‘Africa in the Spotlight’ exhibition in Lisbon

An exhibition titled 'Africa in the Spotlight' has opened at the Lisbon Alliance Française, curated by Tatyana Jolivet. The show features seven contemporary African artists from Burkina Faso, Angola, and São Tomé e Príncipe, including Casimir Bationo (CasziB), SDZabila, Flore Kaboré, and Valdemar Dória. Jolivet, a Russian-born curator based in Lisbon who runs the online Jolie Art Gallery, organized the exhibition to promote cultural diversity and dialogue, highlighting the deep-rooted African presence in Portugal dating back five centuries.

Art Leven First Nations And Australian Fine Art Auction Opens This Week - Scoop

Art Leven, a Sydney-based gallery focused on First Nations art, is opening its First Nations and Australian Fine Art Auction and Exhibition, headlined by the private collection of the late Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE. The exhibition runs from 15–19 May 2026 at Art Leven's new Woolloomooloo gallery, with the live auction on 19 May at Artspace. The sale includes approximately 115 artworks, with 79 from the Bashir-Shehadie collection, featuring works by Balang John Mawurndjul AM, Arthur Boyd, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Albert Namatjira, and others. The collection reflects decades of travel to remote art centres and close relationships with artists, supported by archival material like handwritten notes and early catalogues.

Fátima González Doesn’t Want You to Shy Away From Asking Your Art Questions

Fátima González, founder of Mexico City-based gallery Campeche, recounts her journey from working the front desk at Kurimanzutto to opening her own gallery. After earning a graduate degree at the School of Visual Arts in New York and returning to Kurimanzutto in sales, she left in February 2020, just before lockdown. During the pandemic, she planned her gallery, found a space in one day, and opened with a group show of all-women artists from Mexico City. Campeche is now making its Frieze New York debut.

Tuan Vu | Nhat Binh (2026) | Art & Prints

This article presents the artwork "Nhat Binh" (2026) by Vietnamese Canadian artist Tuan Vu, offered through Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery. The painting, executed in oil and oil stick on linen, measures 35 2/5 × 29 1/2 inches and is a unique, hand-signed work accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The listing includes details about the artist's background, his immigration to Canada as a refugee, his shift from engineering to full-time art practice in 2021, and his exhibition history including a solo show at Simard Bilodeau Contemporary in 2023 and subsequent shows in Berlin, London, New York, and across Canada.

Trial Begins in Brent Sikkema Murder-For-Hire Case

Opening statements and witness testimony began on Tuesday in a Manhattan court for the murder-for-hire trial following the 2024 killing of New York art dealer Brent Sikkema. Alejandro Triana Prevez, a Cuban national, was arrested shortly after Sikkema was found murdered in his Rio de Janeiro apartment, and claims that Sikkema's ex-husband, Daniel Carrera Sikkema, offered him $200,000 to commit the crime. Carrera Sikkema was charged in February 2025 with hiring Prevez. Prosecutors presented evidence including phone records, financial transactions, and witness testimony, while the defense argued the case relies on circumstantial evidence and that Carrera Sikkema's statements were made amid a contentious divorce.

Los Angeles Sees Cultural Explosion: AI Art Museums, Immersive Exhibits, and Iconic Festivals Set to Redefine US Tourism

Los Angeles is undergoing a major cultural expansion in 2026, with several high-profile museum openings and immersive art experiences set to debut between June and December. Key developments include Dataland 3.0, the world's first dedicated Museum of AI Arts, created by Refik Anadol Studio at The Grand LA; the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 100,000-square-foot gallery in Exposition Park designed by MAD Architects; and a new permanent installation by the art collective Meow Wolf. These are joined by recurring events such as LA Pride 2026, Cali Vibes 2026, the German Currents Film Festival, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the L.A. County Holiday Celebration, creating a dense cultural calendar.

