Tom Vattakuzhy’s Mumbai exhibition follows the feeling a story leaves behind

Tom Vattakuzhy's new exhibition "Where Words End" opens in Mumbai from May 3–17, 2026, at ICIA Gallery in Kalaghoda. The show presents a series of "story paintings" that explore the emotional residue left behind after reading a narrative, focusing on moods and sensations rather than plot or illustration. Vattakuzhy, who began his career as an illustrator, shifts here toward open-ended scenes where figures appear mid-gesture and rooms feel charged with unspoken meaning, drawing from literary sources as points of departure rather than literal subjects.

Homecoming for local artist in new West Lothian exhibition

Artist Leo du Feu is returning to his hometown of Linlithgow, Scotland, for his largest solo exhibition to date, titled 'Homecoming,' at the Gallery at Linlithgow Burgh Halls. Running from 22 May to 17 September 2026, the show traces the evolution of his work across nature, landscape, wildlife, and storytelling, and includes new pieces inspired by fatherhood and emotional well-being. The exhibition also marks the 15th anniversary of the gallery's opening in 2011, and a free artist talk is scheduled for 17 June.

Gallery Jupiter presents "The Immersive Landscape" - works by Christie Scheele

Gallery Jupiter in Little Silver, New Jersey, presents "The Immersive Landscape," a solo exhibition of paintings by artist Christie Scheele, running from April 30 through June 11, 2026. The show features Scheele's open vista landscape paintings and her new Place Series assemblages, which incorporate foraged natural materials like stones, bark, and seaweed. An opening reception is scheduled for April 30. In conjunction with Earth Day, Scheele also collaborated with artist Kathleen Sweeney and designer Dominick Santise on EcoAction Cards, a set of activity cards aimed at inspiring environmental action.

Why Italy's cultural wealth never really enters public accounts and budgets?

Perché la ricchezza culturale italiana non entra mai davvero nei conti e nei bilanci pubblici?

Italy has exceeded the European Commission's structural adjustment path by 0.1 percentage points of GDP, reopening fiscal scrutiny. Amid this debate, the article highlights a deeper issue: Italy's immense cultural heritage is drastically undervalued in public accounts. For example, the Pompeii Archaeological Park is recorded at just €48.9 million, the Colosseum at under €15 million, and the Uffizi at about €2 billion—figures based on outdated 2002 ministerial criteria that bear no relation to actual economic or cultural worth. The State General Accounting Office, with the University of Roma Tre and EU technical assistance, has proposed a new methodology to value cultural assets by discounting their future net financial flows, including direct revenues and indirect tourism-related returns.

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The Trump administration has proposed a significant aesthetic overhaul of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a historic French Second Empire–style structure adjacent to the White House. The plan involves painting the building’s original slate-gray granite facade white using a specialized mineral silicate paint. Despite the administration's claims that this 'magic paint' would strengthen and protect the stone, a leaked expert analysis warns that the paint is chemically incompatible with granite and could cause permanent structural damage and exorbitant costs.

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The board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted on Thursday to add President Donald Trump's name to the institution, renaming it "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." The vote was described as unanimous by spokeswoman Roma Daravi, but Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, disputed this, claiming she was muted when trying to voice opposition. The move has been met with disapproval from members of the Kennedy family and legal experts who argue it violates a federal stipulation from 1963. The name change has already been reflected on the institution's website and façade, following a year of turmoil that included Trump being booed at a performance and a Washington Post exposé on staff turmoil and declining ticket sales.

Pavlina Vagioni Oikeiōsis: A Greek Artist Asks Venice to Remember How to Belong

Pavlina Vagioni's exhibition *Oikeiōsis*, presented by the Hellenic Diaspora Foundation at the Venice Biennale, takes its name from a Stoic concept about recognizing belonging and expanding care outward. The show is structured in two rooms: the first, named Neikos (strife), features a fragmented plexiglass cube that reflects visitors in multiplied form, evoking separation. The second, Philotes (harmony), contains warm rock-salt seats and a layered vocal soundscape that activates the Tartini effect—a psychoacoustic phenomenon where two frequencies produce a phantom third tone, symbolizing collective kinship. The salt seats will physically change over the Biennale's six-month run, accumulating the memory of each visitor.

Cooperation and Collaboration: The Front Gallery Brings Art and Artists Together

The Front, an artist-run cooperative gallery in Montpelier, Vermont, operates on an equal-ownership model with 23 member artists. Founded by Glen Coburn Hutcheson after a pop-up studio gallery evolved into a collective space, the gallery is cooperatively managed, with members sharing rent and responsibilities while hosting solo and bi-monthly group shows, critiques, and community events.

