art market minute jun 30

London's summer sales season opened with subdued results, totaling just $134.2 million across Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips—a 78% drop from the equivalent sales in 2015. A standout lot was Jenny Saville's painting *Mirror* (2011–12), which sold for £2.1 million at Sotheby's on June 24. Meanwhile, a group of art-world power players have launched a new advisory firm called New Perspectives Art Partners, and France has announced a $316 million international architectural competition to expand the Louvre and address chronic overcrowding.

obama portrait national portrait gallery

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, unveiled the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on February 12, 2018. The portraits were painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively, marking the first time the museum has commissioned African American artists to paint a presidential couple. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including former Vice President Joe Biden, director Steven Spielberg, and actor Tom Hanks. Wiley depicted Obama seated in a chair surrounded by botanicals symbolizing his heritage, while Sherald painted Michelle Obama in her signature grayscale palette wearing a geometric dress inspired by Piet Mondrian and Gee's Bend quilts.

the mastermind film review kelly reichardt josh oconnor

Kelly Reichardt's new film *The Mastermind*, starring Josh O'Connor as a carpenter and family man who turns art thief, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and will be released by Mubi. The film follows O'Connor's character, J.B., as he plots a heist inspired by a real 1972 robbery of the Worcester Art Museum, targeting paintings by American modernist Arthur Dove. The movie blends suspense, humor, and meticulous visual storytelling, with Reichardt drawing on the aesthetic of 1970s America and the work of photographers Stephen Shore and William Eggleston.

white house art obamas

Barack and Michelle Obama have added several modern and contemporary artworks to the White House collection during their final year in residence. New acquisitions include works by Mark Rothko, Edward Hopper, Sam Francis, Josef Albers, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alma Thomas, replacing traditional portraits of former first ladies. The pieces were sourced partly through museum loans, such as two Hopper paintings from the Whitney Museum of American Art for the Oval Office.

neh stipends trump

The Trump administration is moving to eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) while simultaneously cutting its funding and reshaping its priorities. In early May, the NEH announced $9.55 million for 68 projects, a sharp drop from $26.2 million for 238 projects the previous year. The number of Summer Stipends was slashed from nearly 100 to just 18, with total funding cut by three-fourths to $144,000. Only one Media Project grant was awarded, down from ten. The administration has also sought to lay off NEH workers, cancel grants, and divert funds to a National Garden of American Heroes, a presidential pet project.

michelle grabner kohler independent

Michelle Grabner, a Milwaukee-based artist known for examining overlooked visual languages, has created a new series of porcelain sculptures at the Kohler Company's MakerSpace in Wisconsin. These works, which mimic janitorial supplies like sponges, sinks, and mop carts, are being shown at the Independent art fair this week with Cleveland's Abattoir Gallery. Grabner, who co-curated the 2014 Whitney Biennial and served as the inaugural artistic director of FRONT International, continues to expand her practice beyond painting into industrial materials, while also holding two concurrent museum retrospectives: "Underdone Potato" at the Schneider Museum of Art and "Under the Sink" at the Haggerty Museum.

kids damage art

A child under the age of five recently scratched a Mark Rothko painting at a museum in the Netherlands, forcing its removal for restoration. The article compiles several notorious incidents of children accidentally damaging artworks, including a 12-year-old boy punching a hole through a $1.5 million Baroque painting by Paolo Porpora in Taipei, a 4-year-old shattering a 3,500-year-old vase at the Hecht Museum in Israel, a girl climbing a Donald Judd sculpture at Tate Modern, and kids breaking a glass artwork by Shelley Xue at the Shanghai Museum of Glass. In most cases, the damage was accidental, driven by curiosity or misinterpretation, and often involved lapses in adult supervision.

aia new talent event 2025

Art in America hosted a launch event for its 2025 "New Talent" issue at PMC's headquarters in New York, bringing together 20 emerging artists and two established luminaries—Carroll Dunham and Rochelle Feinstein—for a panel discussion moderated by senior editor Emily Watlington. The conversation explored the art world's current shift from figuration to abstraction, with Dunham and Feinstein reflecting on their own careers and the evolving dynamics of painting.

