the phillips collection to deaccession georgia okeeffe arthur dove georges seurat

The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., is proceeding with plans to auction major works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Arthur Dove, and Georges Seurat at Sotheby's on November 20, despite sharp backlash from former curators, members of the Phillips family, and the museum's non-governing members body. The works—including O'Keeffe's *Large Dark Red Leaves on White* (estimate $6–8 million), Seurat's conté crayon drawing ($3–5 million), and Dove's *Rose and Locust Stump* ($1.2–1.8 million)—are considered central to founder Duncan Phillips's vision. Director and CEO Jonathan Binstock argues the proceeds will fund a permanently restricted endowment for commissioning new work by living artists, acquisitions, and collection care, aligning with Duncan Phillips's belief in supporting contemporary practitioners.

gene hackman bonhams auction

Bonhams will auction works from the collection of late actor Gene Hackman this November, spanning three sales—one live and two online. The live sale, titled “Gene Hackman: A Life in Art, Part I,” takes place November 19 in New York and features highlights such as Milton Avery’s 1957 painting *Figure on the Jetty* (estimate $500,000–$700,000) and Richard Diebenkorn’s 1986 color etching *Green* (estimate $300,000–$500,000). Online sales include two of Hackman’s Golden Globes, a still life painting by the actor himself, and additional lots of annotated books, scripts, and cinematic memorabilia. Hackman, who died in February, was a major arts patron in Santa Fe, a painter, and a board member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

flemish government eliminates m hka smak museum controversy

The Flemish government has announced a plan to close the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA), Belgium's oldest contemporary art museum, and transfer its collection of around 8,000 objects to the S.M.A.K. in Ghent, which will be rebranded as the Flemish Museum of Contemporary and Current Art by 2028. The decision, part of a broader reform of Flanders' museum landscape, has sparked outrage: M HKA's board chairman Herman De Bode resigned, and staff published an open letter and launched a petition that gathered over 2,600 signatures, accusing the government of acting without transparency or consultation.

admiral nelsons sexuality in spotlight once again after war hero branded queer by british museum

The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, UK, has included British naval hero Horatio Nelson in a "Queer relationships" collection, citing his contested final words "Kiss me, Hardy" as evidence. The museum added Daniel Maclise's *The Death of Nelson* (1859-1864) and Benjamin West's 1806 painting of the same name to an online article about LGBTQ+ love. This follows a similar move by London's National Maritime Museum, which examined Nelson through a "queer lens" during a "Queer History Night" event last year.

heirs of jewish collector urge appeals court to reconsider claim to van goghs sunflowers

Heirs of German Jewish banker and art collector Paul von Mendelssohn-Bartholdy have urged the US Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago to revive their lawsuit seeking the return of Vincent van Gogh's *Sunflowers* (1888), which they claim was sold under Nazi duress. The lawsuit, filed in 2022 against Japanese insurer Sompo Holdings, argues that the painting was purchased at a 1987 Christie's auction by Sompo's predecessor, Yasuda, despite provenance indicating Mendelssohn-Bartholdy was a Nazi victim. A lower court dismissed the case in 2024 for lack of jurisdiction, but the heirs contend that the painting's exhibition in Chicago in 2001 establishes sufficient legal ties to Illinois.

At the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp a major exhibition on Antony Gormley, with more than one hundred works

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is hosting a major exhibition titled "Geestgrond" dedicated to British sculptor Antony Gormley, running from May 23 to September 20, 2026. Curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, the show features over 100 works made from diverse materials including clay, stone, wood, glass, bread, iron, lead, and steel. The exhibition places Gormley's sculptures in dialogue with the museum's historical collection, spanning from a 14th-century Flemish Crucifixion to works by James Ensor, Auguste Rodin, and Julio González. It also extends beyond the museum walls into the streets of Antwerp and along the Scheldt River, with works from the Domain and Weave Works series appearing in urban spaces.

art emerging artists to watch frieze los angeles

Cultured magazine highlights three emerging artists to watch during Frieze Los Angeles: Katelyn Eichwald, Nevine Mahmoud, and Casey Bolding. The article features interviews with each artist, discussing their upcoming presentations in LA, their creative processes, and how their life experiences inform their work. Casey Bolding, for example, discusses his exhibition "Bloodstream" at Karma Los Angeles and how his background in graffiti and faux finishing influences his paintings.