The new chief curator of Uzbekistan’s Centre for Contemporary Art is bringing insights from London to the youth of Tashkent

Sara Raza has been appointed as the first artistic director and chief curator of Uzbekistan’s Centre for Contemporary Art Tashkent (CCA), a restored 1912 tram depot that is currently undergoing expansion by French architecture firm Studio KO. Raza, who was born in London and grew up in New York, is a former curator at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and has curated festivals in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. She took up the post in January and has already launched a programme of artist residencies in refurbished traditional Uzbek mahallas, while the CCA’s reopening has been delayed from 2025 to 2026.

Peninsula School of Art Hosts Ingwersen Gallery Open House

Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) is hosting a free open house at the Ingwersen Studio and Gallery in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, on October 11, 2025, to honor the late James Ingwersen and his wife Phyllis, who donated the 40-acre property to PenArt earlier this year. The event will include tours of the historic buildings and opportunities to meet staff and board members. Separately, PenArt has announced the return of its Family Art Days program for the fall season, featuring hands-on projects inspired by artists Jodi Rose Gonzales and Abigail Hedley, and has appointed four new members to its Board of Directors: Rebecca Carlton, Marsella Fults, Mynn Lanphier, and Monique McClean.

David Krut Projects showcases artist’s latest exhibition | Rosebank Killarney Gazette

Artist Pebofatso Mokoena opened his latest exhibition, "Diamond Dust Apostrophes," at The Blue House in Parkwood on July 19, hosted by David Krut Projects. The show draws on his recent residency in Oranjemund, Namibia, where the landscape, history, and soundscapes influenced his creative direction. During the residency, Mokoena began creating ink drawings on A4 paper while waiting for oil paints, a limitation that shaped the exhibition's meditative tone. He also collaborated with fellow resident Ericke Tjiueza, using music—particularly the album "Floating Points" by Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra—as a tool to understand the town. The exhibition marks a shift from his 2020 solo show "Internal Probes," which focused on Johannesburg's urban chaos, toward stillness and reflection.

New Providence Artist Zenia Olesnyckyj Opens "Impressions of Alaska" Exhibition at Summit Free Public Library

Artist Zenia Olesnyckyj is presenting her exhibition "Impressions of Alaska" at the Gallery at the Summit Free Public Library from May 1 to June 30, 2026. The show features twenty mixed-media works inspired by the Alaskan landscape and the art of the Tlingit people, aiming to capture the grandeur and intimacy of the region through texture and color.

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.

Artists and businesses shine at Lompoc’s First Thursday Art Walk

Downtown Lompoc hosted its monthly First Thursday Art Walk, transforming the area into an open-air gallery where artists, residents, and visitors gathered for an evening of creativity. Highlights included a live letterpress demonstration by Angelina LaPointe of Side Car Press at New Lows, local vendors at Fortified Tattoo, and a make-and-take craft project at Cypress Art Gallery. The event drew community members to venues such as Jupiters Spark Collection and Bella Florist.

Dutch Commission Recommends New Guardianship for ‘Orphaned’ Nazi-Looted Art

A Dutch government-appointed committee has proposed transferring guardianship of thousands of unclaimed Nazi-looted artworks from a state agency to a Jewish foundation, preferably housed at the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam. The plan includes funding for exhibitions and explanatory labels to publicly display the so-called "orphaned" art from the Netherlands Art Property Collection.

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A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction to halt President Donald Trump’s controversial $400 million overhaul of the White House’s East Wing, which includes the construction of a massive new ballroom. Despite the ruling, the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve the project, following the submission of over 30,000 public comments, the majority of which were negative. The legal challenge, led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argues that the President lacks the constitutional authority to bypass Congress and use private funds for major structural changes to the historic landmark.

The Rise of Tech-Funded Art Spaces in China

Tech giants JD.com and Tencent are launching new museums in Shenzhen, appointing prominent art figures Robin Peckham and Pi Li to lead them. This move is part of a broader initiative to transform the city, a major tech hub, into a significant player in the global art scene.

Fort Lauderdale Still Fighting Removal of Rainbow Crosswalks: ‘We Are the Last Man Standing’

Fort Lauderdale is the final Florida city continuing a legal challenge against a state directive to remove painted street art, specifically its rainbow crosswalks. A hearing is scheduled for May. The directive, part of Governor Ron DeSantis's Safe Streets program, prohibits pavement art with "social, political or ideological messages" and threatens cities with the loss of transportation funding if they do not comply.

Can Tefaf Maastricht Keep Up with the Experience Economy?

Can Tefaf Maastricht keep up with the experience economy?

The 39th Tefaf Maastricht fair opened, showcasing high-quality pre-20th century art and antiques, from Monet paintings to a 1st-century Egyptian vase. However, the fair faces an existential question about the relevance of older art in a market where Old Masters specialists are declining and contemporary art sales are volatile.

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The Israeli Knesset's Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved a first reading of a bill that would grant Israel's Heritage Minister sweeping authority over antiquities in the West Bank. The legislation allows for the appointment of a governing council, the designation of antiquity sites, and the expropriation of land and artifacts across the occupied territory, including areas currently under Palestinian civil control.

