david lynch personal items auction

Hundreds of items from filmmaker David Lynch’s personal estate are being auctioned by Julien’s in Los Angeles, with online bidding already exceeding $56,000. The nearly 450 lots include movie props, musical gear, Polaroids, and more, spanning Lynch’s career. Top-performing items include his personalized director’s chair (bidding at $15,000), a red curtain from Twin Peaks ($2,750), a photo of a nuclear explosion from Twin Peaks: The Return ($6,000), a personal 35mm print of Eraserhead ($7,000), a vintage boomerang sofa ($4,500), and a signed Man Ray photograph ($3,500). The sale also features musical instruments from his home studio, such as a custom five-neck Ferrington guitar and a Roland synthesizer. The auction officially ends on June 18 and is held in collaboration with Turner Classic Movies.

may marquee auctions recap analysis christies sothebys

Christie's marquee auctions in New York generated $489 million across two sales, led by the $272 million 'Leonard & Louise Riggio: Collected Works' sale and a $217 million 20th century art evening auction. The house guaranteed all 39 lots in the Riggio sale and used third-party guarantees on many others to mitigate risk in a soft market. Top lots included Piet Mondrian's *Composition with Large Red Plane, Bluish Gray, Yellow, Black, and Blue* (1922) at $47.6 million, Claude Monet's *Peupliers au bord de l'Epte, crépuscule* (1891) at $49.2 million, and Mark Rothko's *No. 4 (Two Dominants) [Orange, Plum, Black]* (1950–51) at nearly $39 million. Two Warhols were pulled before the sale, highlighting ongoing challenges in selling high-value works at auction.

at christies 13 6 million marlene dumas painting sets new record for living female artist at auction

Christie's 21st-century evening sale in New York on Wednesday night totaled $96.5 million, surpassing last year's $80.3 million, though the auction was characterized by caution, few fireworks, and a reduced number of lots. The headline event was Marlene Dumas's painting *Miss January* (1997) selling for $13.6 million with premium, setting a new auction record for a living female artist. The work, estimated at $12–18 million, was guaranteed and sold to a client bidding through Christie's deputy chairman Sara Friedlander; Miami collectors Don and Mera Rubell were the consignors. Other notable results included new records for Simone Leigh, Emma McIntyre, and Louis Fratino, while the top lot was Jean-Michel Basquiat's *Baby Boom* (1982) at $23.4 million. Four of 43 lots were withdrawn, and several works failed to sell, including an Ellsworth Kelly canvas with a $2 million low estimate.

by the numbers despite 70 million giacometti failure sothebys made money at modern evening sale

Sotheby's Modern art evening sale in New York generated $186.4 million in total sales after fees, but the headline was the failure of Alberto Giacometti's 1955 sculpture *Grande tête mince (Grande tête de Diego)*, estimated at $70 million, which failed to receive a single bid. Despite the high-profile flop, Sotheby's walked away with $34.4 million in buyer's premium net of fees paid to third-party backers, and because it did not guarantee the Giacometti, it faced no financial risk from the unsold lot. The top seller was Pablo Picasso's *Homme assis* (1969), which sold for $15.1 million with fees. The sale's sell-through rate was 76.9 percent, and the hammer total of $152 million fell $88.3 million below the presale low estimate.

sothebys modern art may 2025 sale report giacometti

Sotheby's modern art evening sale in New York on Tuesday night achieved $186.4 million with buyer's premium across 60 lots, with a sell-through rate of 83.3%. Top lots included Pablo Picasso's *Homme assis* ($15.1 million), Georgia O'Keeffe's *Leaves of a Plant* ($13 million), and a new auction record for Paul Signac's *Saint-Georges. Couchant (Venise)* ($8.1 million). However, the sale was overshadowed by the failure of Alberto Giacometti's *Grande tête mince*, a 1955 bronze bust estimated north of $70 million, which went unsold after bidding stalled at $64 million.

giacometti bust fails to sell at sothebys may 2025 sale

A 1955 bronze bust by Alberto Giacometti, estimated at $70 million, failed to sell at Sotheby's modern evening auction in New York on May 13, 2025. The sculpture, from the estate of real estate magnate Sheldon Solow, was offered without a guarantee and bidding reached $64 million before the lot was pulled after four minutes, likely because the reserve price was set above that amount. Auctioneer Oliver Barker presided over the sale, which Sotheby's CEO Charles Stewart described as an organic auction moment despite the lack of a sale.

