sothebys spring modern contemporary evening sale london result

Sotheby’s London achieved a rare "white-glove" result during its spring modern and contemporary evening sale, with every lot finding a buyer. The auction totaled £131 million ($175 million), representing a 110 percent increase over the previous year's equivalent sale. High-profile successes included a record-breaking £5.2 million sale for Leon Kossoff’s "Children’s Swimming Pool" and strong performances for works by Andy Warhol and Josef Albers, largely driven by prestigious consignments like the Lewis Collection.

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.

Roni Horn Returns to London with Seizure of Hope at Hauser & Wirth

Roni Horn returns to London for her first solo exhibition in a decade, titled *Seizure of Hope*, at Hauser & Wirth. The show features over 45 works on paper centered on the repeated phrase "I am paralyzed with hope," drawn from a performance by comedian Maria Bamford, alongside a cast-glass sculpture *Untitled ("What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?")* (2022). The drawings explore language, repetition, and the instability of meaning, with words shifting between clarity and abstraction through wax crayon layering. A limited-edition artist book of the same title will be released by Hauser & Wirth Publishers.

Global Art Biennials: Renovation, Revelation—or Repetition?

The article examines the current state of global art biennials, arguing that recent controversies—such as the 2022 documenta antisemitism crisis and geopolitical tensions at the 61st Venice Biennale—reveal these exhibitions as deeply politicized platforms rather than neutral cultural events. It highlights how juries and curators have introduced geopolitical criteria, and cites ongoing debates in Artforum (April 2026) featuring voices like Daniel Birnbaum, Michelle Grabner, and Adam Szymczyk, who diagnose visible tensions but overlook deeper structural conditions.

You Can’t Drive It; You Can Only Look At It: A Conversation with Heidi Vaughan

Houston gallerist, secondary market art broker, and fine art appraiser Heidi Vaughan discusses her gallery Heidi Vaughan Fine Art (HVFA), the recent opening of McKay Otto's show 'GOLD,' and her multifaceted role in the art world. Vaughan represents established Houston artists like McKay Otto and Thedra Cullar-Ledford, as well as emerging painter Afi Lane, and offers services ranging from valuation and authentication to collection management and liquidation. She also hosts a radio show, 'The Houston Hour,' on 90.1 KPFT HD2, and is a prominent advocate for the arts in Houston.

Guggenheim New York Announces Spring and Summer Public Programs

The Guggenheim New York has announced its spring and summer 2026 public programs, featuring a range of events including a performance lecture by LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen on May 18, a conversation between artist Carol Bove and curator Katherine Brinson on June 2, and the annual Museum Mile Festival on June 9. Other highlights include Late Shift evening events with live music, family-friendly activities like Stroller Hour and Art Cart, Teen Circle and Teen Tuesdays, and a screening of Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's video work "Zidane, a 21st century portrait" in celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poet-in-Residence Patrick Rosal will also launch summer activations.

Basquiat’s 'Museum Security' leads Sotheby’s New York contemporary evening sale at US$52.7m

Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1983 painting 'Museum Security (Broadway Meltdown)' sold for US$52.7 million at Sotheby's Now and Contemporary Evening Auction in New York, becoming the fifth-most expensive Basquiat ever auctioned. The work, estimated at over US$45 million and backed by an irrevocable bid, hammered at US$45.3 million to a telephone bidder represented by Sotheby's Lucius Elliott. The auction totaled US$266.8 million with fees, selling 40 of 44 lots, and combined with the preceding Robert Mnuchin collection sale—led by Mark Rothko's 'Brown and Blacks in Reds' at US$85.8 million—the evening brought in US$433.1 million.

Theatre, production, performance: fashion invests in art

Fashion houses like Chanel are increasingly investing in contemporary art, not merely as inspiration for prints or patterns but as a strategic tool for brand positioning and cultural credibility. Gallery owner Tristan Paprocki, who recently opened a Milan space with partner Guido Romero Pierini, notes that brands now seek out emerging artists to demonstrate foresight and support new talent. Chanel has collaborated with Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof museum for large-scale installations by artists such as Klára Hosnedlová and Lina Lapelytė, and has announced ten artists for the third edition of its Next Prize 2026, including Bárbara Sánchez-Kane, Pan Daijing, and Álvaro Urbano. These artists work across fashion, sculpture, and performance, blurring the lines between clothing and contemporary art.