2022 obituaries

ian hamilton finlay

David Nolan Gallery in New York is presenting “Ian Hamilton Finlay: Fragments,” an exhibition marking the centenary of the Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006). On view through June 7, 2025, the show features works from the late 1970s through the late 1990s in mediums including porcelain, ceramic, stone, bronze, plaster, metal, and prints. It highlights Finlay’s multidisciplinary practice as an artist, poet, philosopher, and gardener, with notable pieces such as *Watering Can (Shenstone)* (1995) and references to his famous garden *Little Sparta* (1966). The exhibition coincides with a book of the same title containing 100 works and fragmentary texts by writers including Stephen Bann, Tom Lubbock, and Alec Finlay.

Ed Ruscha, Lawrence Weiner | Hard Light (1978) | Art & Prints

An auction listing for Ed Ruscha and Lawrence Weiner's collaborative print "Hard Light" (1978) has ended, with the work described as an offset lithograph in colors on 60 lb. Mountie Matte paper, measuring 7 × 5 inches. The print is from an edition of 3560 published by Heavy Industry Publications, Los Angeles and Moved Pictures, New York, and is in good condition with pale toning and faint stains. The listing also promotes similar available works by Ed Ruscha, including "Mr. Ray" (1975), "Wall Rocket" (2013), and "Dead End III" (2014), with prices ranging from €13,500 to request-based.

Ed Ruscha | Vintage Ed Ruscha exhibition poster - Mountain serie… (2010) | For Sale

This is a listing for a vintage Ed Ruscha exhibition poster from his "Mountain series" (2010), offered for sale by Baldwin Gallery (London/Dubai) on Artsy. The offset lithograph on paper measures 39.4 × 27.2 inches, is from an unknown edition, unsigned, and includes a certificate of authenticity. The price is £3,250, with shipping available from London.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art to Present First Museum Survey of Lorna Simpson’s Paintings

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will present "Lorna Simpson: Source Notes" from May 19 to November 2, 2025, the first museum survey dedicated entirely to the New York-based artist's painting practice. Featuring over 30 works, the exhibition traces Simpson's shift from conceptual photography to paintings that explore gender, race, identity, and history, including pieces from her 2015 Venice Biennale debut and her "Special Characters" series, alongside recent sculptures and collages. The show is funded by the Ford Foundation and supported by Jim and Irene Karp and John and Amy Griffin.

Hauser & Wirth Heads to Palo Alto as Mega-Galleries Target Silicon Valley

Hauser & Wirth has announced plans to open a new gallery in Palo Alto, California, in spring 2026. The location, a historic former post office at 201–225 Hamilton Avenue, will offer 2,600 square feet of exhibition space, a bookshop, and a program of talks and events. Designed by architect Luis Laplace, it will be the gallery's sixth U.S. outpost and its third in California, joining existing spaces in downtown Los Angeles and West Hollywood. The expansion comes as the broader art market faces contraction, but mega-galleries continue targeting wealthy collector hubs like Silicon Valley.

Swiss mega gallery tied to Laurene Powell Jobs to open in Palo Alto near her offices

Hauser & Wirth, the Swiss mega-gallery, will open its first Northern California location this spring in downtown Palo Alto, inside a former post office at 201–225 Hamilton Ave. The move is widely seen as a bid to be closer to Silicon Valley clients, particularly billionaire philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, whose Emerson Collective offices are two blocks away. Powell Jobs, rumored to be one of Hauser & Wirth's top clients, shifted her business from Pace Gallery to Hauser & Wirth in 2022. The renovation is led by Paris-based architect Luis Laplace, who is also designing Powell Jobs' renovation of the San Francisco Art Institute. The gallery will be the third Hauser & Wirth in California, joining two Los Angeles locations.

