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Mario Cristiani, co-founder of Galleria Continua, reflects on the gallery's 20-year journey in Beijing, describing how a meeting with three friends united by admiration for artist Chen Zhen led to opening a space in China. He recounts the vibrant early 2000s art scene, the transformative impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the gallery's initial five years without sales, emphasizing that success in China required credibility, consistency, and genuine cultural integration rather than commercial exploitation.

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The Marfa Invitational, a small art fair in West Texas, has sparked controversy after pivoting to a new format called the "Marfa Invitational Open." The fair issued an open call to Texas-based artists, charging a $75 application fee and later requiring an additional $150 "installation fee" not disclosed in the original terms. Over 500 artists applied, but many dropped out after the hidden fee was revealed, leading to a boycott campaign. Approximately 160 artists ultimately exhibited at the Saint George Hotel last weekend. The fair had previously faced scandal in 2023 when its tax-exempt status was revoked due to cofounder Michael Phelan's failure to file required paperwork.

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MCH Group, parent company of Art Basel, announced a new Doha edition of the Swiss art fair, set to launch in February 2026. Art Basel Qatar will start with 50 galleries and expand to around 200, partnering with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, a commercial arm of Qatar Museums. The fair aims to bolster markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

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Art Dubai became the first major art fair to launch a dedicated digital art section in 2022, inspiring similar initiatives at Paris Photo and Art SG. Now in its fourth year, Art Dubai Digital is thriving in the Gulf region, where cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have heavily invested in emerging technologies, including the Dubai A.I. campus, the Museum of the Future, and teamLab Phenomena. The fair has attracted tech entrepreneurs and crypto investors, and Sotheby's recent decision to accept cryptocurrency in Saudi Arabia reflects growing infrastructure for digital art transactions. However, the question remains whether digital art can appeal to traditional collectors or will remain a separate market.

Female nudity and art that stinks: key takeaways from Venice Biennale 2026

The 2026 Venice Biennale opened with 99 participating countries, including first-timers Somalia and Qatar, under the shadow of curator Koyo Kouoh's death. Her planned theme of "enhancement" and the main show "In Minor Keys" were disrupted by political protests: Pussy Riot objected to Russia's inclusion, and a strike against Israel's participation forced several national pavilions (UK, Austria, France) to close. Key takeaways include pervasive female nudity across pavilions, debates over Russia's presence, criticism of the US pavilion's lackluster art, maritime themes dominating several shows, and the rise of olfactory art.

The first Art Basel Qatar heralds a new model for art fairs in the region

Art Basel has launched its first fair in Qatar, adopting a novel format distinct from its other global events. The fair, featuring 87 galleries, requires each to present only one artist and is spread across multiple venues in Doha's Msheireb cultural district, with an open-plan, museum-like layout and special commissioned projects. Artist Wael Shawky serves as artistic director, emphasizing curatorial coherence over commercialism.

MENA Artists Are Having a Market Moment That’s Built to Last

Auction sales for artists from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region rose 9.4% to $33.2 million in 2025, driven by increased activity from international auction houses and the emergence of new hubs like Riyadh. The Sotheby's 'Origins' sale in Saudi Arabia achieved $17.3 million, setting artist records, while works from Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq saw particularly strong gains, indicating a market rebalancing.

Fair behemoths bet on Gulf plus new, bigger venues for Independent—a quick look at art fairs in 2026

Art Basel and Frieze are both launching new fairs in the Arabian Gulf in 2026: Art Basel Qatar in Doha (5-7 February) and Frieze Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi (17-22 November). Art Basel Qatar will feature 87 galleries with solo artist presentations on the theme 'Becoming,' curated by artistic director Wael Shawky, with major dealers like Gagosian and David Zwirner participating. Frieze Abu Dhabi takes over the existing Abu Dhabi Art fair, with Dyala Nusseibeh remaining as director and Deutsche Bank as sponsor. Meanwhile, Independent's two New York fairs are moving to larger venues: the contemporary edition to Pier 36 on the East River in May, and Independent 20th Century to Sotheby's Breuer building in September. Art Cologne is also reviving its Mallorca edition at the Palau de Congressos in Palma.

