whitney houston biennial

Curator and artist Christine “C.” Finley has launched the second edition of the Whitney Houston Biennial, an all-female contemporary art survey titled “Greatest Love of All.” Hosted at a chashama space in Manhattan, the exhibition features 125 women artists in a salon-style presentation. The show serves as a scrappy, inclusive alternative to the Whitney Museum’s official biennial, emphasizing female legacy by requiring each participant to submit a text honoring a woman who paved the way for them.

hudson shaoxia zhangus golf foundation

Chinese American artist Hudson Shaoxia Zhang has been named the inaugural recipient of the U.S. Golf Art Foundation Fellowship Award, a distinction recognizing his prolific career dedicated to the intersection of sport and landscape painting. Zhang, a former art historian who authored over 40 books before returning to a dedicated studio practice, has produced more than a thousand paintings of golf courses. His work has gained significant international traction recently, with four solo exhibitions across Europe in 2024 and a major museum retrospective at the Art Museum of Nanjing University of the Arts in 2023.

keisha scarville brooklyn museum uovo prize

Brooklyn-based photographer Keisha Scarville has been named the 2026 winner of the Brooklyn Museum’s Uovo Prize. The award includes a $25,000 cash prize, a solo exhibition at the museum, and a public art commission featured on the facade of Uovo’s Bushwick facility. Her upcoming presentation, titled "Where Salt Meets Black Water," will debut in May 2026 and features vinyl reproductions from her "Mama’s Clothes" series, which explores Guyanese heritage and maternal legacy through textiles.

venice biennale russia pavilion eu funding

The European Union has threatened to withdraw a €2 million grant from the Venice Biennale following Russia's decision to return to the international exhibition for its 61st edition. The EU Commission warned that providing a platform for a Russian national pavilion risks legitimizing figures connected to the Kremlin and violating sanctions, while Biennale organizers have defended the move as a commitment to artistic freedom and a rejection of censorship.

Two Renoir exhibitions at Musée d’Orsay explore the joy of human connection

Two Renoir exhibitions at Musée d’Orsay explore the joy of human connection

The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is opening two concurrent exhibitions dedicated to Pierre-Auguste Renoir, titled 'Renoir and Love: A Joyful Modernity (1865-85)' and 'Renoir Drawings'. The shows focus on the first two decades of his career, featuring major works like 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' and rarely seen pieces from private collections, such as 'Confidence'. The exhibitions will later travel to the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

laura phipps named director gochman family collection opening new exhibition space katonah fall 2026

Laura Phipps has been appointed as the director of the Gochman Family Collection, a significant private collection primarily focused on contemporary Indigenous art. Phipps joins the organization following a distinguished 15-year tenure at the Whitney Museum of American Art, where she most recently served as an associate curator. In her new role, she succeeds Zach Feuer and will oversee a collection of over 750 works while managing the development of a new 10,000-square-foot public-facing exhibition space in Katonah, New York.

the every woman biennial champions more than 200 artists heres a look inside

The fifth edition of the Every Woman Biennial, titled "I Will Always Love You," concludes its run at La MaMa Galleria in New York. Featuring over 200 female and non-binary artists, the salon-style exhibition showcases a diverse range of media including neon sculpture, textiles, and video, alongside a series of high-energy performances. Notable participants include Michele Pred, Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot, and Swoon, with the event maintaining its tradition of honoring the legacy of Whitney Houston while providing an inclusive platform for contemporary creators.

Auctioneer Surprisingly Released from Jail

auctioneer surprisingly released from jail

Herbert Schauer, the director of the Munich-based auction house Zisska & Schauer, has been released from custody in Naples following a judicial review. Schauer had recently been sentenced to five years in prison for his alleged role in a conspiracy to sell stolen antique books, including a rare first edition by Galileo Galilei, which were embezzled from the Biblioteca dei Girolamini in Italy.

It's Time to Give Annibale Carracci Some of Rembrandt's Spotlight

its time to give annibale carracci some of rembrandts spotlight

This article advocates for a critical re-evaluation of the Italian Baroque painter Annibale Carracci, arguing that his historical significance and artistic influence rival that of the more widely celebrated Rembrandt van Rijn. While Rembrandt has dominated recent museum headlines and auction records, the author highlights Carracci’s foundational role in establishing the Accademia degli Incamminati in Bologna, which revolutionized art education by prioritizing life drawing and elevating the social status of artists from mere craftsmen to intellectual creators.

met museum cy twombly retrospective

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is reportedly planning a major retrospective of the American artist Cy Twombly, scheduled for 2029. Evidence of the exhibition surfaced through a job posting for a researcher, which describes a comprehensive show featuring paintings, sculptures, and drawings that explore Twombly’s career across two continents and the influence of ancient myths and literature on his work. While the Met and the Cy Twombly Foundation have not yet officially confirmed the exhibition, the listing remains active on several professional platforms.

