Could TikTok become the place to buy and sell works of art?

TikTok potrà diventare il posto dove comprare e vendere opere d’arte?

TikTok Shop has launched a new "Fine Art" category, allowing users to buy and sell artworks directly within the app. The initiative was spearheaded by British artist-influencer Sophie Tea, who sold a series of 20 oil paintings titled "Bric-a-Brac" during a three-hour live stream that combined performance art, studio visits, and televised sales. Each piece sold for around £2,800, with TikTok taking a 9% commission. The move applies discovery commerce—where products find users through social feeds rather than active searches—to the art market, bypassing traditional gallery intermediaries.

Guide to cultural festivals in Italy at the end of May 2026: Spring Attitude, Aura, Buongiorno Ceramica!, URBAPHONIA, CYFEST

Guida ai festival culturali in Italia di fine maggio 2026: Spring Attitude, Aura, Buongiorno Ceramica!, URBAPHONIA, CYFEST

A guide to cultural festivals in Italy at the end of May 2026 highlights several events across the country, including Spring Attitude in Rome (May 29-30), Aura Festival in Palermo (June 1), Hypermaremma in Maremma (through September 30), Emulsioni in Ferrania (May 22-24), and Caorle Sea Festival in Caorle (May 23-June 7). These festivals cover diverse themes such as electronic music, club culture, analog photography, ceramics, media art, street art, and outdoor practices, often set in historically or culturally significant locations like La Nuvola in Rome, the Palazzina Cinese in Palermo, and an ex-film factory in Ferrania.

Working in Art: Opportunities from Museo Novecento, Giudicesse 2030, Premio Combat and Fondazione Club Silencio

Lavorare nell’arte: opportunità da Museo Novecento, Giudicesse 2030, Premio Combat e Fondazione Club Silencio

This article from Artribune compiles five current job and grant opportunities in the Italian art world. It highlights a crowdfunding campaign by Museo Novecento for Agnese Galiotto's artwork "Sogni" in Empoli, an open call for the fourth edition of the Giudicesse 2030 residency for filmmakers and video artists in Sant'Antioco, a call for artists using AI from Associazione culturale 360° Creativity Events for PARMA 360 Festival, a paid internship at Blob Art ETS for Premio Combat in Livorno, and a search for a project manager by Fondazione Club Silencio ETS.

In Tuscany a new festival brings contemporary art to agricultural estates with exhibitions and artist residencies

In Toscana una nuova rassegna porta l’arte contemporanea nelle aziende agricole con mostre e residenze d’artista

The first edition of CARMI.CO 2026 – Carmignano Contemporanea will take place from May 15 to 24, 2026, in the Carmignano area near Prato, Tuscany. The festival features five exhibitions and five artist residencies hosted by local wineries and agricultural estates, alongside talks, workshops, and studio visits. Exhibitions are staged at venues including the Rocca di Carmignano, Museo Archeologico di Artimino, and Museo delle Maioliche di Bacchereto, with works by artists such as Marco Bagnoli, Qiu Yi, Gola Hundun, Rachel Morellet, Fargo, Marco Ulivieri, Serena Fineschi, and others. Residencies take place at Tenuta di Capezzana, Colline San Biagio, Tenuta Le Furre, Tenuta di Artimino, and Fattoria Il Grumolo, involving artists Max Magaldi, Ronaldo Fiesoli, Vittorio Cavallini, Graziano Riccelli, and Gola Hundun.

At the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, a show by a Chinese artist is a hit. The curator explains why

Alle Terme di Diocleziano di Roma spopola la mostra di un’artista cinese. Il curatore spiega perché

Chinese artist Wu Jian'an (born 1980, Beijing) is the subject of a major solo exhibition at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano. Titled "Metamorphoses. L'arte che trasforma," the show explores connections between Chinese and Italian cultures, as well as broader Eastern and European traditions. Curated by Umberto Croppi, president of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, the exhibition features works such as the monumental leather installation "The Heaven of Nine Levels" (2008–2009) and the series "The Eternal Cycle – Running Through the Seasons" (2024–2025), which combines intricate paper cutouts, silk, wax, and cotton thread. The artist, who represented China at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017, was inspired by the ancient Roman spaces, creating a dialogue between his contemporary pieces and the site's classical mosaics and architecture.

Cosmic Province. Between bar and studio, or the punk life of Jacopo Benassi

Provincia Cosmica. Tra bar e studio, ovvero la vita punk di Jacopo Benassi

Italian artist Jacopo Benassi, born in 1970 and shaped by the punk scene, discusses his return to his hometown of La Spezia after years in Milan, where he worked as a photographer for Rolling Stone. He describes his life revolving around his studio and local bars, and reflects on founding the underground club B-Tomic in 2011, which became a hub for his artistic and photographic work blending music and performance. He also mentions an upcoming book of drawings and texts by Renzo Daveti (alias Benzo), a formative figure from the Italian punk scene.