Andy Warhol exhibition at Saint Laurent Rive Droite turns Paris boutique into pop art gallery

Since April 23, 2026, the Saint Laurent Rive Droite boutique in Paris has been hosting an exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol titled “Objets banals”. Curated by Anthony Vaccarello, the show features a selection of Polaroids and 35 mm photographs taken from the 1960s onward, revealing a more intimate and personal dimension of the pop art master. The installation is immersive and minimalist, with photographs interacting with Saint Laurent collections, design pieces, and exclusive objects, blurring the boundaries between commerce, museum, and artistic manifesto. All works on display are available for sale, distinguishing the boutique from a traditional museum.

Building Through Change, Jean-David Malat, Founder of JD Malat Gallery on resilience, risk and the evolving art scene in Dubai

Jean-David Malat, founder of JD Malat Gallery, opened a new outpost in Downtown Dubai in early 2025, expanding from his established Mayfair space in London. The gallery launched with a group show, *Carte Blanche*, and has since hosted solo exhibitions, with plans for a *Made in UAE* initiative that received over 1,000 applications. Malat cites the slowing London market and growing momentum in the UAE as key factors in his decision to invest in Dubai, where he spent a month building relationships with collectors and the local community before opening.

Will Higgins uncovers the Indy 500's wacky history in new exhibit

Former IndyStar reporter Will Higgins has opened a new exhibition titled "The Speedway's Attic" at the Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), running until August 16. The show presents nine quirky, true stories from the margins of the Indianapolis 500, featuring artifacts recreated by Higgins based on his own research. One highlighted tale involves a fake 1938 Mercedes Benz convertible linked to Adolf Hitler, which appeared at the 1949 Indy 500 with mannequins and alleged "Hitler's wife's underwear." Higgins, known for his gonzo journalism style, previously created exhibits like "The American Society of Presidential Urine Collectors" and "The Museum of Fabulosity."

Summer 2026 Santa Fe gallery shows are awash in new works

Santa Fe galleries are presenting a wave of new summer 2026 exhibitions, featuring works by artists such as Kate Rivers, Rick Stevens, and Guillermo Galindo. Shows range from Rivers' book-based explorations of human connection at Kay Contemporary to Stevens' landscape-inspired abstract paintings and Galindo's multimedia, border-dissolving photographic works at Aurelia Gallery. The exhibitions run from May through September, with openings and receptions scheduled across the city's historic Canyon Road and Plaza districts.

New film about forgers is ‘Miami Vice’ for the art-world crowd

The article reviews 'Forge', a new crime thriller directed by Jing Ai Ng, which follows Chinese American siblings Coco and Raymond Zhang who forge early 20th-century landscape paintings and sell them as authentic works in South Florida. The film features FBI agent Emily (Kelly Marie Tran) investigating the scheme, while the forgers navigate a world of wealthy collectors, a hurricane-destroyed art collection, and a family legacy of deception. The movie is described as 'Miami Vice' for the art-world crowd, with a dusky palette and pulsing soundtrack set against the backdrop of Art Basel Miami Beach's booming art market.

Art Collectors Bet on Known Quantities Amid Market Reset

The Impressionist and Modern art category became the most lucrative market segment in 2025, generating $4.7 billion in sales—a 29.5% increase from 2024—as collectors favored established names amid a cautious market. The $10-million-plus bracket surged 68.6% to $1.5 billion, while the number of lots sold hit a decade high of 122,213. Postwar and contemporary art ranked second with $4.1 billion, but its average price per lot dropped to a decade low of $23,027. Old Masters saw a 41.2% rise to $708.6 million, partly driven by the Thomas A. Saunders III collection at Sotheby’s, though that sale fell short of estimates. Ultra-contemporary art continued its four-year decline, falling 26.5% to $229.9 million, with average prices tumbling 72.4% from their 2021 peak.

971 Art Gallery Boosts Dubai's Position as a Global Hub for Luxury Contemporary Art and Investment

971 Art Gallery, a new luxury contemporary art space, has opened in Dubai, positioning the city as a growing hub for high-end art and investment. The gallery aims to attract international collectors and investors by showcasing blue-chip contemporary artists and offering a curated experience that blends art with luxury lifestyle.