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Craft-based activism is surging in the U.S. as a form of protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and operations under President Trump's second term. Projects include the "Melt the ICE" hat, a red beanie pattern that has sold over 65,000 copies and raised over $600,000 for immigrant-support nonprofits, and origami rabbits for a detained five-year-old boy, drawing direct parallels to historical craft-as-resistance movements like the Norwegian topplue worn against Nazi occupation.

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Christie's has promoted Kimberly Miller to the role of Global Managing Director of its luxury division. This move follows a period of strong performance for the auction house's luxury categories, which saw sales reach $795 million in 2025, a 17% increase, significantly outpacing its overall growth. Miller previously served as regional managing director for luxury in the Americas, where she oversaw jewelry, watches, wine, and handbags, and integrated the automotive auction house Gooding & Company.

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Researchers have discovered a hand stencil in a cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi that dates to 67,800 years ago, making it the oldest known rock art in the world. The faded 14 × 10 cm patch of pigment, found on the southeastern peninsula of Sulawesi, was dated using Uranium-series analysis of mineral crusts that formed on top of the painting. The discovery was made by a team from Griffith University in Australia, Indonesian archaeological organizations, and the National Research and Innovation Agency, who have been documenting cave art sites in the region since 2019.

bonhams posted significant losses 2024 1234769251

Bonhams, the UK-based auction house, reported a nearly 90% surge in pre-tax losses to £213 million ($286.3 million) in 2024, alongside a 9% revenue decline to £176 million ($236.6 million), according to filings with Companies House. The losses were driven by £153 million in impairment charges due to reduced cash flow forecasts, reflecting a write-down on the investment value held by former owner Epiris. The house was sold to Pemberton Asset Management in October 2024, and subsequently saw a leadership overhaul, with Seth Johnson appointed CEO, Liese Thomas as CFO, and Jennifer Babington as COO, replacing Chabi Nouri and Céline Assimon.

south dakota art professor reinstated charlie kirk comments 1234755756

Tenured University of South Dakota art professor Michael Hook, who faced termination for social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been reinstated after dropping his lawsuit. Hook posted remarks on September 10 calling Kirk a "hate-spreading Nazi" after the activist was shot dead, then apologized and deleted the post. South Dakota political leaders including Governor Larry Rhoden called for his firing, and USD placed Hook on administrative leave on September 12. Hook sued the university and the South Dakota Board of Regents on September 23, arguing his comments were protected by the First Amendment. Students organized a petition with nearly 22,000 signatures supporting his reinstatement. On October 3, USD president Sheila Gestring withdrew the termination notice, citing Hook's apology and employment record. Hook then dismissed the lawsuit as moot.

director eisenhower library fired trump sword king charles 1234755273

President Donald Trump sought a gift for King Charles during a state visit last month, prompting his administration to request a sword from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas. The library refused to release the sword—a 1947 gift from Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands—citing federal law that requires preserving original artifacts for the American public. Trump instead gave King Charles a replica of Eisenhower’s West Point Officer’s Sabre. Subsequently, library director Todd Arrington was forced to resign after being told he could no longer be trusted with confidential information, a move he believes may have been linked to his refusal to hand over the artifact.

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Artist Jehan Legac, originally from Paris and based in Bangkok, discusses his practice of oil painting and photorealistic surrealism in an interview. His work, which explores femininity, sensuality, and sci-fi or fantasy narratives, has been exhibited at Nave8 Gallery in Ibiza, Saba Gallery in Miami, and Chaiyos Gallery in Bangkok. Legac describes his creative process as a slow, intuitive dialogue with the medium, emphasizing patience and emotional depth over intellectual understanding.

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During Berlin Art Week, a group of artists from the Alliance of Endangered Studio Spaces (AbBA) staged a protest at Alexanderplatz on September 16, calling on the Berlin Senate to repurpose abandoned properties for artistic and cultural use. The demonstration highlighted that five studio cooperatives housing about 150 artists were shut down by private owners in 2014 and 2015, with many more studios threatened by foreclosure due to rising rents and gentrification.

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Ronald Clucas, a metal detectorist with 50 years of experience on the Isle of Man, discovered an intricately plaited gold fragment identified as a Viking arm-ring from roughly 1,000 years ago. The artifact, found folded and measuring 1.5 inches, was declared treasure by the Isle of Man Deputy Coroner of Inquests on May 29 and is now displayed at the Manx Museum's Viking gallery. Archaeologist Allison Fox noted cut points indicating the arm-ring was portioned for use as currency, reflecting the Viking dual economy of coins and bullion.

legal injunction pauses imls funding cuts 1234741066

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday blocking President Trump's executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr., appointed by President Obama, ruled that the dismantling violated the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress's constitutional power over appropriations. The injunction follows a lawsuit by the American Library Association and AFSCME, and a temporary restraining order last week. Trump's March 14 executive order had declared IMLS "unnecessary," placing staff on leave, terminating grants, and dismissing board members.