Stockholm's Market Art Fair is a new model art fair from which to learn something

La Market Art Fair di Stoccolma è un nuovo modello di fiera d’arte da cui imparare qualcosa

The Market Art Fair in Stockholm, founded in 2006 by galleries from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, held its 20th edition from April 23-26, 2026, at Magasin 9 during Stockholm Art Week. The fair features 54 exhibitors from 8 countries and 150 artists, with 80% of works tied to the Nordic context and 20% international. Highlights include a solo presentation by Olafur Eliasson at i8 Gallery (Reykjavík) featuring his sculpture *Rare metallic plant* (2026), and a preview of the Nordic Pavilion at the Venice Biennale by artist Benjamin Orlow at Season 4 Episode 6 gallery. The fair has recently opened its selection to international galleries, a shift welcomed by collectors.

Our Summer Art Reading List

Hyperallergic's summer art reading list features a curated selection of art books, including Kory Stamper's 'True Color' about the Merriam-Webster color definer, Megan O'Grady's essay collection on art as necessity, and 'O'Keeffe-isms' drawn from Georgia O'Keeffe's writings. The list also highlights art detective mysteries like 'The Case of the Disappearing Gauguin' by Stephanie Brown and provenance stories from the San Antonio Museum of Art, alongside upcoming Yale University Press titles on Anni Albers, Dorothea Tanning, and Edward Steichen. Additional coverage includes an exhibition of Jack Kerouac's letters and photographs in NYC, and the Printed Matter art book fair in Los Angeles.

New York Galleries: Openings and Closings (04/27-05/03)

art criticism contemporary art crisis trump gaza

The article, written by an art critic for Cultured, opens by describing recent U.S. government actions under Executive Order 14253, including the National Park Service's restoration of a monument to Confederate General Albert Pike and a White House letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III ordering a review of Smithsonian programming to align with a directive to "celebrate American exceptionalism." The critic notes Bunch's balancing act of cooperating while asserting the Smithsonian's independent authority. The piece then pivots to the state of art criticism, referencing Domenick Ammirati's essay on the perpetual "crisis in criticism," and highlights Marco Brambilla's exhibition "Limit of Control" at bitforms gallery as the year's most under-appreciated show, praising its use of AI to explore political violence and protest.

art collector mistake guide

The article compiles personal anecdotes from several art collectors—Laurent Asscher, Suzanne Syz, Rob and Eric Thomas-Suwall, Toby Milstein Schulman, and Danielle Falls—who share mistakes they made while building their collections. Asscher recounts buying a lesser Basquiat at Christie's before quickly reselling it to acquire a superior work at Phillips; Syz regrets buying a piece because others wanted it; the Thomas-Suwalls missed out on a Dominique Fung diptych; Schulman accidentally bought a work attributed 'after Keith Haring' at a charity auction; and Falls reflects on her early eagerness as a young trustee of the Bronx Museum.

Stockholm's Market Art Fair wants to prove the 'periphery is now essential'

The 20th edition of Stockholm's Market Art Fair for Modern and contemporary art opens in a new waterfront venue at Magasin 9 in the Frihamnen docks area, running until 26 April. This year, 54 dealers—mostly from the Nordics—are joined by international galleries from the US and UK, including Anthony Wilkinson gallery (London) and albertz benda (New York). The fair expanded its reach last year by opening applications to galleries without existing Nordic ties. Notable presentations include new works by Ólafur Elíasson (i8 gallery, Iceland), dystopian paintings by Munan Øvrelid (Galleri Haaken, Oslo), and textile works by Petra Lindholm (Magnus Karlsson gallery). Prices range from SEK 28,000 to €195,000, with strong early sales reported.