Venice Biennale Russia Pavilion Return Controversy

venice biennale russia pavilion return controversy

The Venice Biennale is facing intense backlash following the announcement that Russia will return with a national pavilion for the 2026 edition, marking its first official participation since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and various international activists have called for Russia's exclusion, arguing that the platform is being used to whitewash war crimes and exert political influence. In response, the Biennale leadership has maintained a policy of non-exclusion, stating that any country recognized by Italy has an autonomous right to participate.

lg oled kim whanki to frieze new york

LG OLED has partnered with the Whanki Foundation to present "We Meet Again In New York" at Frieze New York, featuring digital reinterpretations of works by the late Korean abstractionist Kim Whanki. The presentation utilizes high-definition screens to showcase five of Kim’s iconic "all-over dot" paintings, animated by contemporary Korean multimedia artists including Je Baak and Mano Ahn. This digital showcase coincides with a physical exhibition of Kim’s work at the Korean Cultural Center New York, marking the artist's first major posthumous return to the city where he spent his final decade.

Art Market Minute: March 9

art market minute mar 9

The Gulf region’s art market is navigating a period of significant instability as escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran threaten the upcoming Art Dubai fair. Long considered a safe haven for global culture and commerce, the United Arab Emirates now faces questions regarding its perceived insulation from regional conflict just weeks before its major international art event.

whitney biennial 2026 review

The 2026 Whitney Biennial marks a shift in contemporary art from literal messaging toward atmospheric 'mood.' This edition is characterized by an immersive aural landscape of drones and whispers, moving away from the overt identity politics of previous years in favor of a 'sincerity first' credo. Key works include Emilie Louise Gosslaux’s emotional tribute to her guide dog, Mo Costello’s community-focused binders, and Nour Mobarak’s intimate recordings of internal bodily sounds.

guggenheim union rally carol bove new contract

Unionized staff at the Guggenheim Museum staged a rally outside the institution during a VIP preview for artist Carol Bove, demanding a more robust second contract. Members of UAW Local 2110, including conservators, archivists, and educators, are protesting recent layoffs that cut 7% of the workforce and left remaining employees with unsustainable workloads. The union is currently negotiating for higher wages, lower healthcare benefit costs, and improved job security following a grievance filed against the museum in February 2025.

Patarei Prison Could Become Museum

paterei prison could become museum

Estonia’s Minister of Justice, Urmas Reinsalu, has proposed transforming the historic Patarei Prison in Tallinn into an international museum and research center dedicated to the crimes of communism. The sprawling 10-acre seaside complex, which served as a site of political incarceration under Soviet rule until 2002, remains largely unrestored, containing haunting remnants such as surgical tools and tattered bunk beds. The proposal has gained significant diplomatic traction, receiving formal support from representatives of eight EU member states during a recent meeting in the Estonian capital.

frank lloyd wright martin house collecting ourselves

The Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, a landmark of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School architecture, has launched a new exhibition titled “Collecting Ourselves.” The show highlights the museum's decades-long, painstaking effort to track down and repatriate the original furniture and decorative objects designed specifically for the site. While the structural restoration of the complex was completed in 2017, the task of reuniting Wright’s holistic interior vision—including his iconic Barrel chairs and intricate art glass—remains an ongoing archival and curatorial challenge.

Carmen Reviriego on Art Patronage in Spain and the Callia Foundation

carmen reviriego art patronage spain callia foundation

Carmen Reviriego, founder and president of the Callia Foundation, recently hosted the 11th edition of the International Patronage Awards at Madrid’s Royal Collections Gallery. The event honored significant figures in the art world, including ARTnews Top 200 collector Batia Ofer, while highlighting the foundation's broader mission of funding restorations and fostering collaboration between private donors and Spain’s public institutions. Reviriego, who transitioned from a career in finance to art philanthropy, utilizes a business-minded approach to advocate for a more balanced model of cultural funding in Spain.

buckminster fuller dome sculpture damaged blizzard

Buckminster Fuller’s iconic 'Fly’s Eye Dome' (1976) sculpture at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton has collapsed after a severe blizzard. The fiberglass structure, one of only five existing prototypes of its kind, buckled under the weight of heavy snow, leaving its custom-made modular components crumpled and in need of extensive restoration.

Tintoretto Genesis Cycle Restored

tintoretto genesis cycle restored

Four paintings from Tintoretto’s 16th-century “Stories from Genesis” cycle have been reunited in Venice for the first time in two centuries following an extensive restoration. The exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia features three works from the museum’s permanent collection alongside a crucial loan from the Uffizi Galleries, all of which underwent a year-long conservation process to remove centuries of darkened varnish and grime.