Five forces that reshaped the art market in 2025

In 2025, the art market faced significant challenges, including gallery closures and unfavorable auction results in the first three quarters, driven by geopolitical pressures such as US President Donald Trump's tariffs. However, a rebound occurred in autumn, with buoyant fairs like Frieze London and Art Basel Paris, and strong November auctions in New York totaling over USD 2 billion, carrying momentum to Art Basel Miami Beach. Key events included Gustav Klimt's *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer* selling for USD 236.4 million at Sotheby's, a record for a Modern work, and a Frida Kahlo self-portrait setting a new record for a work by a woman. Meanwhile, several galleries closed, including Blum, Venus Over Manhattan, Clearing, Kasmin Gallery, Tilton Gallery, and Perrotin and Pace's Hong Kong outposts, while others expanded, such as Thaddaeus Ropac in Milan and Hauser & Wirth in Sicily.

The Art Market Year in Review

The art market experienced a turbulent 2025, beginning with a 12% decline in sales from 2024, following a 3% drop in 2023, as reported by the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Major auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips saw average sales fall 6% in the first half of the year. However, the market rebounded by autumn, with strong sales at London and Paris art fairs and a 15% year-on-year increase in auction sales at the three main houses by December, according to Pi-eX. Key events included Sotheby’s failed sale of Alberto Giacometti’s *Grand tête mince* in May, followed by a record-breaking $236 million sale of Gustav Klimt’s *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer* in November, and a $31.4 million record for François-Xavier Lalanne’s *Hippopotame Bar*.

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.

As censorship rises, is there a future for truly political, truth-telling art?

The article examines the growing threat of censorship in the visual arts, focusing on two key incidents. In the US, the Trump administration pressured the Smithsonian Institution to review its holdings for content that contradicts "American exceptionalism," leading artist Amy Sherald to withdraw her entire solo exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery after the museum considered removing her painting *Trans Forming Liberty* (2024), which depicts a transgender person as the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, in France, Dutch street artist Judith de Leeuw unveiled a monumental mural in Roubaix showing the Statue of Liberty covering its eyes in shame, protesting global migrant injustice, which went viral online.

Art Basel Qatar unveils new fair format and appoints Artistic Director

Art Basel has announced details for its inaugural edition in Qatar, set to take place from February 5 to 7, 2026, at the M7 creative hub in Doha's Design District. Departing from the traditional booth model, the fair will introduce an open-format exhibition centered on the theme 'Becoming,' with solo presentations by galleries responding to a central curatorial framework. Egyptian-born artist Wael Shawky has been appointed Artistic Director for the first edition, working alongside Art Basel's Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis to shape the curatorial vision and guide gallery selection. The fair will span two key venues—M7 and the Doha Design District—as well as public sites in Msheireb, and plans include transforming Qatar Museum's Fire Station into a platform for educational programs.

The UAE’s art market is on the up

The UAE's art market is experiencing a resurgence nearly two decades after the 2008 financial crash, driven by a booming economy and strategic investments. Key developments include an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, ADQ, acquiring a $1 billion stake in Sotheby's, and Art Basel announcing a new fair in Doha, Qatar, set to launch in February 2026. Meanwhile, Christie's is expanding its Dubai office, and Saudi Arabia hosted its inaugural Art Week Riyadh in April, featuring 32 commercial galleries. Despite these regional moves, Dubai remains the Gulf's commercial art hub, with Sotheby's chairman Edward Gibbs noting a 70% increase in regional bidders over five years and Christie's president Anthea Peers reporting that sales of modern Middle Eastern art trebled between 2020 and 2024.

Artist interview

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Hyperallergic’s Guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale

Hyperallergic has published its guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale, detailing what to see and do at this year's edition. The guide covers the three main categories of the Biennale—the Giardini with 29 permanent national pavilions, the Arsenale with temporary rented spaces, and collateral events across the city. Key developments include the return of Russia to its permanent Giardini pavilion and Israel's participation with a new contractual stipulation preventing its artist from closing the pavilion, after Ruth Patir's protest in 2024. South Africa withdrew following the cancellation of Gabrielle Goliath's video installation 'Elegy,' which mourns victims of Israel's genocide in Gaza and will now be shown at a historic church. The United States will be represented by Alma Allen after Barbara Chase-Riboud stepped down, and Qatar is set to become the first country in decades to build a new pavilion in the Giardini.