Art Dubai Unveils Leaner ‘Special Edition’ Built Around Regional Core

Art Dubai has announced a streamlined "special edition" for its 2026 iteration, featuring a reduced roster of approximately 75 exhibitors. Scheduled for May 15–17 at Madinat Jumeirah, the fair is pivoting toward a regional core, with 60 percent of participants hailing from the Gulf and Southwest Asia. To address economic pressures and regional instability, the fair is implementing a novel risk-sharing financial model where booth costs are partially tied to sales performance.

alserkal art month dubai art week expansion art dubai 2026

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is expanding its traditional Art Week into a five-week "Art Month" running from April 18 to May 18. This strategic extension includes 16 gallery exhibitions, over 100 public events, and a new commercially focused group show featuring 12 UAE-based galleries. The initiative aims to provide a more sustainable platform for the local art ecosystem, especially as the Art Dubai fair has been rescheduled to mid-May and adapted in response to regional instability.

untitled art miami beach 2025 exhibitor list

Untitled Art, Miami Beach has announced the 157 exhibitors for its 2025 edition, running December 3–7 on Miami Beach. The fair introduces a new “Artist Spotlight” section organized by artist Petra Cortright, alongside its main Galleries section and the reimagined Nest section curated by Jonny Tanna. Notable first-time exhibitors include Meliksetian | Briggs, PALMA, and Soho Revue in the main section, while several galleries have switched from NADA and Art Basel Miami Beach, including Kavi Gupta returning after a lawsuit hiatus. The fair also features Allison Glenn as curator of site-specific Special Projects.

emily cole museum show

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York, is hosting the largest exhibition of Emily Cole's work since the 19th century. Emily Cole (1843–1913), the daughter of Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole, took up painting in his studio as an adult, creating delicate botanical studies on porcelain ceramics. The show features over 100 pieces from the museum's collection, including works on paper and painted china, alongside contemporary responses from eight women artists such as Ann Agee, Jacqueline Bishop, and Francesca DiMattio.

How to Feel the Benefits of Art, According to Psychologists

Recent psychological research confirms that engaging with visual art provides significant physical and mental health benefits, including the alleviation of depression, anxiety, and stress. Studies indicate that viewing art can also enhance cognitive functioning and social skills, prompting new initiatives to explore the specific mechanisms behind these wellness improvements.

overlooked no more jack whitten ascends with a stellar retrospective at moma

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has opened "Jack Whitten: The Messenger," a major posthumous retrospective featuring nearly 200 objects, mostly paintings, by the late artist Jack Whitten. Curated by MoMA's curator at large Michelle Kuo, the exhibition occupies MoMA's top-floor gallery and is arranged largely chronologically, highlighting Whitten's experimental techniques such as using dried acrylic tesserae and extruding paint through screens. The show includes early works from the 1960s and later mosaic compositions, offering a comprehensive view of his career.

City Life Org - New York Art World Celebrates Angela Davis, Amy Sherald, Clara Wu Tsai, Crystal McCrary, Raymond McGuire at Awards Dinner in NYC

The Gordon Parks Foundation held its annual Awards Dinner and Auction at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, raising nearly $2 million to support its mission of social justice through the arts. The gala honored a distinguished group of changemakers, including activist Angela Davis, painter Amy Sherald, philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai, producer Crystal McCrary, and businessman Raymond McGuire. Hosted by Kaseem Dean (Swizz Beatz) and Executive Director Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr., the event celebrated the enduring legacy of Gordon Parks and his commitment to documenting and advancing civil rights.

Guggenheim New York Announces Spring and Summer Public Programs

The Guggenheim New York has announced its spring and summer 2026 public programs, featuring a range of events including a performance lecture by LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen on May 18, a conversation between artist Carol Bove and curator Katherine Brinson on June 2, and the annual Museum Mile Festival on June 9. Other highlights include Late Shift evening events with live music, family-friendly activities like Stroller Hour and Art Cart, Teen Circle and Teen Tuesdays, and a screening of Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's video work "Zidane, a 21st century portrait" in celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poet-in-Residence Patrick Rosal will also launch summer activations.

Amy Sherald comes home

Amy Sherald, the celebrated painter known for her official portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, brings her traveling exhibition 'American Sublime' to Atlanta's High Museum of Art, where it will be on view from May 15 to September 27. The show, the largest presentation of her work to date, marks a homecoming for Sherald, who was born in Columbus, Georgia, and graduated from Clark Atlanta University. The exhibition includes paintings that explore themes of identity, the American South, and the Black experience, and features works such as 'A God Blessed Land (Empire of Dirt)' (2022) and 'They Call Me Redbone, but I'd Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake' (2009).