anna marie tendler other art fair

Anna Marie Tendler is presenting her interactive "House of Self Portrait Booth" at the Other Art Fair in Brooklyn, where she photographs fairgoers in a darkly romantic style inspired by her acclaimed 2021 self-portrait series "Rooms in the First House." The booth, which has previously appeared at the fair's Los Angeles and Chicago editions, features props from Tendler's own home, including a horned skull, a gramophone, and Victorian-style lampshades. Tendler's original series emerged from a period of personal struggle following her highly publicized divorce from comedian John Mulaney and an extended stay in a psychiatric hospital.

artist stuart semple trademark infringement lawsuit yves klein estate easy blue paint

British artist Stuart Semple has lost a trademark infringement lawsuit in a French court filed by the estate of Yves Klein. The court ruled that Semple's product “Easy Klein Incredibly Kleinish Blue” violated the Yves Klein trademark, ordering him to pay €16,000 ($18,200) in damages and legal fees. Semple, who claims he was unaware of the lawsuit until it was reported, has two months to appeal. The lawsuit was brought by Yves Amu Klein, the artist's son and operator of Pia Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with Blue Bay Limited, which holds the international trademark for “Yves Klein.” Semple released the paint in 2021 after a decade of development.

olo new color yolo stuart semple

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new color called "olo" that cannot be seen under normal conditions. The color, described as a highly saturated blue-green, was perceived by five human subjects during tests using a complex laser system and custom software named Oz. The team published their findings in *Science Advances* on April 18, explaining that olo results from stimulating only the medium-wavelength cone cells in the retina, a feat not possible with natural light. British artist Stuart Semple has since created a physical paint called YOLO, claiming it is the closest approximation to this elusive color, priced at $10,000 per 150ml bottle.

dutch municipality trashes of andy warhol print

The Dutch municipality of Maashorst accidentally threw out a valuable Andy Warhol silk-screen print of former Queen Beatrix, along with nearly 50 other artworks, during a town hall renovation. An independent investigation commissioned by the municipality, first reported by the New York Times, was inconclusive, and officials acknowledged the error in a letter to the council, stating that recovery of the missing works is unlikely. The Warhol print, from the Reigning Queens series (1985), is valued between $40,000 and $50,000.

hard choices marina abramovic longevity method

Art-world consultants Chen & Lampert have published a satirical quiz in Art in America that lampoons Marina Abramović's wellness line, the Longevity Method. The quiz presents ten multiple-choice questions mocking the artist's foray into selling tinctures and elixirs, such as Energy Drops and Immune Drops, which she claims contain ancient secrets for living well. The questions parody Abramović's performance art history and the commercialization of her brand, with options referencing her past works and the high cost of her products.

conductor art fair brooklyn powerhouse global majority artists

A new art fair called Conductor, backed by Powerhouse Arts, will debut in 2026 with a mission to center artists and galleries from the Global Majority—communities from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Indigenous Nations. A curated invitational preview runs May 7–11, 2025, at Powerhouse Arts' Gowanus space, featuring artists including Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, Khaled Jarrar, Modupeola Fadugba, and the Brazilian collective MAHKU. The fair aims to reduce barriers by focusing on young galleries and individual artists, and by fabricating work onsite to avoid shipping and customs costs.

The tiniest event can tear a hole. Sara MacKillop by Margaret Kross

Sara MacKillop's exhibition "The Cutaway View" at Good Weather in Chicago presents sculptures made from humble analog materials like blank wall calendars, empty shopping bags, and gift wrapping. The London-based artist alters these objects with minimal interventions—such as surgically cut holes in shopping bags to accommodate vinyl records—drawing attention to the ephemera and texture of retail culture. Her series "Calendar Houses" (2021–ongoing) uses archive boxes and wall calendars to create miniature modernist dwellings that critique systems of order and self-optimization.

Julia Heyward “Voices of Many Voices” at Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster

The Westfälischer Kunstverein in Münster is presenting "Voices of Many Voices," a significant exhibition dedicated to the pioneering work of Julia Heyward. The show highlights Heyward’s multidisciplinary practice, which emerged from the 1970s New York performance scene, blending vocal experimentation, monologues, and complex multimedia orchestrations. By juxtaposing music, image, and language, the exhibition captures the artist's unique ability to navigate emotional extremes and the "simultaneity of opposites."