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.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Presents First Museum Survey of Lorna Simpson’s Paintings

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has opened "Lorna Simpson: Source Notes," the first museum survey dedicated to Lorna Simpson's painting practice. Running from May 19 to November 2, 2025, at The Met Fifth Avenue, the exhibition features over 30 works spanning a decade, from her first painting to her latest series, alongside related works in other media. Simpson, known for her conceptual photography since the 1990s, explores identity and representation through screen-printed collages that incorporate vintage imagery from Ebony, Jet, and archival sources. The exhibition is supported by the Ford Foundation, Hauser & Wirth, and other donors.

On the Met Gala’s Cy Gavin-designed blue carpet, art was front and centre

The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, raised a record $31 million while celebrating the opening of the Costume Institute's new exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" (May 10-October 26). The event's dress code, "Tailored for You," inspired attendees to embrace Black-dandy fashion, with guests including Rihanna, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, and Kamala Harris. The exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton and Monica L. Miller, explores the evolution of Black style in the Atlantic diaspora from the 18th century to today, drawing on Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity." It is the Costume Institute's first show to directly address race's impact on style and the Met's first menswear exhibition in over 20 years.

7 Artists Who Capture the Essence of Black Dandyism

The article highlights seven contemporary artists whose work embodies Black dandyism, timed to the 2025 Met Gala theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' and the corresponding exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It traces the history of Black dandyism from its 18th-century European roots through its evolution during slavery and the 20th century, emphasizing its role as a defiant, empowering form of self-expression that challenges gender norms and racial stereotypes. Featured artists include Barkley L. Hendricks, Derek Fordjour, and Tyler Mitchell, among others.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie New York Announce Plans for a Landmark Merger

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Ronald S. Lauder Neue Galerie New York have announced a landmark merger agreement, set to take effect in 2028. The merger will unite the Neue Galerie's collection of 20th-century Austrian and German art—including Gustav Klimt's *Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I*—with The Met, while preserving the Neue Galerie's distinct museum experience. Ronald S. Lauder and his daughter Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer plan to donate 13 additional paintings from their personal collection, and several Met trustees have pledged significant endowment gifts to support the integration and long-term operations.

MFAH's blockbuster modern art exhibit and 7 more openings in Houston this month

The article highlights eight major art exhibitions and events opening in Houston in May 2025, including the U.S. debut of "Picasso–Klee–Matisse: Masterpieces from the Museum Berggruen" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), which features works by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, and Giacometti. Other notable events include the "Freedom Plane National Tour" of founding-era documents at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the 20th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at Silver Street Studios, and "No Longer, Not Yet" by Marisol Valencia at Art League, which uses materials from a migrant shelter. The article also mentions shows at CAMH, Moody Art Center, and Sawyer Yards.

The Colors of Mark Rothko Conquer Florence: A Major Exhibition Across Three Venues

I colori di Mark Rothko conquistano Firenze: una grande mostra in tre sedi

The city of Florence is hosting a major three-venue retrospective dedicated to Mark Rothko, centered at Palazzo Strozzi with extensions into the Museo di San Marco and the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana. Curated by Christopher Rothko and Elena Geuna, the exhibition features 70 works spanning the artist's career, from his early Surrealist-influenced paintings of the 1930s and 40s to his iconic 'Multiform' and classic color-field abstractions. A unique highlight of the show is the installation of Rothko’s smaller works within the historic cells of the Museo di San Marco, directly alongside frescoes by Beato Angelico.

Blue-Chip Names Anchor Showplace’s Art and Design Auction

New York's Showplace is hosting its Important Fine Art and Design Auction on May 14, 2026, featuring 145 lots that span Old Masters to contemporary works. Key highlights include Yayoi Kusama's *Infinity Nets* (1995, est. $100,000–$200,000), Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe's *Yellow Fanny Pack* (2021, est. $12,000–$18,000), Alexander Calder's *Paradis* (1976, est. $60,000–$80,000), Henri Martin's *L'Eglise de Labastide-du-Vert* (est. $60,000–$80,000), and Milton Avery's *Untitled (Winter Landscape Scene)* (est. $20,000–$40,000). The auction brings together blue-chip names like Warhol, Kusama, and Calder alongside emerging artists.

