Sex, beauty and the body: how Helen Chadwick shaped British contemporary art

A new critical biography, "Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures," has been published, marking the first comprehensive study of the British artist Helen Chadwick (1953-96). Edited by Laura Smith, director of collections and exhibitions at the Hepworth Wakefield, the book includes contributions from historian Marina Warner, curator Katrin Bucher Trantow, and artist Maria Christoforidou. A touring exhibition of Chadwick's work opens at the Hepworth Wakefield on 17 May and runs until 27 October. The article highlights Chadwick's provocative, punky, and perverse body-focused works, such as "Untitled (Eat Art)" (1973), where she cast her face in jelly for viewers to consume, and "Piss Flowers" (1991-92), made from snow she urinated on. It also recounts the infamous 1986 incident at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, where her sculpture "Carcass"—a glass tower of rotting vegetables—leaked and collapsed.

The miart 2026 fair is over and no longer has a director. Who will direct the 2027 edition? The name game

La fiera miart 2026 è finita e non ha più un direttore. Chi dirigerà l’edizione 2027? Il totonomi

The 2026 edition of the Milanese art fair miart has concluded, but its director Nicola Ricciardi is not expected to continue. The fair's owner, Fiera Milano, issued a closing statement with results and future dates, but failed to announce a successor, leaving the leadership for the 2027 edition in question.

‘I’m not trying to make him handsome’: Polly Samson on photographing husband David Gilmour – in pictures

Polly Samson, acclaimed author and wife of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, presents her first solo photography exhibition at Leica Gallery London, featuring intimate images taken over two decades of Gilmour on tour and in the studio. The show, titled 'Polly Samson – Between This Breath and Then,' runs until 7 May 2026 and coincides with the release of her book 'David Gilmour: Luck and Strange – Studio/Live,' published by Thames & Hudson. Samson's photographs capture candid moments of Gilmour, their family, and the creative process behind albums including 'Luck and Strange.'

Rain, insomnia and finding a model: how Morocco challenged and changed Matisse

Henri Matisse made two pivotal trips to Tangier, Morocco, in 1912-1913, documented in Jeff Koehler's new book *Matisse in Morocco: A Journey of Light and Colour*. At a low point in his career—having lost patrons and critical support after his Fauve period—Matisse sought new inspiration, producing over 20 paintings despite challenges like rain, insomnia, and difficulty finding models. Commissions from Russian collectors Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov helped fund the trips, and Matisse worked at the Villa Brooks estate, creating works such as *Moroccan Landscape (Acanthus)* (1912) and *The Palm* (1912). The article also highlights Matisse's discovery of fingerprints on *View of the Bay of Tangier* (1912-13) and his reliance on a Moroccan model named Zorah.

Colourful debut for Thames artist

Jack Moskowitz, a Thames local, opened his first solo exhibition titled "Jack's Exhibition" at the Vessel Art Gallery on April 18. The show features 32 artworks including portraits, landscapes, and cars, rendered in pastels, watercolour, ink, and dye, with a strong emphasis on colour. Jack, who has been making art since age five, received tutoring from several local artists including Sue Clark and Laurie Spera, and many pieces sold quickly to the public.

Reading artists exhibit work in new partnership with cafe

The Reading Guild of Artists (RGA) has partnered with Honesty Café in Thames Quarter, Reading, to host monthly art exhibitions by its members. The first display features vibrant prints by artist Mark Burden, launched at an event on April 16. This initiative follows other RGA projects at Reading Museum and Royal Berks Hospital, expanding the guild's community outreach.

Chatham-Kent - Thames Art Gallery Celebrates Local High School Artists and Ukrainian artist Lana Matskiv

The Thames Art Gallery in Chatham-Kent is launching two concurrent exhibitions on April 17, 2026, featuring a blend of professional and student work. Ukrainian artist Lana Matskiv presents "Hyphenated," a solo exhibition of over forty pieces including paintings and installations that explore the intersection of cultural histories and personal narratives. Alongside this, the gallery hosts "Here I Am," a juried showcase of artwork by local high school students from grades 9 through 12, culminating in a public reception and awards ceremony.

Amid a cost of living crisis for London’s artists, a charity has secured dozens of affordable studio spaces

Bow Arts, a UK charity founded in 1994, has acquired two buildings in east London to create permanently affordable studio spaces for artists. The purchases include a site in the Hackney Yards development, developed in partnership with housing association Notting Hill Genesis and supported by Arts Council England and the London Legacy Development Corporation, which will provide 38 studios by 2026, and the Brutalist Lakeside Centre in Thamesmead, already housing over 40 artist studios. This follows Bow Arts’ first owned building, Three Waters, acquired in 2022 on a 999-year lease with 70 studios. The charity now owns three of the 28 buildings it manages across London, with an annual turnover of £5.1 million, most of which is reinvested into the creative community.

Winter Welcome brings creativity and community spirit to Grays

On December 18, Grays Shopping Centre hosted Winter Welcome, a community celebration produced by Thurrock-based arts organization Together Productions in collaboration with Welcome to the UK. The event featured visual arts activities, a 'Creating Home' art exhibition by the Together Create Visual Arts Collective with artists Marsha Ashley and Salina Jane, participatory singing led by Ashley Beauchamp and Thames Opera Company, and food prepared by Welcome to the UK community members. Thurrock's Deputy Mayor Cllr Steve Liddiard attended, and shoppers enjoyed a pop-up performance.

Local artists wanted for CK Queer Portraits art exhibit

Thames Art Gallery in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, is organizing an exhibition titled "Queer Portraits" that celebrates the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The gallery is now accepting submissions from artists, with entries required to show a meaningful connection to Chatham-Kent, be created from the perspective of or in allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and portray a specific person or their defining characteristics. A jury will review submissions, which are due by 4 p.m. on May 29, with up to two pieces per artist accepted across various media.