Venice’s top museum brings in 80-year-old performance artist as St. Mark’s Square hosts Lee Ufan exhibition

Gallerie dell'Accademia, one of Venice’s most historic museums, is hosting "Energy in Transition," a major retrospective marking performance artist Marina Abramović’s 80th birthday. The exhibition features iconic works such as "The Lovers: The Great Wall Walk" (1988) and "Balkan Baroque" (1997), for which she became the first woman to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. Visitors can interact with installations involving crystals, meditation platforms, and energy brushes, transforming Abramović’s once-violent performances into a healing journey. Separately, St. Mark’s Square is hosting an exhibition by Korean artist Lee Ufan, featuring his sculpture "The Kiss."

Iris Van Herpen’s Groundbreaking Work Presented in New Exhibit at Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum opens "Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses," a mid-career retrospective of the Dutch fashion designer known for pioneering 3D-printed garments. The exhibition, which originated at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2023, features over a decade of van Herpen's work, including her first 3D-printed garment from 2010, pieces worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga, Björk, and Beyoncé, and new works such as an algae dress grown from 125 million living organisms. Organized by senior curator Matthew Yokobosky, the show spans eleven themes exploring van Herpen's fusion of traditional craftsmanship with technology, science, and nature.

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).

RocioSantaCruz : Ouka Leele : Barcelona 1978-1980

RocioSantaCruz gallery in Barcelona presents the exhibition "Ouka Leele : Barcelona 1978-1980," showcasing previously unseen photographs and texts by the late Spanish photographer Ouka Leele (Bárbara Allende Gil de Biedma). The show focuses on her formative years in Barcelona from 1978 to 1980, including her seminal series "Peluquería" and other works from that period, drawn from over 600 negatives and contact sheets studied by her daughter María Rosenfeldt, head of the Ouka Leele archive. The exhibition also features unpublished poems and texts from the magazine Ajoblanco, highlighting the artist's deep connection to the Catalan capital.

Raymond Pettibon, Chris Johanson | You're Not Worth Much (Hand Signed by Raymond Pettib… (2017) | For Sale

This article is a sales listing for a collaborative artwork by Raymond Pettibon and Chris Johanson, titled "You're Not Worth Much" (2017), hand-signed by Pettibon. The listing includes a biography of Pettibon, detailing his career, exhibitions, and gallery representation by David Zwirner, as well as his influences and major museum shows.

Everything You Need to Know About LACMA’s New David Geffen Galleries

LACMA has opened its new David Geffen Galleries, a single-story building spanning Wilshire Boulevard that houses the museum's permanent collection spanning 6,000 years of art. The galleries feature a revolutionary curatorial approach organized around bodies of water—Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian, and Pacific—creating nonhierarchical displays that mix works across time and geography, such as 17th-century Dutch paintings alongside 20th-century photography. The building also includes 3.5 acres of shaded public space below, outdoor sculptures by artists like Alexander Calder and Jeff Koons, and a 220,000-square-foot pavement artwork by Mariana Castillo Deball.

The Art Diary May 2026 – Revd Jonathan Evens

The article titled "The Art Diary May 2026 – Revd Jonathan Evens" appears to be a diary or column by Revd Jonathan Evens, published on Artlyst, covering art-related events, reflections, or commentary for May 2026. The specific content is not provided in the snippet, but the format suggests a curated overview of exhibitions, cultural happenings, or personal observations from the author's perspective.

How Detroit’s Art Scene Is Ushering in a New Chapter for the City

Detroit's art scene is experiencing a resurgence, marked by the reopening of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) after an eight-month renovation. The museum, now renamed the Julia Reyes Taubman Building, unveiled four new exhibitions, including a career survey of local artist Olayami Dabls titled "Olayami Dabls: Detroit Cosmologies," his first solo museum show in over 40 years. The reopening follows a 2020 reckoning over toxic workplace allegations, leading to the appointment of co-directors Jova Lynne and Marie Madison-Patton, who have refocused the institution on accessibility, civic engagement, and local contemporary art.

Ready, Set, Go: Ten Spring Exhibitions Opening or Closing Within Six Weeks

Boston Art Review (BAR) has published a guide titled "Ready, Set, Go: Ten Spring Exhibitions Opening or Closing Within Six Weeks," highlighting a curated selection of ten spring exhibitions in the Boston area and beyond. The article provides a concise overview of each show, including opening and closing dates, venues, and featured artists, aimed at helping readers plan their art-viewing schedules during a compressed six-week window.

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.

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.