KAWS | Tide, from KAWS: What Party exhibition at Brooklyn Museum (2021)

The auction for KAWS's 2021 print "Tide" has concluded. The work is an offset lithograph originally created for the artist's "What Party" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.

Texas Art Legend Robert Rauschenberg is Celebrated in Groundbreaking Nasher Exhibition

The Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas has launched "Rauschenberg Sculpture," a major exhibition marking the first museum presentation dedicated exclusively to Robert Rauschenberg’s three-dimensional works in three decades. Organized by senior curator Dr. Catherine Craft in collaboration with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the show features over two dozen works spanning the 1950s to the 1990s, including his iconic "Combines," rotating Plexiglas "Revolvers," and experimental clay and metal assemblages.

NEXT in the Gallery: Psychic visuals, alchemy and shrines to matriarchs in Pittsburgh

NEXTpittsburgh's monthly art roundup highlights a packed schedule of openings and events in Pittsburgh from late January through May. Key shows include the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Downtown Gallery Crawl on Jan. 30, featuring artists like Ben Schonberger and Stamatina Gregory; "Stuck in Saṃsāra" (Feb. 6–March 22), a group exhibition of 10 Asian American & Pacific Island artists curated by Brent Nakamoto; and "Lewis Hine Pictures America" (Feb. 21–May 17) at the Frick Museum & Gardens, showcasing the documentary photographer's iconic images of American workers. Additional exhibitions span ceramics, hand-colored photographs, and community shows at venues such as Concept Art Gallery, Bottom Feeder Books, and the John A. Hermann Memorial Art Museum.

The Sixteen Best Jersey City Art Shows of 2025

The article presents a curated list of the sixteen best art shows in Jersey City from 2025, written by a critic who made a concerted effort to attend every exhibition in town over the past year. The list includes highlights such as Sarah Mueller's solo show "Reconstructions" at Art House Productions, the 5.7 Sculptors Guild exhibition spread across MORA Museum and Firmament Gallery, and Anna Collevecchio's installation at 150 Bay Street. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive commentary on the artists' techniques and thematic concerns.

Smithsonian American Art Museum Debuts Monumental New Commission by Nick Cave in February 2026

The Smithsonian American Art Museum will debut "Nick Cave: Mammoth," a monumental new commission by artist Nick Cave, in February 2026. This marks Cave's first solo exhibition in Washington, D.C., and represents the museum's largest-ever commission by a single artist. The installation combines sculpture, video, and found objects, drawing on Cave's childhood in Chariton County, Missouri, and exploring themes of family history, landscapes, and craft traditions. The exhibition will be on view from February 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027, and is organized by curator Sarah Newman.

The Armory Show puts spotlight on the American South

The Armory Show, New York's premier art fair, is dedicating its 2025 Focus section to artists and galleries from the American South, running September 4-7. Curated by Jessica Bell Brown, executive director of the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, the section features 13 galleries, including Martha's from Austin and Wolfgang Gallery from Atlanta, with works exploring themes of queer identity, Black communities, and Southern cuisine. The fair, now under director Kyla McMillan and owned by Frieze, aims to amplify the region as a nexus for diasporas and challenge preconceived notions about the South.

Marcel Duchamp Was the Messenger of History

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is launching the first comprehensive U.S. exhibition of Marcel Duchamp’s work in over 50 years. In an interview regarding the opening, renowned scholar Thierry de Duve discusses the artist's enduring legacy, from his infamous readymades like "Fountain" to his complex, labor-intensive works like the "Large Glass." The exhibition seeks to reconcile Duchamp’s identity as both a conceptual provocateur and a meticulous craftsman.

National Portrait Gallery to stage landmark Marilyn Monroe exhibition.

The National Portrait Gallery in London will open a landmark exhibition this June celebrating Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday. The show features portraits by artists including Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, and Marlene Dumas, alongside works by over twenty major 20th-century photographers such as Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, and Eve Arnold. Monroe's personal effects, including books, scripts, and clothing, will also be displayed.