For this 2026 too, the Fuorisalone is full of fashion. Here are the events halfway between fashion and design

Anche per questo 2026 il Fuorisalone è pieno di moda. Ecco gli eventi a metà strada tra fashion e design

The 2026 Fuorisalone in Milan continues to be a major platform for the convergence of fashion and design. Numerous fashion brands are presenting immersive installations, special collections, and cultural formats across the city, transforming urban spaces into narrative environments. Key presentations include YOOX's digital installation with Keta Bart, Gucci's archival project by Demna, Prada's symposium curated by Formafantasma, and new collections from Armani, Fendi, Dior Maison, and Louis Vuitton.

Restoration of L’Aquila’s Teatro San Filippo, Damaged by Earthquake, Concludes After 17-Year Closure

Si conclude all’Aquila il recupero del Teatro San Filippo danneggiato dal terremoto. Era chiuso da 17 anni

The Teatro San Filippo in L’Aquila has officially completed a comprehensive restoration process after being shuttered for 17 years due to the devastating 2009 earthquake. The reopening ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, marks the return of a historic site that originated as a 17th-century Baroque church before being converted into a theater and artistic hub in the 1970s. The project was funded through a combination of state resources and private donations, including significant contributions from the "Artisti Uniti per l’Abruzzo" initiative.

A young artist has designed exhaust pipes to be played like trumpets: A traveling concert in Milan

Un giovane artista ha progettato delle marmitte da suonare come trombe. A Milano il concerto itinerante

Emerging artist Aronne Pleuteri will debut a mobile performance titled "Mototrombe!" during Milan Art Week on April 17, 2026. The event features a parade of sound sculptures crafted from salvaged automotive exhaust pipes, which have been welded and reconfigured into hybrid instruments. Led by composer Dario Buccino, the procession will travel from Milan’s Central Station to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the sculptures will remain on display through April 26.

In Gorizia, artists work with local companies under the banner of circularity and industrial waste

A Gorizia gli artisti lavorano con le aziende del territorio all’insegna della circolarità degli scarti industriali

The exhibition "The Matter Loop" has opened in Gorizia as part of the GO! 2026 European Capital of Culture celebrations, showcasing a unique collaboration between contemporary artists and local industrial companies. Curated by Vincenzo Alessandria and organized by the QuiAltrove Association, the project paired four artists from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region with local businesses to repurpose industrial waste—including textiles, metals, and organic residues—into new artworks.

A new Romaeuropa Festival approaches. Here is what the 2026 edition of the review will be like

Si avvicina un nuovo Romaeuropa Festival. Ecco come sarà l’edizione 2026 della rassegna

The 41st edition of the Romaeuropa Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, scheduled to run from September 8 to November 15 across various venues in Rome. Under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Grifasi, the multidisciplinary festival will feature a robust program of contemporary dance, theater, and music. Highlights include the Italian premiere of Sofia Nappi’s 'Chora', a world premiere of Romeo Castellucci’s 'Faust', and a special celebration of the Rome-Paris twinning anniversary featuring choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

In Lucca, the Perfect Exhibition to Rediscover the Talent of Painter Emilio Malerba

A Lucca c’è la mostra perfetta per riscoprire il talento del pittore Emilio Malerba

The Fondazione Ragghianti in Lucca is hosting a major retrospective dedicated to Emilio Malerba, a key member of the Novecento Italiano movement who died a century ago. Curated by Paolo Bolpagni and Elena Pontiggia, the exhibition marks the first solo presentation of Malerba’s work since 1931. The showcase spans his early career in commercial advertising for brands like Amaro Ramazzotti to his mature paintings that lean toward Magic Realism, featuring intimate portraits that prioritize psychological depth over narrative.

CONDUCTOR Is New York’s First Art Fair Committed to the Global Majority

A new art fair called CONDUCTOR: Art Fair of the Global Majority will launch in Brooklyn from April 30 to May 3, 2026. Hosted at Powerhouse Arts, the inaugural edition will feature 27 gallery exhibitors and 17 special projects dedicated to artists from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Indigenous Nations worldwide.

Peeps-inspired art takes center stage at Racine museum

The Racine Art Museum has announced the winners of its 2026 RAM PEEPS Brand Art Exhibition, a popular annual competition featuring dioramas and sculptures made from marshmallow Peeps. Top honors in the adult division went to Julie Palmer for "Happy Birthday, PEEP Jr.," while Charlotte Barnes took first place in the youth category for "Peep Scouts Go Camping." The exhibition showcases a wide range of creative interpretations, including references to art history like "Peep Haring" and the "Peepeux Tapestry."