8 Art Films Worth Watching in May

8 Kunstfilme, die sich im Mai lohnen

Monopol magazine presents eight art films worth streaming in May, including a documentary featuring 40,000 slides from critic Jerry Saltz capturing the 1990s New York art scene, Shirin Neshat's film "Women Without Men" about women in 1953 Tehran, Christian Petzold's new film "Miroirs No. 3," and a documentary on the Shroud of Turin. The roundup also includes a politically charged drama directed by Yael Bartana and a Dada-metal film, offering a diverse selection of art-related cinema.

11 Art Shows to See in the Hudson Valley in May 2026

The article surveys 11 art exhibitions opening across the Hudson Valley in May 2026, highlighting a regional preoccupation with structure, materiality, and resistance to singular narratives. Featured shows include "Surface, Structure, String" at Hudson Hall, a textile survey curated by Richard Saja with artists like Portia Munson and Laleh Khoramian; "Jose Picayo: 35 Years in Photographs" at Robin Rice Gallery; "The Linda McCartney Retrospective: From the Light" at the Fenimore Art Museum; "Carol Seitz: Growth in Difficult Places" at Convey/er/or; and "Stephen Olivier: Hazmat" at ASK in Kingston, among others.

Art Lovers Movie Club: The Archive

ArtReview's Art Lovers Movie Club has published a comprehensive online archive of all the artists' videos it has screened monthly on its website. The archive lists dozens of films from 2021 through 2026, featuring works by a diverse, international roster of artists including Hikaru Fujii, Mary Helena Clark, Gê Viana, and many others, with specific screening dates for each.

Robust Sales at Sotheby’s, Phillips Suggest Art Market Upswing

The May 19 evening sales at Sotheby’s and Phillips generated a combined $419.1 million, signaling a potential recovery in the contemporary and modern art market. Sotheby’s brought in $303.9 million—60% more than the previous year—led by a record-breaking $48.4 million Matisse, while Phillips achieved $115.2 million, more than double its 2025 sales. Both auctions saw high sell-through rates, with 98% and 100% of lots sold respectively. Notable lots included a $42.6 million Picasso, a $29.4 million van Gogh drawing, and strong performances by female artists like Lee Bontecou, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler.

Christie’s Auction Rakes in $1.1 Billion as Pollock Sells For Triple Record Price

Christie’s generated $1.1 billion in back-to-back evening sales on May 18, driven by record-breaking prices for major artworks. The top lot was Jackson Pollock’s 1948 drip painting *Number 7A*, which sold for $181.2 million with fees, tripling the artist’s previous auction record. Other highlights included Constantin Brancusi’s *Danaïde* (ca. 1913) at $107.6 million, Mark Rothko’s *No. 15 (Two Greens and Red Stripe)* (1964) at $98.4 million, and Alice Neel’s *Mother and Child (Nancy and Olivia)* (1967) at $5.7 million. The sales featured works from the collections of S. I. Newhouse and Agnes Gund.

A tour of 10 must-see booths at the miart 2026 fair in Milan

Un giro in 10 stand da non mancare alla fiera miart 2026 a Milano

The 30th edition of miart, Milan’s international modern and contemporary art fair, has launched at the Allianz MiCo South Wing under the artistic direction of Nicola Ricciardi. Titled "New Directions," the 2026 edition features 160 galleries from 24 countries, organized into sections like Emergent, Established, and Established Anthology. Despite some logistical complaints regarding the new layout, the opening saw high attendance and early optimism from dealers regarding sales.

Friend of X. A Conversation with Raque Ford by Qingyuan Deng

Artist Raque Ford discusses her recent exhibitions, "The Barkeeper’s Friend" at Greene Naftali and "Cry Baby" at Kunstverein Gartenhaus, highlighting her unique approach to language and materiality. Ford utilizes industrial materials like reflective acrylic, Mylar, and thermal printers to transform pop lyrics, overheard speech, and diaristic fragments into physical installations. Her work explores the tension between public performance and private interiority, often using scale to manipulate the viewer's emotional response to text.