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Maren Hassinger, the 78-year-old artist known for her sculptural work with steel and wire rope, discusses her upcoming retrospective at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, opening in June. In an interview, she reflects on her early rejection from a dance major at Bennington College, which led her to sculpture under the mentorship of Isaac Witkin, and her long collaboration with fellow artist Senga Nengudi since the 1970s. She also talks about her current studio practice, creating large-scale vessels, and her move from Los Angeles to New York to sell her work.

Scaled back Art Dubai 2026 reveals wide impact of Iran war

Art Dubai 2026 has announced a significantly scaled-back edition for its 20th anniversary, now running from May 15 to 17 at Madinat Jumeirah with a VIP day on May 14. The fair will feature just 50 galleries—a 60% drop from pre-war expectations—and will be free for all visitors for the first time. Two-thirds of participants are Middle East-based, with all Indian galleries canceling due to safety concerns, shipping risks, and lack of insurance. A new “risk-sharing” model allows galleries to pay a percentage of sales capped at their booth fee, while half of withdrawn galleries’ fees are refunded and half credited toward 2027.

Mexico City’s Zona Maco fair continues to draw upbeat crowds and eager buyers

Mexico City's Zona Maco fair is drawing upbeat crowds and eager buyers at the Centro Banamex convention centre, running until 8 February. Despite geopolitical tensions and the addition of Art Basel Qatar to the international calendar, collectors, curators, and museum groups from the Americas and Europe are attending in strong numbers. Galleries such as Sean Kelly Gallery, Proyectos Monclova, Kouri + Corrao, and Palo Gallery report robust sales and deep conversations with visitors, with a notable emphasis on ceramics and materiality in the works on view.

Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum Doha Review

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The Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum has opened in Doha, Qatar, dedicated to the prolific career of the late Indian modernist Maqbool Fida Husain. Commissioned by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and designed by architect Martand Khosla based on a sketch by the artist himself, the 32,300-square-foot blue-mosaiced structure houses 150 works including paintings, films, and sculptures. The museum traces Husain’s journey from the 1950s through his final years in Qatar, highlighting his cross-cultural explorations of faith, science, and history.

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Dasha Zhukova, the former fashion designer, magazine publisher, and museum founder, has launched a new real estate development company called Ray. Its first project, Ray Harlem, is a 21-story residential building on Fifth Avenue in Harlem, built in collaboration with the National Black Theatre (NBT). The development replaces NBT's original building and integrates a 27,000-square-foot theater as its centerpiece, with 222 apartments above, a quarter of which were offered through an affordable housing lottery. The building features site-specific commissioned artworks by emerging Black artists such as Jurell Cayetano, Freddy Carrasco, Nikko Washington, and Ellon Gibbs, and was designed by Frida Escobedo Studio with Handel Architects.

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Economic theorist and NYU economics professor Debraj Ray discusses his art collection, which began with a Picasso etching purchased from a Berkeley gallerist after his daughter Zayira discovered the image online. His collection focuses on early- and mid-20th-century masters, including works by Joan Miró, Egon Schiele, and Henry Moore, with a preference for monochrome etchings and lithographs. Ray describes how his analytical mindset as an economic theorist connects to his approach to art, viewing aesthetics and mathematics as interconnected modes of thinking.

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In 2025, art fairs and auction houses have deepened their integration with luxury brands, with Sotheby's and Christie's reporting that luxury items like handbags, jewels, and watches now account for a significant share of revenue—roughly a third at Sotheby's, with private luxury sales surging 350% year-on-year. Art fairs such as Frieze London and Art Basel's global editions have moved beyond traditional sponsorship, embedding luxury partners like Tiffany & Co., Ray-Ban, Stone Island, and De Beers into curated sections, mentorship programs, and immersive installations. Industry figures like Marc Spiegler and Emily Glazebrook emphasize that the most successful collaborations prioritize artists over brands, with initiatives like UBS's Unlimited sector and the Chanel Culture Fund serving as models.