FAD News: Serpentine x FLAG Art Foundation Prize Announces Star-Studded Selection Committee

The Serpentine x FLAG Art Foundation Prize has announced its selection committee for the inaugural award, the largest contemporary art prize in the UK given to a single artist. The five-person jury includes Michelle Kuo (Chief Curator at Large and Publisher at MoMA), Venus Lau (director of Museum MACAN), Hans Ulrich Obrist, Jon Rider, and artist Rirkrit Tiravanija. The committee met in London on 23rd April to select the first recipient, who will be announced on 12th May. The prize awards £200,000 biennially over ten years, totaling £1 million across five artists, with each recipient developing a new body of work culminating in exhibitions at Serpentine in London and The FLAG Art Foundation in New York.

Amy Sherald’s Show Sets Visitor Record at Baltimore Museum of Art

Amy Sherald's traveling mid-career survey, 'American Sublime,' has set a new attendance record at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), drawing 63,000 visitors as of early February with an expected final total of 75,000. This makes it the museum's most-attended show since 2000. The exhibition features nearly 50 grisaille portraits of Black Americans and was previously shown at SFMOMA and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

What’s on now at San Francisco museums, January 2026

A roundup of current and upcoming exhibitions at San Francisco museums in January 2026 highlights several shows closing soon, including "Manet and Morisot" at the Legion of Honor and "Suzanne Jackson: What is Love" at SFMOMA, both ending March 1. New exhibitions opening include "The art of Cece Carpio" at SOMArts on Jan. 30, and "Trina Michelle Robinson: Open Your Eyes to Water" at 500 Capp Street and Root Division in February. The de Young Museum features "Boom and Bust: Photographing Northern California" and artist Rose B. Simpson's show "LEXICON," part of the newly opened galleries dedicated to Arts of Indigenous America. The Museum of the African Diaspora presents "Unbound: Art, Blackness and the Universe" and "Continuum: MoAD Over Time," while the Asian Art Museum hosts "Jitish Kallat: Covering Letter (Terranum Nuncius)."

Fifteen Standout Exhibitions to Catch This Winter

Boston Art Review (BAR) has published a curated list of fifteen standout exhibitions to visit this winter, highlighting a diverse range of contemporary art shows across Boston and beyond. The selection includes both local gallery presentations and major museum exhibitions, offering readers a guide to the season's most compelling visual art experiences.

BMA sets attendance record with 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime' exhibition

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has set a new attendance record with its current exhibition, 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime,' which has drawn 52,597 visitors since opening on November 2. The previous record was held by the 'Matisse/Diebenkorn' show in 2016-2017 with about 45,700 visitors. The exhibition, a mid-career survey of Sherald's work, runs through April 5 and is projected to reach 70,000 attendees. It originated at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art before arriving in Baltimore, after Sherald canceled its planned stop at the National Portrait Gallery due to censorship concerns.

The 10 Most In-Demand Artists on Artsy in 2025, from David Lynch to Amy Sherald

Artsy has released its list of the 10 most in-demand artists of 2025, based on year-over-year surges in artwork inquiries on its platform from January to November. Topping the list is filmmaker and artist David Lynch, whose inquiries surged 2,940% following his death in January, followed by Spanish painter Guim Tió Zarraluki (1,350% increase) and British painter Danny Fox (1,210% increase). Other artists include Amy Sherald, whose inquiries rose 710% after her 2018 portrait of Michelle Obama. The article notes that demand often spikes due to major publications, institutional shows, art fairs, or career milestones.

10 Galleries That Had a Breakout Year in 2025

The article highlights 10 galleries that achieved significant growth and recognition in 2025, despite a challenging market environment marked by tariffs and trade uncertainty. Featured galleries include Tokyo's CON__, which gained global visibility through standout presentations at Frieze Seoul and NADA New York; Munich and New York-based LOHAUS SOMINSKY, which debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach and opened a Tribeca outpost; and Chicago's Hans Goodrich, which quickly established itself with a cross-generational exhibition program and international fair appearances.