‘Washwasha’ (Whispers Across Water): Sonic Cartographies of the UAE at the Venice Biennale.

The National Pavilion UAE has announced its upcoming exhibition for the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, titled ‘Washwasha’ (Whispers Across Water). Curated by Bana Kattan with assistant curator Tala Nassar, the presentation features six artists: Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva. The exhibition moves away from traditional visual spectacle to focus on sound, oral traditions, and 'sonic cartographies' that explore memory, migration, and the fluid identity of the UAE through an architectural environment designed by Büro Koray Duman Architects.

Sortilégios de desvio and the Politics of Image-Making

The Museu de Arte do Rio has launched 'Sortilégios de desvio,' the first solo institutional exhibition by Brazilian artist No Martins. Produced in collaboration with Galeria Almeida & Dale and curated by a five-person team led by Marcelo Campos, the show features a significant selection of Martins’ recent works that explore the intersections of urban experience and Afro-Brazilian cultural imaginaries. Through a variety of media, the exhibition highlights the artist's focus on gesture, memory, and the reconfiguration of traditional visual narratives.

hamptons guide hidden gems beaches restaurants

A group of Hamptons locals—including fashion designer Ulla Johnson, hotelier Sean MacPherson, and landscape designer Edwina Von Gal—share their favorite under-the-radar spots in the East End for CULTURED's July/August Hamptons issue. Recommendations range from the curated art and design space Galerie Sardine in Amagansett to secluded beaches like Culloden Point, hiking trails at Camp Hero and Shadmoor, and nature preserves such as the Walking Dunes. The guide emphasizes quiet, scenic alternatives to crowded hotspots, with personal anecdotes about kayaking, bonfires, and local services like barber Danny Dimauro.

FORGING PATHS: AFRO-BRAZILIAN ANCESTRY AND FEMININE POWER IN THE WORK OF NÁDIA TAQUARY

FORJAR CAMINOS: ANCESTRALIDAD AFROBRASILEÑA Y PODER FEMENINO EN LA OBRA DE NÁDIA TAQUARY

The exhibition "Ònà Irin: caminho de ferro" by artist Nádia Taquary has opened at Sesc Belenzinho in São Paulo, featuring large-scale sculptures and an immersive video installation. Curated by Amanda Bonan, Ayrson Heráclito, and Marcelo Campos, the show centers on a massive installation of iron rails that symbolize the Yoruba deity Ogum, the opener of paths. The works integrate traditional Afro-Brazilian materials such as cowrie shells, beads, and metals to explore spiritual protection and the historical significance of jewelry as a form of resistance and identity for enslaved and freed Black women.

Cannes 2026 Dispatch, Part 1: Breaking False Unities

On May 8, during the pre-opening of the Venice Biennale, the independent collective ANGA (Art Not Genocide Alliance) organized a strike protesting genocide and precarity in the art world. Pro-Palestinian activists entered the Arsenale, where part of the exhibition "In Minor Keys" curated by the late Koyo Kouoh was installed, and hung posters on artworks calling for the liberation of Palestine and denouncing what they described as the Biennale's "art-washing" of Israel's reputation. The disruption blurred the line between activist intervention and the exhibition itself, as many works already addressed Palestine directly, including a poem by Refaat Alareer placed at the entrance.

Probing the Intergalactic Art Installations of Thai Artist Torlarp “Hern” Larpjaroensook

Thai artist Torlarp “Hern” Larpjaroensook creates immersive sci-fi sculptures and installations using found and ready-made objects. His recent work 'Cosmos of Nostalgia' was displayed at the NTU Museum in Singapore from January to April 2026, part of a campus-wide exhibition featuring three Southeast Asian artists. Earlier notable works include 'U.S.O. – Unidentified Standing Object' (2018) at Subhashok The Arts Centre in Bangkok and 'Spiritual Spaceship' (2018) at the Bangkok Art Biennale, which explored the contrast between modern technology and traditional Thai spirituality.

