What’s on now at San Francisco museums, January 2026

A roundup of current and upcoming exhibitions at San Francisco museums in January 2026 highlights several shows closing soon, including "Manet and Morisot" at the Legion of Honor and "Suzanne Jackson: What is Love" at SFMOMA, both ending March 1. New exhibitions opening include "The art of Cece Carpio" at SOMArts on Jan. 30, and "Trina Michelle Robinson: Open Your Eyes to Water" at 500 Capp Street and Root Division in February. The de Young Museum features "Boom and Bust: Photographing Northern California" and artist Rose B. Simpson's show "LEXICON," part of the newly opened galleries dedicated to Arts of Indigenous America. The Museum of the African Diaspora presents "Unbound: Art, Blackness and the Universe" and "Continuum: MoAD Over Time," while the Asian Art Museum hosts "Jitish Kallat: Covering Letter (Terranum Nuncius)."

Fifteen Standout Exhibitions to Catch This Winter

Boston Art Review (BAR) has published a curated list of fifteen standout exhibitions to visit this winter, highlighting a diverse range of contemporary art shows across Boston and beyond. The selection includes both local gallery presentations and major museum exhibitions, offering readers a guide to the season's most compelling visual art experiences.

BMA sets attendance record with 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime' exhibition

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has set a new attendance record with its current exhibition, 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime,' which has drawn 52,597 visitors since opening on November 2. The previous record was held by the 'Matisse/Diebenkorn' show in 2016-2017 with about 45,700 visitors. The exhibition, a mid-career survey of Sherald's work, runs through April 5 and is projected to reach 70,000 attendees. It originated at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art before arriving in Baltimore, after Sherald canceled its planned stop at the National Portrait Gallery due to censorship concerns.

Art SG 2026: New offerings and $10,000 prize

Art SG 2026, the fourth edition of Singapore's annual art fair, will take place from January 22 to 25 at Marina Bay Sands, featuring over 100 galleries from more than 30 countries. Fair director Shuyin Yang has introduced several new initiatives, including the Wan Hai Hotel project by Shanghai's Rockbund Art Museum, a South Asian art platform sponsored by TVS Motor, and the integration of S.E.A. Focus into Art SG. Notable guests include the Tate patrons group, curators from Palais de Tokyo and LUMA Arles, and LACMA director Michael Govan, who will launch the museum's Southeast Asia acquisition program.

New York Galleries: Openings and Closings of the Week (01/05—01/11)

Fair behemoths bet on Gulf plus new, bigger venues for Independent—a quick look at art fairs in 2026

Art Basel and Frieze are both launching new fairs in the Arabian Gulf in 2026: Art Basel Qatar in Doha (5-7 February) and Frieze Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi (17-22 November). Art Basel Qatar will feature 87 galleries with solo artist presentations on the theme 'Becoming,' curated by artistic director Wael Shawky, with major dealers like Gagosian and David Zwirner participating. Frieze Abu Dhabi takes over the existing Abu Dhabi Art fair, with Dyala Nusseibeh remaining as director and Deutsche Bank as sponsor. Meanwhile, Independent's two New York fairs are moving to larger venues: the contemporary edition to Pier 36 on the East River in May, and Independent 20th Century to Sotheby's Breuer building in September. Art Cologne is also reviving its Mallorca edition at the Palau de Congressos in Palma.

The Best Art Shows Around the World in 2025

Hyperallergic's editors and contributors have compiled their favorite art exhibitions of 2025, spanning cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Highlights include shows by Nan Goldin, Noah Davis, Stan Douglas, Yoko Ono, Tishan Hsu, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and a group exhibition on Japanese American women artists at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The list also features the Louvre's presentation of Cimabue, Fra Angelico's frescos in Florence, a durational performance by Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova in Los Angeles, and works by Cara Romero, Ruth Asawa, Huguette Caland, and H. C. Westermann.

A brush with… Luc Tuymans—podcast

This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Belgian painter Luc Tuymans, born in 1958 in Mortsel and based in Antwerp. Tuymans discusses his transformative approach to painting, which draws from photographs, film, and media to explore subjects ranging from contemporary politics and historical events to everyday objects. He shares insights into his meticulous process, his influences including Piet Mondrian, Léon Spilliaert, Francisco de Goya, and David Lynch, and his concept of "authentic forgeries." The episode also highlights his current exhibitions: "Luc Tuymans: The Fruit Basket" at David Zwirner in New York and Los Angeles, and a presentation at the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.