Art Dubai Downsizes Dramatically as War Reshapes Plans

Art Dubai has announced a significantly scaled-back 20th-anniversary edition, reducing its exhibitor list by 57 percent following regional conflict and logistical disruptions. Originally scheduled for April, the fair has been postponed to May 15–17 at Madinat Jumeirah and will now feature only 50 galleries, with a heavy emphasis on regional participants. To support dealers during this period of uncertainty, organizers have implemented a "risk-sharing" booth fee model where galleries pay a percentage of sales capped at their original fee.

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An antiques expert and a cabinet maker have been found guilty of forging and selling nine imitation 18th-century armchairs that they falsely claimed belonged to French royalty, including Marie Antoinette. Georges "Bill" Pallot, a leading furniture expert, and Bruno Desnoues, a former Versailles restorer, sold the fakes through Paris galleries and Sotheby's to the Château of Versailles and private collectors, including Qatari Prince Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani and an Hermès family heir. Pallot was sentenced to four years in prison (44 months suspended), fined €200,000, and banned from working as an expert for five years; Desnoues received three years (32 months suspended) and a €100,000 fine. Both must pay €1.6 million in indemnities. The gallery Laurent Kraemer was acquitted, with the court ruling it was also a victim.

Art Basel Qatar is the latest addition to a grand national plan

Art Basel is launching a new fair in Qatar, marking its first foray into the Middle East. This expansion occurs within a landscape already heavily shaped by decades of strategic, state-led cultural investment spearheaded by Qatar Museums and its chairperson, Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani.

‘Everyone benefits’: Art Basel’s chief on the new Paris VVIP slot and the viability of its Qatar fair

Art Basel Paris held its fourth edition with a new VIP preview slot called Avant Première, where galleries nominated six key collectors to enter the fair on Tuesday afternoon before the main opening. Major sales were reported, including a $23 million Gerhard Richter painting at Hauser & Wirth, a Modigliani for nearly $10 million at Pace, and a $7.5 million Ruth Asawa sculpture at David Zwirner. CEO Noah Horowitz discussed the rationale for the exclusive preview, the renaming of the VIP relations team to 'collector and institutional relations,' and the viability of the upcoming Art Basel Qatar fair amid growing competition in the Gulf region.

Art Basel Qatar

Art Basel has announced the launch of Art Basel Qatar, a new international art fair set to debut in Doha. The fair will be held under the patronage of Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums, and is expected to bring together leading galleries from around the world. The announcement marks a significant expansion of the Art Basel brand into the Middle East, following its existing fairs in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris.

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MoMA PS1 kicked off its 50th anniversary year with an intimate cocktail event at the Tribeca townhome of board member Michi Jigarjian, hosted by the museum's patron group the Greater New Yorkers. Over 100 guests—including artists, collectors, dealers, and curators—gathered for remarks from Director Connie Butler, Chief Curator Ruba Katrib, and co-chairs Leslie Fritz, Ed Tang, and Amitha Raman, followed by a performance by experimental cellist Dorothy Carlos. Attendees received a first look at the upcoming quinquennial exhibition "Greater New York 2026," which will feature over 50 New York-based artists, with a partial list including Farah Al Qasimi, Fields Harrington, Hardy Hill, Sofia Sinibaldi, and Julia Wachtel.

‘I don’t take advice on collecting. If I don’t like, I don’t buy’: Tariq Al Jaidah on his approach to acquiring art

Qatari patron and dealer Tariq Al Jaidah is a pivotal figure in building a grassroots commercial art market in Qatar. He opened the country's first commercial gallery, Waqif Art Centre, in 2007, later established the non-profit Katara Art Centre, and most recently founded the commercial gallery Wusum in 2023 to showcase emerging Qatari artists and cultivate young local collectors. He advocates for more private museums, foundations, and corporate collecting to create a self-sustaining ecosystem beyond the state-run institutions.