Oklahoma Arts Council receives largest gift to state art collection

The Oklahoma Arts Council has received the largest gift in the history of the Oklahoma State Art Collection: ten works by influential Native artists from The Howard L. and Mary Ellen Meredith Collection, donated by America Meredith and Samonia Byford in honor of their parents. The donated works include pieces by Benjamin Harjo Jr., Norma Howard, Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings, Ruthe Blalock Jones, Shan Goshorn, Doc Tate Nevaquaya, Jane Osti, Juanita Pahdopony, Jeri Redcorn, and Dick West. The artworks are now on display in the Betty Price Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol, alongside two other recent acquisitions.

Ukrainians seeking cultural escape from war’s brutality find comfort and resilience at Kyiv art fair

The Art Kyiv fair, titled "This is Normal," has been held in Kyiv, Ukraine, as a contemporary art event designed to help society cope with the realities of war. Organized by director Anna Avetova, the fair features hundreds of works by Ukrainian artists at the Lavra Gallery, deliberately avoiding any booths dedicated to the war itself. The event aims to provide cultural continuity, emotional sustenance, and a boost to the domestic art market, which has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion.

14th Kibria Printmaking Fair: Celebrating a distinct artistic tradition

The 14th Kibria Printmaking Fair concluded on May 9 at Kala Kendra in Lalmatia, Bangladesh, as part of a month-long printmaking festival running from May 1 to May 23. The fair brought together printmaking studios and institutions from across the country, alongside works by pioneering late artists Safiuddin Ahmed and Mohammad Kibria. It was inaugurated by artists Rafiqun Nabi and Monirul Islam, with a special exhibition titled "Pioneers of Printmaking" showcasing early works by key figures who established printmaking as a distinct artistic language in Bangladesh. The festival also includes workshops, artist talks, and a forthcoming "Contemporary Printmaking Exhibition" from May 12 to May 23.

At TEFAF New York, Lesser-Known Artists Delight

At TEFAF New York, held at the Park Avenue Armory, the art fair known for its European roots showcased a range of works. Our critic highlights five lesser-known artists who stood out, offering fresh perspectives that cut through the traditional art-world star system.

Can Three Auction Houses Sell $2.6 Billion Worth of Art in One Week?

The New York Times reports that three major auction houses are poised to sell $2.6 billion worth of art in a single week during the spring season, driven by five luxury artworks. The sales are among the most anticipated in years, with major buyers shifting focus away from female and younger artists toward more traditional, established names.

How Much Art Is Too Much? A Guide to the New York Fairs.

New York City is hosting a wave of art fairs this week, featuring Latin American galleries, world-class photography, and upcycled design. The article highlights seven fairs worth visiting among many, offering a guide to navigate the crowded event landscape.

How do art auctions change if everything online seems like a video game?

Come cambiano le aste d’arte se online tutto sembra un video game?

The article examines how digital infrastructure has transformed art auctions from exclusive in-person rituals into real-time competitive interfaces. Online sales, which peaked during the pandemic, now account for about 16% of the global art market in 2025 (down from 18% in 2024), according to the Art Market Report by Art Basel and UBS. Digital tools enable instant bidding, global streaming, and discreet participation, allowing collectors to compete without physical presence. The piece highlights the gamification of auctions, noting that ArtTactic has launched Art Forecaster, a platform where users predict auction prices in tournament-style competitions, blending market engagement with ludic elements.

Art gallery owner pursues expansion of historic Museum Mile building

Salon 94 founder Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn is pursuing an expansion of a historic building on Museum Mile at 3 East 89th Street in Manhattan. The project aims to enlarge the gallery's footprint on the Upper East Side, a move reported by Crain's New York Business.

Fair Play Art Fair launches in London with artist-first model offering free exhibition stands

A new artist-led art fair called Fair Play Art Fair will launch in London from October 15–18, 2026, at One Marylebone. Founded by Ryan Stanier, creator of The Other Art Fair, the event offers selected artists free exhibition stands instead of requiring upfront fees, operating on a commission-based model that takes 50% of sales. The fair will run alongside Frieze London and include immersive installations, sound art, dining, and live performances, with a curated selection process overseen by an independent committee.