Trump Arts Impact 2025

trump arts impact

The Trump administration has initiated a sweeping overhaul of the American cultural landscape, marked by aggressive oversight of the Smithsonian Institution and the termination of numerous National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants. Key actions include the disbanding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the removal of leadership at the National Portrait Gallery, and the implementation of content audits to remove references to Trump's impeachments and information regarding slavery from federal sites. These moves are part of a broader effort to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and enforce 'American values' in cultural programming ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

2026 Art Trends: Whitney Biennial, Greater New York, and Carnegie International

2026 art trends

Three major American art surveys—the Whitney Biennial, MoMA PS1’s Greater New York, and the Carnegie International—are set to define the artistic landscape of 2026. Early analysis of the artist lists reveals a significant overlap in curatorial interest for figures like Taína Cruz, Akira Ikezoe, and Jonathan González. These exhibitions appear to be moving away from rigid thematic structures in favor of "mood and texture," reflecting a broader institutional retreat from definitive political or social statements.

New Museum MUZEU to Open in Braga, Portugal with José Teixeira Collection

muzeu dst braga portugal jose teixeira

The city of Braga, Portugal, is set to welcome a new contemporary art institution, MUZEU—Thought & Contemporary Art dst, scheduled to open on April 25. Founded by José Teixeira, chairman of the engineering firm dstgroup, the museum will house a permanent collection of 1,500 works featuring international heavyweights like Pablo Picasso, Anselm Kiefer, and Nan Goldin alongside prominent Portuguese artists such as Paula Rego and Julião Sarmento.

Sarah Alruwayti on Riyadh's Shift from Vision to Execution

sarah alruwayti on riyadhs shift from vision to execution interview

Sarah Alruwayti, director of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, discusses the evolution of Riyadh Art’s public art initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The symposium has grown from a local project into a global open-call forum, commissioning over 120 international sculptors to create permanent works using local materials like Saudi granite and reclaimed metal. The latest edition, themed "Traces of What Will Be," focuses on urban transformation and the historical context of Riyadh’s changing landscape.

art basel qatar first fair sales

Art Basel has launched its inaugural edition in Doha, Qatar, debuting a specialized format that emphasizes solo artist presentations and a slower, more meditative pace compared to its flagship fairs. The event features a curated selection of international galleries including Pace, Lisson, and Almine Rech, with a layout designed to foster deeper engagement and introduce regional collectors to the fair circuit.

iris cantor collector philanthropist dead met museum

Iris Cantor, the prolific art collector and philanthropist whose patronage transformed major American institutions, has died at the age of 95 in Palm Beach, Florida. Alongside her late husband, B. Gerald Cantor, she amassed one of the world's most significant private collections of Auguste Rodin sculptures, eventually donating hundreds of works to museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum. Her death marks the end of an era for a donor whose name is synonymous with some of the most prominent gallery spaces and wings in the United States.

saudi arabia scales back

Saudi Arabia is significantly scaling back its ambitious "Vision 2030" cultural and infrastructure spending due to falling oil prices and massive budget overruns. Major international projects, including a $200 million investment deal with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and funding for the Centre Pompidou’s refurbishment, are currently in limbo or facing payment delays. Reports of unpaid invoices to art service firms and the halting of "gigaprojects" like Neom suggest a period of financial retrenchment for the kingdom.

gulf art market

The Gulf region is rapidly transforming into a primary axis for the international art trade, marked by the upcoming debut of Art Basel Qatar and the rebranding of Abu Dhabi Art as a Frieze event. While state-led museum projects have long dominated headlines, a surge of commercial activity is now taking hold as blue-chip galleries like Pace and David Zwirner join local stalwarts. This expansion comes at a strategic time as traditional markets in the U.S., U.K., and China face contraction.

high vat rates art sales spain protest reina sofia

Hundreds of artists, gallery owners, and collectors staged coordinated sit-ins at major Spanish museums, including the Museo Reina Sofía, to protest the country's 21 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on art sales. Demonstrators gathered around Richard Serra’s 'Equal-Parallel/Guernica-Bengasi'—a replica of a work that famously vanished from storage—to symbolize the potential disappearance of the Spanish art sector under current fiscal pressures. The protests included demands for the resignation of the culture and finance ministers and calls for tax parity with European neighbors.

art basel flagship swiss fair exhibitor list 2026

Art Basel has unveiled the exhibitor list for its 2026 flagship Swiss edition, featuring 290 galleries from 43 countries. The fair, scheduled for June 18–21, will include 21 first-time participants and an expanded 'Premiere' sector for recent works. Notable shifts include four galleries debuting directly in the main sector and the introduction of public commissions by Nairy Baghramian and Ibrahim Mahama as part of the inaugural Art Basel Awards.