Arts & Science Center hosting artwork by instructor at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas is hosting the exhibition 'Blaque' by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff art instructor Jonathan Rashad Wright as a highlight of its 2026 Black History Month programming. The exhibition, on display through July 3, explores themes of identity, heritage, grief, and resilience within the African diaspora through Wright's innovative blend of traditional printmaking and modern technology, using black ink on black paper to create layered, introspective works.

New Media Gallery to be ‘refreshed’ and reopen in New Westminster’s Anvil Centre

The New Media Gallery in New Westminster’s Anvil Centre, which operated from 2014 to 2024 showcasing technology-based art, is set to be refreshed and reopened after being paused following the departure of director-curators Sarah Joyce and Gordon Duggan. A 10-year review of the Anvil Centre identified the gallery as a key cultural asset, and city council approved recruitment for a new single director-curator position to lead the renewal, with an annual budget of about $650,000 for the gallery and adjacent Art & Technology LAB.

Kettle Art Gallery presents "OG’s Return to Deep Ellum" opening reception

Kettle Art Gallery in Dallas is hosting "OG's Return to Deep Ellum," an exhibition reuniting eight pioneering visual artists who helped shape the creative identity of the Deep Ellum district. The show features works by Bill Haveron, Brad Ellis, Brad Smith, Clay Austin, Dwayne Carter, Frank Campagna, Greg "Ozone" Contestabile, and Thor Johnson, alongside tributes to the late Albert Scherbarth and David "Mosquito" Hawley. The opening reception precedes a run through August 16.

New Gallery Exhibit at CU Anschutz Honors Son's Legacy

A new photo exhibition and speaker series titled "Love, Anything: 28 Expressions for 28 Luminous Years" has opened at the Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities on the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. The show features 28 photographs and journal entries by the late photographer Ryyan Chacra, who died by suicide in May 2024 at age 28 while struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The opening reception on April 10 drew over 120 attendees, including family, friends, and university faculty.

5 things to do at Indy’s new contemporary art museum

The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) is set to open its doors from May 1-3 in a renovated 125-year-old dairy barn in Garfield Park. Managed by the Big Car Collaborative, the 40,000-square-foot facility features six exhibition spaces, 18 artist studios, and various community hubs including a cafe and storefronts for local creative businesses. The opening weekend will feature the main exhibition “Campo de Resonancia” by Puerto Rican painter Ivelisse Jiménez, alongside sound installations and experimental documentaries.

Artists secure solo shows after Bootcamp success

Three emerging artists—Anisa Mosaiebiniya, Maya Davis-Stokes, and Crow Dillon-Parkin—have secured solo exhibitions at the artist-led space Stryx JQ following their completion of the 'Get Gallery Ready' Bootcamp. The program, delivered by Solihull College & University Centre and funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), was designed by art historian Ruth Millington to provide creatives with professional portfolio-building skills and storytelling techniques necessary for career advancement.

FAU gallery opens exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary

Florida Atlantic University’s University Galleries opened a new exhibition titled “America 250: We Hold These Truths: We Walk These Grounds” at the Schmidt Art Gallery on its Boca Raton campus, marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. The show features work by six contemporary American artists—Carlos Betancourt, Daesha Harris, Doug Mills, John Hitchcock, Melissa Sclafani, and Yves Gabriel—and runs through March 29, 2026. The exhibition reinterprets familiar American symbols such as apple trees, wild horses, and presidential portraits, using objects and materials to explore themes of patriotism and American history.

Brutalist home of England's first National Black Art Convention saved from demolition

The University of Wolverhampton’s School of Art building, an eight-story Brutalist landmark completed in 1969, has been granted Grade II listed status by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, saving it from demolition. The building hosted the first National Black Art Convention in 1982, a pivotal event in the British Black arts movement, and is closely tied to the Blk Art Group, whose founding members include Keith Piper, Marlene Smith, and Claudette Johnson. The listing follows a campaign against the university's redevelopment plans, supported by a petition with over 6,600 signatures.