‘The Ballad of Sexual Dependency’: entire Nan Goldin series gets first-ever UK show

Gagosian gallery in London will present the first-ever UK exhibition of Nan Goldin's complete series 'The Ballad of Sexual Dependency' (126 prints, 1973-1986) at its Davies Street location from January 13 to March 21, 2025. Simultaneously, the gallery's Grosvenor Hill space will host 'Richard Avedon: Facing West,' featuring 21 portraits from Avedon's 'In the American West' series, including several unseen since 1985. Both exhibitions mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of the two landmark photography books.

10 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This December

This December, Los Angeles presents a diverse array of art exhibitions that engage with contemporary social issues, cultural protest, and new possibilities. Highlights include Alan Luna's subversive reinterpretations of Mexican history and American modernism at the new La Plaza Projects, a group show at The Box featuring nearly 200 artists challenging normative sexuality, and Daniel T. Gaitor-Lomack's assemblages at Night Gallery that poetically repurpose discarded objects from LA streets. Other notable shows include Edith Dekyndt and Richard Long's dialogue on nature at Okey Dokey Konrad Fischer, and Sam Shoemaker's performance-based mushroom boat project at Fulcrum Arts.

Paris art exhibitions to see this month

Paris is hosting a diverse array of art exhibitions this month, ranging from Jeffery Gibson's first solo show in France at Hauser & Wirth to a retrospective on photographer Denise Bellon. Other highlights include 'Radical Making' at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, featuring designs by Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé alongside contemporary artists; Gareth Mason's ceramic-focused exhibition at the same gallery; Inez & Vinoodh's 'Think Love' series at India Mahdavi's Project Room #21; and a major Art Deco centenary exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The guide also notes ongoing photography shows following Paris Photo 2025.

Uman’s kaleidoscopic journeys

The article profiles Somali-born, self-taught artist Uman, whose vibrant, pattern-filled paintings are currently the subject of her first institutional solo exhibition, 'Uman: After all the things…', at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The show, curated by Amy Smith-Stewart, features works like *Zam Zam Bom Bom* (2023) and *Melancholia in a Fall Breeze* (2025), alongside a large-scale mural and a sculptural streetlamp. The article also reveals Uman's plan to relocate from upstate New York to the south of France next spring, marking the end of a 20-year chapter in her adopted home.

8 Must-See Solo Gallery Shows in November

Galerie magazine has curated a list of eight must-see solo gallery shows across the United States for November, highlighting exhibitions from New York to Los Angeles. Featured artists include Robert Storr, whose return to painting is showcased at Vito Schnabel Gallery in New York with a series of geometric canvases titled "Fits and Starts"; Katherine Bradford, whose figurative works are on view at CANADA in New York; and the late Robert Kobayashi, whose bricolage pieces are displayed at Susan Inglett Gallery in New York, curated by his daughter. Other notable shows include Flora Yukhnovich at Hauser & Wirth in Downtown Los Angeles.

9 Standout Solo Gallery Shows to See in Paris

The article highlights nine standout solo gallery shows currently on view in Paris, coinciding with Art Basel and other art fairs taking place in the city. Featured exhibitions include Elmgreen & Dragset's lifelike office worker installation at MASSIMODECARLO's Piece Unique window, Jessie Makinson's new surreal figurative paintings at Brigitte Mulholland, a tribute to Robert Rauschenberg's 100th birthday at Thaddaeus Ropac, Jeffrey Gibson's first Paris solo show at Hauser & Wirth, and Mickalene Thomas's new portrait series at Galerie Nathalie Obadia, among others.

As censorship rises, is there a future for truly political, truth-telling art?

The article examines the growing threat of censorship in the visual arts, focusing on two key incidents. In the US, the Trump administration pressured the Smithsonian Institution to review its holdings for content that contradicts "American exceptionalism," leading artist Amy Sherald to withdraw her entire solo exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery after the museum considered removing her painting *Trans Forming Liberty* (2024), which depicts a transgender person as the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, in France, Dutch street artist Judith de Leeuw unveiled a monumental mural in Roubaix showing the Statue of Liberty covering its eyes in shame, protesting global migrant injustice, which went viral online.

The story behind the Van Gogh still life that looks destined to become his most expensive Paris painting

Van Gogh's 'Parisian Novels' (November-December 1887) will be the leading lot in the Pritzker sale at Sotheby's, New York on 20 November, with an estimate of $40 million. The still life, depicting 22 books and three pink roses, has been consigned by the estate of Cindy Pritzker, who died in March at age 101. The painting was created during Van Gogh's time living with his brother Theo in Paris and was among the first three works publicly exhibited during his lifetime, at the Société des Artistes Indépendants in March 1888. The Pritzker collection sale also includes 36 other works estimated at $120 million, featuring pieces by Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse.