Pussy Riot and Topless Activists Rally Against Russian Pavilion at Venice Biennale

On May 6, 2026, the art collective Pussy Riot and the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN staged a protest outside the Russian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale. Approximately 50 activists released pink smoke and blue-and-yellow flares evoking the Ukrainian flag, while FEMEN members staged a topless protest with anti-war slogans like “RUSSIA KILLS, BIENNALE EXHIBITS.” Italian police and Biennale security blocked access to the pavilion, and some Pussy Riot activists were tackled after entering. The protest targeted Russia’s participation in the Biennale for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with activists condemning the event for lending legitimacy to Russian officials and artists aligned with the government.

7 Shows to See in Milan Right Now

Could ‘The Antwerp Six’ Thrive in Today’s Fashion Industry?

Milan's art scene is currently anchored by a series of high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair, ranging from Cao Fei’s exploration of global agriculture to Anselm Kiefer’s monumental tributes to female alchemists. Key highlights include solo presentations by established figures like Liliana Moro and emerging voices, alongside thematic shows that bridge the gap between industrial history and contemporary digital aesthetics.

7 Shows to See in Milan Right Now

Gallery Applications Open for Frieze Abu Dhabi

Milan's art scene is currently anchored by several high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair. Key highlights include Cao Fei’s exploration of global farming and technology at Pirelli HangarBicocca, alongside Anselm Kiefer’s monumental tributes to female alchemists. Other notable shows feature historical and contemporary dialogues, ranging from Italian post-war masters to experimental multimedia installations.

7 Shows to See in Milan Right Now

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Milan's art scene is currently anchored by several high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair. Highlights include Cao Fei’s exploration of global farming and technology at Pirelli HangarBicocca, alongside Anselm Kiefer’s monumental portraits of female alchemists. Other notable shows feature diverse practices ranging from historical rediscoveries to contemporary installations across the city's major institutions and galleries.

Marsha Pels Presents a Material Memorandum on Grief

Milan's art scene is currently anchored by a series of high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair, ranging from Cao Fei’s exploration of global agriculture to Anselm Kiefer’s monumental tributes to female alchemists. Marsha Pels stands out with a deeply personal presentation that utilizes industrial materials to navigate the complexities of grief and memory.

Isa Genzken Asks What Stories Buildings Tell Us

Milan's art scene is currently anchored by a series of high-profile exhibitions coinciding with the Miart fair. Highlights include Isa Genzken’s architectural investigations at the Triennale Milano, Cao Fei’s exploration of global agriculture at Pirelli HangarBicocca, and Anselm Kiefer’s monumental tributes to female alchemists. These shows span the city's major institutions, offering a diverse look at how contemporary artists engage with history, technology, and the built environment.

A West Coast First: A Retrospective of SFMOMA’s KAWS Exhibit

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) concluded its six-month exhibition "KAWS: FAMILY," the artist's first major museum retrospective on the West Coast. The show featured 30 years of Brian Donnelly's (KAWS) work, from early advertising recreations to monumental sculptures, with a central theme of kinship. It attracted a record influx of young adults and families, helping SFMOMA recover from a 30% drop in annual foot traffic between 2019 and 2024.

WATCH | Steelman to host studio tour with Arts and the Park Saturday and Sunday

Bethannie Newsom Steelman will host a studio tour at 415 Park Ave. in Hot Springs on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m., as part of Arts and the Park. The event features live painting by Steelman, musical performances by Ricko Donovan, DJ Schaeffer, Gino Del Ray, and the band Inoculated Log, as well as New Orleans-style snowballs from Spa City Snowballs. Steelman, who creates murals for businesses, began renting her studio in April and is excited to share her creative process with the public.

Max Ernst | Untitled (ca. 1949) | Available for Sale

Max Ernst | Untitled (ca. 1949) | Available for Sale

A rare miniature gouache on paper by Surrealist pioneer Max Ernst, titled 'Untitled' (ca. 1949), has been made available for sale through PM Gallery in Paris. The unique work, measuring only 3.1 x 2.85 cm, is presented in a bespoke silver and 18K gold frame adorned with ruby beads, created by the artist and jeweler Marcial Berro. The piece boasts a distinguished provenance, having previously belonged to the influential Parisian gallery owner Édouard Loeb and featured in the 1970 retrospective at the Württemberg Art Association.