In Venice you can adopt a magazine to support the periodicals library of the Querini Stampalia Foundation

A Venezia puoi adottare una rivista per sostenere l’emeroteca della Fondazione Querini Stampalia

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice has launched an initiative called 'Adotta una rivista' (Adopt a Magazine) to support its periodicals library (emeroteca). The campaign invites individuals to sponsor subscriptions to the approximately 200 Italian and international magazines the library receives annually, covering topics from art and architecture to politics and society. The goal is to double the number of donors and ensure the continuity of this dynamic resource for students, scholars, and readers.

Belfast’s murals are an open-air gallery of history and art

Belfast's murals, long used as tools of political expression and territorial marking during the Troubles, are gradually changing. Research shows that three-quarters of the most intimidatory murals in the loyalist Shankill area have disappeared since 1998. Newer murals commemorate figures like Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, while non-sectarian artistic murals—including tributes to murdered journalist Lyra McKee—are appearing across the city. However, some paramilitary-linked murals persist, and a 2024 incident saw a wall in north Belfast rebuilt and its threatening imagery repainted, reflecting ongoing tensions and the complex politics of 'conflict transformation' funding.

The City is Our Studio: Urban Sketchers Doha bring the outdoors in

The inaugural exhibition "The City is Our Studio" by the Urban Sketchers Doha community opened at Lusail's Art Factory in Qatar. The show features works created en plein air by the group's members, who practice on-location drawing and painting to capture the essence of Doha's landscapes and everyday life.

Austin's graffiti wall returns: HOPE Outdoor Gallery opens 18-acre site

Austin's iconic graffiti wall has returned with the grand opening of the HOPE Outdoor Gallery's new 18-acre site in Southeast Austin on December 17, 2025. The original wall near Lamar Boulevard was removed six years ago, and the new location near Austin Bergstrom International Airport features a 6,000-square-foot open-air gallery, community art park, murals by local artists, a cafe, rooftop bar, art supply shop, and spaces for programming and vendors. The space is free, open to the public, and all-ages, with a ribbon-cutting attended by District 2 City Council member Vanessa Fuentes.

Alexandria Artist Shines in Prestigious Regional Female Art Exhibition

The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C. hosted the opening night of "Women Artists of the DMV," a major regional exhibition featuring over 550 female artists selected from more than 4,000 applicants. The show, curated by Florencio Lennox (Lenny) Campello, spans 18 venues across DC, Maryland, and Virginia through fall 2025. Alexandria artist Amy Perlman Gura is among the participants, with her silkscreen print "Woman of Valor with Redbud" displayed at the Hisaoka Gallery. Gura's work is inspired by her grandfather's painting and her late mother, connecting to the gallery's healing mission.

Studio Art Majors Showcase Inner Landscapes During Senior Art Exhibition

Five senior studio art majors at Sweet Briar College—Giselle Vega, Kalin Ross, Laci Walker, Sydney Harris, and Trista Cleaves—presented their work in the Senior Art Exhibition titled “Inner Landscapes: An Artistic Exploration of Our Human Experience.” The show opened on April 4, 2025, at the Benedict Gallery, featuring a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, and photography. Each artist explored themes of identity, transformation, and self-expression, with common threads of inner perception and outer reality linking the diverse pieces.

SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1, Opening Celebration in Emeritus Gallery May 14

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Emeritus Art Gallery will present the SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1, running from May 14 to June 19. The exhibition features works by 47 student artists from SMC's noncredit Emeritus program for older adults, with a free opening reception on May 14 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Due to high participation, the show is split into two parts, with Part 2 opening online on June 11.

700 square meters of a luminous street-art exhibition! The Colors Festival is back in Paris.

The Colors Festival has returned to Paris with a new immersive exhibition titled "Colors Light," located in the 15th arrondissement. Running from April 16 to July 26, 2026, the show features over 35 artists who have transformed a 700-square-meter building into a sensory playground using blacklight, fluorescence, and phosphorescence. The works are designed to shift and reveal hidden compositions as visitors move through the darkened space, marking a technical evolution for the festival toward light-based urban art.