Exhibition spotlights civic engagement of artists

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University has opened a new iteration of its Archive Rooms series, featuring two concurrent exhibitions: "Archive Room: Ester Hernandez" and "Archive Room: Ruth Asawa." The Hernandez exhibition showcases seldom-exhibited artwork, ephemera, writing, and family photographs from the artist's archive, including her iconic print "Sun Mad" (1982) addressing pesticide contamination, alongside materials documenting her community-based practice and activism. The Asawa exhibition highlights her arts advocacy through teaching materials, photographs, and projects from the Alvarado School Arts Workshop, an artist-in-residence program she co-founded in 1968 that operated in 50 San Francisco public schools.

15 Women-Led Art Shows to See in New York This Fall

The article lists 15 women-led art shows to see in New York this fall, highlighting exhibitions at venues such as the Alice Austen House, David Zwirner, NYU's Grey Art Museum, and others. Featured artists include Meryl Meisler, Sasha Gordon, June Edmonds, June Leaf, Karen Barbour, María Berrío, and Sissi Farassat, with shows running from September through February.

The Storm Hits the Art Market

The article reports on the severe downturn in the art market during the first half of 2025, focusing on the closure of New York-based Clearing gallery. Despite opting out of Art Basel to host an alternative exhibition in a rented villa to cut costs, the gallery could not survive its financial losses and announced bankruptcy in August. It is one of several prominent galleries—including Blum, Venus Over Manhattan, and Kasmin—that have closed amid falling sales, high overheads, and reduced collector spending.

Baltimore Museum of Art to Host Amy Sherald Show After Artist’s Smithsonian Withdrawal

Amy Sherald has moved her touring exhibition "American Sublime" to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) after withdrawing it from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) over censorship concerns. The show, previously at the Whitney Museum of American Art, will open at the BMA on November 3 and run until April 5, 2026. Sherald pulled the exhibition from the Smithsonian-affiliated NPG after she said the institution wanted to replace her painting "Trans Forming Liberty" (2024), which depicts the Statue of Liberty as a trans woman, with a video providing context on transgender issues. The BMA, which had already planned to honor Sherald with its "Artist Who Inspires" award, will feature works including her portrait of Michelle Obama, "Breonna Taylor" (2020), and the contested painting.

We Know You’re Preparing for the Onslaught, so Here’s a List of 15 Solo Gallery Shows Worth Seeing in New York This Month

Cultured magazine has published a curated list of 15 solo gallery shows worth seeing in New York this September, highlighting exhibitions at venues such as Gagosian, Meredith Rosen Gallery, Michael Werner, 56 Henry, and Matthew Marks Gallery. Featured artists include Christopher Kulendran Thomas, whose AI-driven installation "Peace Core" re-edits pre-9/11 television footage alongside paintings of a Sri Lankan massacre; Catharine Czudej, who pairs consumerist paintings with merchandise and a new film; Florian Krewer, whose ominous animalistic paintings explore human emotion; Ohad Meromi, whose works focus on moments of rest and reflection; and Nayland Blake, whose three-part exhibition spans queer sexuality, the AIDS crisis, and new sculptural works.

Washington, D.C., Museums are Showcasing African American Art, Exhibitions Focus on Photography and the Black Arts Movement, Vivian Browne, Adam Pendleton & More

Museums across Washington, D.C., are currently presenting a robust slate of exhibitions focused on African American art, including major retrospectives, solo shows, and thematic group presentations. Notable shows include "Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist" at the National Gallery of Art, "We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists" at the Renwick Gallery, solo exhibitions for Vivian Browne and Essex Hemphill at The Phillips Collection, Chakaia Booker's "In the Tower" at the National Gallery, and Adam Pendleton's "Love, Queen" at the Hirshhorn Museum. Additionally, collectors Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson have pledged 175 works by Black artists to the National Gallery, with over 60 on view in "With Passion and Purpose."

A brush with… Jeffrey Gibson—podcast

This podcast episode features artist Jeffrey Gibson, who discusses his interdisciplinary practice blending Indigenous histories, queer aesthetics, and contemporary visual culture. Gibson talks about his upcoming exhibitions, including his U.S. Pavilion presentation at the 2024 Venice Biennale, a show at Hauser & Wirth in Paris, and major museum commissions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MASS MoCA, The Broad, and Kunsthaus Zürich. He reflects on influences from Henri Matisse, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Frank Bowling, and David Hammons, as well as his connection to poet Layli Long Soldier and writer Hélène Cixous.