Senga Nengudi: Performance Works 1972-1982

Whitechapel Gallery in London is presenting "Senga Nengudi: Performance Works 1972-1982," an archival exhibition featuring photographic works, archival materials, and films that focus on a pivotal decade in the pioneering African-American artist's career. The show highlights Nengudi's early performance pieces, including her "spirit flags" and works incorporating hosiery and her body, created in collaboration with artists like David Hammons and Maren Hassinger.

K-POP, FUNGI, AND TERRACE RAVES: Art Basel Hong Kong 2026

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 commenced against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tension, yet the city's local scene demonstrated remarkable resilience. The week was characterized by a surge of grassroots activity, including the debut of three alternative art fairs and the opening of several new gallery outposts. Key highlights included the launch of GOLD, a cross-disciplinary salon in Wong Chuk Hang, and the expansion of Shanghai’s Antenna Space into the city, signaling a shift toward more flexible, community-oriented art spaces.

Brilliant Things to Do This April

April 2026 marks a significant month for global art exhibitions, featuring major retrospectives and site-specific installations across Rome, Seoul, London, and Paris. Highlights include Gagosian Rome’s exploration of Francesca Woodman’s surrealist photography, a homecoming retrospective for video-art pioneer Nam June Paik in Seoul, and Senga Nengudi’s performance-based sculptures at London’s Whitechapel Gallery. Additionally, Isaac Julien will debut a new moving-image work at The Cosmic House, while the Fondation Louis Vuitton prepares a large-scale exhibition dedicated to Alexander Calder’s kinetic sculptures.

Ruth Asawa: Retrospective

A major retrospective of the Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa is touring internationally, organized through a partnership between SFMOMA and MoMA. The exhibition spans six decades of her career, featuring her iconic suspended looped-wire sculptures alongside tied-wire pieces, bronze casts, drawings, and archival materials. The show traces her journey from her formative years at Black Mountain College to her influential role as an arts advocate and educator in San Francisco.

10 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This March

Los Angeles enters the month of March with a diverse array of exhibitions following the intensity of its major art fair week. Highlights include Hayv Kahraman’s mystical paintings at Vielmetter, which process the trauma of displacement and environmental loss, and a survey of the late muralist Noni Olabisi at Loyola Marymount University’s Laband Art Gallery. Other notable shows feature Jesse Wiedel’s expressionistic Americana at Serious Topics and Lauren Quin’s formalist abstractions at Pace Los Angeles.

‘My paintings are always really kitchen sink, everything’s thrown into them’: Christina Quarles on her new solo show in Los Angeles

Artist Christina Quarles has launched her first solo exhibition with Hauser & Wirth in Los Angeles, titled "The Ground Glows Black." The new body of work features her signature fluid, elastic depictions of bodies, but introduces a more "untethered" and monochromatic aesthetic influenced by recent personal trauma. The paintings and works on paper were created in the aftermath of the Eaton fire, which destroyed the artist's home and community in Altadena.

12 must-see exhibitions in and around Los Angeles during Frieze

Los Angeles is hosting a series of major exhibitions to coincide with the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, highlighting both historical activism and contemporary social critiques. Key shows include Judith F. Baca’s exploration of her iconic 'Great Wall of Los Angeles' mural at Jeffrey Deitch, a massive survey of time-based media from the Julia Stoschek Foundation at the Variety Arts Theater, and a collaborative project between MOCA and The Brick titled 'Monuments' that recontextualizes removed Confederate statues through the lens of contemporary Black artists.

Michael Joo: Sweat Models 1991–2026

Space ZeroOne in New York will present "Michael Joo: Sweat Models 1991–2026," a solo exhibition of early and newly realized works by Korean American multimedia artist Michael Joo, organized by guest curator Christopher Y. Lew. The show focuses on Joo's 1990s works, which engaged with issues like the AIDS crisis and information technology, and will feature a newly realized large-scale installation, *Concatenations*, first conceived in 1990.

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.

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.

Six London Art Exhibitions Opening In February 2026

Six major art exhibitions are opening in London public galleries in February 2026, running through at least May. Highlights include Lucian Freud: Drawing Into Painting at the National Portrait Gallery (12 Feb–4 May), Seurat and the Sea at The Courtauld Gallery (13 Feb–17 May), Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life at the Hayward Gallery (17 Feb–3 May), Beatriz González at the Barbican Art Gallery (25 Feb–10 May), and Tracey Emin at Tate Modern (26 Feb–31 Aug). These shows span modern masters, contemporary installation, and international voices.