Student artists take center stage at ArtNow 2026 Exhibition

The New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) has launched ArtNow 2026, its largest juried high school exhibition to date, featuring 97 student artists from 36 schools across Santa Clara County. Selected from over 600 submissions, the featured works respond to the theme "Before / Between / Beyond," exploring concepts of identity, heritage, and the future. The exhibition process is designed to mirror professional standards, requiring students to submit artist statements and undergo a rigorous selection process by a panel of arts professionals.

Pepperdine Closes Exhibit Featuring “Overtly Political” Art

Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, closed the exhibition “Hold My Hand In Yours” at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art on October 6, after artists discovered their works had been removed or altered for being “overtly political.” The show, curated by museum director Andrea Gyorody, explored the imagery of hands in relation to labor and care. One artist found her video turned off at the university’s request, and a sculpture was modified to hide text reading “Save the Children” and “Abolish ICE.” The affected artists requested their pieces be removed, and others withdrew in solidarity. University officials cited a policy to avoid overtly political content consistent with its nonprofit status, and offered apologies while honoring compensation agreements.

Wicked Stepmother No Longer, a Female Pharoah Gets a Reputational Makeover

A new analysis of damaged statues from ancient Egypt is reshaping the historical narrative of Queen Hatshepsut. Researchers have re-examined 3,500-year-old statuary, finding evidence that the deliberate defacement of her images occurred decades after her death, challenging the long-held belief that her successor, Thutmose III, orchestrated an immediate campaign of destruction against her legacy out of personal animosity.

A Milano c’è la prima mostra omaggio all’artista Giovanni Campus dopo la morte

BUILDING Gallery in Milan has opened "Tempo e passione," the first posthumous exhibition dedicated to Giovanni Campus (1929–2025), who died less than five months ago at nearly 100 years old. Curated by Marco Meneguzzo, the two-floor show spans Campus’s career from his Sardinian roots to his Milanese performances, featuring works that measure space using materials like springs and cords, alongside vintage video documentation of his actions in Piazza Palazzo Reale and Sardinia.

Agitate, Educate, Organize. A Conversation with the Indonesian Collective That Is in Venice with Two Projects

Agitare, educare, organizzare. Una conversazione con il collettivo indonesiano che è a Venezia con due progetti

Sale Docks, an activist art space born from a 2007 occupation in Venice, has invited the Indonesian collective Taring Padi to collaborate on two projects. The first is the exhibition "Taring Padi: People's Liberation," which reactivates banners as tools for propaganda, mobilization, and resistance. The second is a public intervention in Venice, where the collective and local community will repaint the walls of the historic social center Laboratorio Occupato Morion. The article includes an interview with Taring Padi, which was founded in 1998 in Yogyakarta by students and activists, and discusses their use of wayang shadow-puppet imagery and collaborative processes to agitate, educate, and organize communities.

Arts organisation enlists celebrities in fight to save Manhattan church

West Park Presbyterian Church on Manhattan's Upper West Side, a designated landmark, is seeking permission from the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to demolish its building, citing financial hardship due to an estimated $26.6 million in repair costs. The church's sole tenant, the arts nonprofit The Center at West Park, was evicted last year and is now leading a fierce opposition campaign, arguing the building is financially viable through leasing and air rights sales.

Centuries-old pottery firm Denby set to call in administrators

The 217-year-old British pottery firm Denby has called in administrators, putting nearly 600 jobs at risk and threatening the closure of the historic Derbyshire manufacturer. The company, which also owns the Burleigh brand, struggled with soaring gas costs, higher labor expenses, tighter financial markets, and softening consumer demand for its premium homeware, leading to a 17% sales drop in its most recent accounts.

Canadian foundation with ties to Israel’s biggest real-estate company ceases funding for Toronto Arts Foundation following protests

The Azrieli Foundation, a major Canadian philanthropic organization with ties to Israel's largest real-estate company, has ended its funding agreement with the Toronto Arts Foundation. The decision follows a sustained two-year protest campaign by the group Artists Against Artwashing, which included disruptions at a major Toronto arts event and an open letter signed by over 450 artists and cultural workers.