of war and cultural exchange.

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.

The Delicate Bouquet of Roses and Peonies by Redouté and Thilo Westermann at Malmaison

Le délicat bouquet de roses et de pivoines de Redouté et de Thilo Westermann à Malmaison

An exhibition titled "Roses & Pivoines" has opened at the Château de Bois-Préau in Malmaison, France, pairing the 19th-century botanical watercolors of Pierre-Joseph Redouté with contemporary glass-painting works by German artist Thilo Westermann. Redouté, famous for his meticulous rose and peony illustrations commissioned by Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, is shown alongside Westermann's pointillist technique on glass, which he developed from 2014 onward. The show also includes works by Jan-Frans van Dael and Cornelis van Spaendonck, plus scent stations for visitors to smell rose essences.

First Indigenous Representative of Peru at the Venice Biennale, Sara Flores Opens the Doors of Her Studio in the Heart of the Amazon

Première représentante autochtone du Pérou à la Biennale de Venise, Sara Flores ouvre les portes de son atelier au cœur de l’Amazonie

Sara Flores, a 76-year-old artist from the Shipibo-Konibo Indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon, has been selected as the first Indigenous artist to represent Peru at the Venice Biennale. In her open-air studio deep in the rainforest, she creates large-scale geometric compositions in the kené ("true drawing") tradition, using natural dyes from local plants. She is also co-founder of the Bakish Mai Multiversity, an educational institution dedicated to Indigenous knowledge and artist residencies, alongside Matteo Norzi, one of the two curators of the Peruvian pavilion. The article offers an intimate portrait of her life, her matriarchal family, and her creative process.

Alice Riehl Grows a Porcelain Tree Full of Humanity in Jouy-en-Josas

Alice Riehl fait pousser un arbre de porcelaine plein d’humanité à Jouy-en-Josas

Artist Alice Riehl has unveiled a major porcelain installation titled "Herbarium Interior" at the Musée de la Toile de Jouy in Jouy-en-Josas. The work, a sprawling tree with leaves, branches, and roots, is crafted from porcelain and was inspired by the museum's historical textile collections. The installation is part of a solo exhibition, and a concurrent presentation of her work, "Porcelain Florilegium," is on view at New York's Museum of Arts and Design.

Artist Bouke de Vries creates sculptural porcelain bottles for Dries Van Noten perfume

Artist Bouke de Vries has created five unique sculptural porcelain bottles for Dries Van Noten's unisex perfume Soie Malaquais, which launched in 2022. The bottles, priced at £6,000 each, are sold at the designer's London and New York stores, with a limited-edition series also available online. De Vries, known for reassembling broken china fragments into dynamic objects, designed the bottles to reflect the fragrance's warm notes of chestnut, rose, blackcurrant, and cardamom, developed by perfumer Marie Salamagne.