Behind-the-scenes Beatles photographs shot by Paul McCartney to go on sale at Gagosian London

Gagosian London will present 'Rearview Mirror: Liverpool–London–Paris' from August 28 to October 4, showcasing behind-the-scenes photographs taken by Paul McCartney between December 1963 and February 1964. The images, remastered from long-lost negatives and contact sheets, capture pivotal moments in the Beatles' early fame, including their Paris residency at the Olympia Theatre and their appearance on BBC's Juke Box Jury. The prints are signed by McCartney, available in editions of six to ten, and priced between $20,000 and $85,000. The exhibition follows a larger presentation at Gagosian Beverly Hills earlier this year.

What’s on now at San Francisco museums, July 2025

The article provides a roundup of current and upcoming exhibitions at San Francisco museums and galleries in July 2025. Highlights include 'People Make This Place: SFAI Stories' opening July 26 at SFMOMA, 'Jess Young: Return' at 500 Capp Street, and 'Ferlinghetti for San Francisco' at the Legion of Honor. Shows closing soon include 'Yuan Goang-Ming: Everyday War' at the Asian Art Museum and 'Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art' at the Legion of Honor. The gallery scene is covered with mentions of Voss Gallery, Incline Gallery, and Hosfelt Gallery, along with ongoing exhibitions like 'Kunié Sugiura: Photopainting' and 'Ruth Asawa: Retrospective' at SFMOMA.

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting

The National Portrait Gallery in London is hosting a major exhibition of Jenny Saville's work, titled "Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting," running from 20 June to 7 September 2025. The show brings together some of Saville's most monumental paintings, including works like "Hyphen" (1999) and "Reverse" (2002-03), drawn from private collections and courtesy of Gagosian. The article traces Saville's career from her early days as a committed child artist, through her studies at Glasgow School of Art and the University of Cincinnati, to her breakthrough when collector Charles Saatchi purchased her entire degree show in 1992, enabling her to create large-scale works for a solo exhibition.

William Kentridge Wants to Starve the Algorithm

William Kentridge, the South African artist known for his multidisciplinary practice, has created a new film series titled "Self-Portrait as a Coffee-Pot" (2020–2024), comprising nine half-hour segments. The work, which features his signature blend of drawing, animation, performance, and music, is currently on view at Hauser & Wirth's 22nd Street gallery in New York under the exhibition "A Natural History of the Studio." The article explores Kentridge's improvisational process, where he starts without a plan and lets gestures and materials guide him, often interviewing himself in the film to dramatize the artist's dual nature and the act of creation.

The Royal Academy’s Kiefer-Van Gogh show offers a soaring spectacle

The Royal Academy of Arts in London is hosting "Kiefer/Van Gogh" (28 June–26 October), a focused exhibition pairing Anselm Kiefer's monumental multimedia works with Vincent van Gogh's paintings and drawings. The show, curated by Julien Domercq, features seven huge Kiefer pieces including the 8.4m-wide "The Starry Night" (2019) and a single sculpture, alongside 11 Van Gogh works—five on loan from the Van Gogh Museum. It previously ran at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where it drew 340,000 visitors. The London iteration is smaller but includes different works, with a central room dedicated to Van Gogh's pieces spanning his career.

Party time: Cate Blanchett, Beth Ditto, Lily Allen and more light up glitzy Serpentine summer bash

The Serpentine in London hosted its annual invitation-only Summer Party, a glitzy fundraising gala that drew a mix of art, fashion, tech, and showbiz figures. For the first time since 2000, a single artist co-hosted the event: Australian actor and humanitarian Cate Blanchett. The evening featured the Lego Group's bright orange Play Pavilion, a reimagined installation by Indian artist Subodh Gupta, and the Serpentine Pavilion designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. Notable attendees included sculptors Thomas J. Price and Antony Gormley, artists Grayson Perry, Es Devlin, and Yinka Shonibare, along with celebrities like Lily Allen, Beth Ditto, will.i.am, and Jessica Gunning. The event also highlighted Giuseppe Penone's exhibition 'Thoughts in the Roots' and was supported by partners including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ruinart, Gagosian, and Google Arts & Culture.

A brush with... Hew Locke—podcast

This episode of 'A brush with...' features artist Hew Locke, who discusses his career and artistic practice. Born in Edinburgh in 1959 to artists Donald and Leila Locke, he moved to Guyana as a child and returned to the UK to study art in 1980. Over three decades, Locke has created sculptures, installations, photographs, drawings, and textiles exploring nationhood, culture, and power, often using found objects and cardboard. He reflects on influences including his parents, a tutorial with Paula Rego, and Hans Haacke's 1993 Venice Biennale pavilion, and discusses his upcoming exhibitions: 'Gilt' at Compton Verney (2025-2027), 'Passages' at the Yale Center for British Art (2025-2026), 'Armada' at Newlyn Art Gallery, and 'Cargoes' at King Edward Memorial Park.