Explore art’s future at Hong Kong’s Affordable Art Fair this May

Hong Kong's Affordable Art Fair (AAF) returns in May with the theme “See Art. Love Art. Own Art.”, featuring 106 local and international exhibitors—up from 98 last year—and artworks priced from HK$1,000 (US$128). The fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, aims to make art accessible to new and seasoned collectors alike, with a focus on transactions under US$50,000. Founder Will Ramsay highlights growing confidence in this market tier, citing a report by Affordable Art Fair × ArtTactic that shows 69% of galleries expect sales growth and that art fairs generate 44% of gallery revenues.

Asian Spring 2026: dates and program of the Parisian art festival for lovers of Asia

The 9th edition of Printemps Asiatique (Asian Spring) will take place from June 3 to 12, 2026, across Parisian galleries, museums, and auction houses. Modeled on New York’s Asia Week and London’s Asian Art, the festival features a shared calendar of exhibitions, tours, talks, and auctions, with nearly thirty galleries, ten museums and art venues, and thirteen auction houses participating. This year, Korea is the spotlight country, with dedicated exhibitions and artistic itineraries. Key venues include the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, Musée Cernuschi, Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris, and Musée du Louvre, alongside auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, and others.

“Crowned by Resilience” , 2026

Art R us gallery in Naples, Florida, is offering "Crowned by Resilience" (2026), a painting by Nigerian contemporary artist Bonu Deji. The acrylic and oil on canvas work explores themes of strength, endurance, and identity, and is priced at US$1,400. Deji, born in 2003 and based in Lagos, creates figurative works addressing poverty, labor, and human dignity, and has exhibited at Art R us and The Zebra Gallery.

"The Watchful Savior" , 2026

Bonu Deji's painting "The Watchful Savior" (2026) is being offered for sale through Art R us gallery in Naples, Florida. The acrylic and oil on canvas work, measuring 25 × 31 inches, is priced at US$1,400 and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Deji, a Nigerian contemporary visual artist born in 2003 and based in Lagos, creates figurative works exploring poverty, labor, resilience, and human dignity. The piece was previously exhibited in the gallery's 2026 solo presentation of the artist and in the 2025 group show "Faces of Us" at The Zebra Gallery.

David Hills Gallery in Orleans celebrates one year

David Hills Gallery in Orleans, Massachusetts, is celebrating its first anniversary with a public event on May 16 at 4 p.m. at its Route 6A location. The celebration includes a talk by local food expert and author Elspeth Hay, a spring refresh of the gallery, and a renewed seasonal presentation of David Hills’ photography, which focuses on commercial fishing and Cape Cod’s waters.

Plum Bottom Hosts Outdoor Art Show

Plum Bottom Gallery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, will host its annual outdoor art show on Memorial Day weekend, May 23–24, 2025, from 11 am to 4 pm. The event features sculpture, glass, painting, jewelry, and mixed media works by a roster of nationally collected artists, with featured artists Sue Pruss, Rose Kleman, and Curtis Hall appearing on Saturday. The gallery has also recently added Wisconsin-based photographer Tommy Nigbor to its artist roster, known for his minimalist landscapes and rural scenes.

Frieze New York Opens Strong, But the Real Test Is Just Beginning

Frieze New York has opened with strong early sales, particularly in the Focus section, which is dedicated to emerging and underrepresented artists. This year's Focus prize was awarded to W Galería for its presentation of Seba Calfuqueo, a Mapuche artist whose work addresses colonialism, environmentalism, and gender identity through ceramic sculptures and hair-based materials. Her pieces are priced between $8,000 and $40,000, reflecting the market's growing interest in politically engaged contemporary art.

Art market trends 2025: Impressionist & Modern hit $4.7B, up 29.5%

According to the 2025 art market trends, Impressionist and Modern art generated $4.7 billion in auction sales, a 29.5% increase from 2024, overtaking Postwar and Contemporary art to become the year's largest auction segment. Meanwhile, Ultra-contemporary art continued its decline, and Old Masters gained ground, signaling a broader shift in collector behavior toward established, blue-chip works.