Artist Isaac Spellman on creating spaces for the misunderstood through art

Artist Isaac Spellman discusses his creative practice and upcoming presentation at the Affordable Art Fair 2026 in an interview. Spellman, whose style blends Art Deco graphic posters with elements of Chinese gongbi silk painting, has attracted commercial clients including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Bang & Olufsen. For the fair, he will debut two original series: "Red, White, Bright and Young," inspired by London's Bright Young Things of the 1920s and their queer-inclusive social scene, and "Pretty Monster," which portrays whimsical monsters embracing their differences.

Go figure – when Barnaby Barford took over the Wallpaper* fashion pages

Barnaby Barford is marking 20 years of collaboration with David Gill gallery through the exhibition 'We Are Where We Are', featuring 35 ceramic sculptures and large-scale drawings. The show includes a new work titled 'Ascension'. To celebrate, Wallpaper* magazine revisits its November 2007 issue, in which Barford took over the fashion pages, dressing his found porcelain figurines in designer labels such as Missoni, Versace, Gucci, Christian Dior, and Prada, photographed by Theo Cook with fashion styling by Sophie Dean and Sébastien Clivaz.

Art-in the-Park in Uvongo draws crowd

The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is experiencing a surge in artistic activity this holiday season, anchored by the popular monthly Art-in-the-Park event in Uvongo. Local art club Art by the Sea, which has fostered South African talent for over 50 years, is holding a season-long exhibition at the Southcoast Mall, while the Margate Art Museum and Sands Gallery are hosting concurrent showcases of regional painting and sculpture.

At Frieze Los Angeles, Greg Ito’s bright baggage carries hope

Los Angeles-based artist Greg Ito has presented a striking installation titled "A Cautionary Tale" with Superposition Gallery at Frieze Los Angeles. The booth features stacks of neon orange suitcases and mirrored trunks alongside paintings of symbolic imagery like burning candles and ships in a bottle. The work draws directly from Ito’s family history, specifically the forced relocation of his grandparents to Japanese American internment camps during World War II, where they were restricted to bringing only what they could carry in a suitcase.

8-Year-Old Painter Opens First Solo Exhibition and Has Already Landed Sales

Eight-year-old Kevin Kovacs has opened his first solo exhibition at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Center in Taunton, England, featuring his watercolor paintings of boats and coastal scenery. His mother recognized his talent at age two, and by five he was sketching seriously; gallery staff discovered his work through social media. The exhibition runs through April 28, 2025, and several pieces have already sold.

Around the World

Einmal um die Welt

The article previews the national pavilions at the Venice Biennale, where 99 countries present exhibitions across the Giardini, Arsenale, and venues throughout the city. It highlights Iceland's pavilion, featuring Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir's project "Pocket Universe" at the Docks Cantieri Cucchini, a multimedia work combining performance, sound, moving image, and installation centered on a film about a creature.

How the GDR apron became Italian luxury

Wie die DDR-Schürze zum Italo-Luxus wurde

Italian luxury label Miu Miu has released dresses for summer 2026 that resemble 1980s East German kitchen aprons, with prices reaching up to €12,000 for crystal-embroidered versions. The collection debuted on the Paris runway in October, where actress Sandra Hüller opened the show in robust workwear, evoking factory workers from the former GDR. Designer Miuccia Prada, a former member of the Italian Communist Party, drew inspiration from Helga Paris's 1984 photo series "Frauen bei der Arbeit" (Women at Work), which documented female laborers in East Berlin's VEB Treffmodelle textile factory.

Gitte Zschoch wird Generalsekretärin des Goethe-Instituts

Gitte Zschoch has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Goethe-Institut, taking over the role and chairmanship of the board on July 18. She succeeds Johannes Ebert, who has held the position since 2012 and will now lead the institute's regional office in Athens. Zschoch, currently Secretary General of the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa), previously worked for the Goethe-Institut in various roles, including founding director of its branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The appointment was confirmed by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and approved by the institute's presidium.

The Last Living Surrealist

Der letzte lebende Surrealist

Alejandro Jodorowsky, the 97-year-old Chilean-French artist and filmmaker, is profiled in his Paris apartment as the last living Surrealist. The article reflects on his century-spanning career, from his early pantomime work with Marcel Marceau in the 1950s to his cult films like "El Topo" and "The Holy Mountain," as well as his famously unrealized adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune." Jodorowsky shares his philosophy that true art has a beginning but no end, offering a retrospective on a life lived at the intersection of performance, cinema, and visionary creativity.

A Strong Gust of Wind Disrupts the Mundane in ‘Jour de Vent’

A team of six graduates from the École des Nouvelles Images in Avignon has released 'Jour de Vent' (Windy Day), a sweeping animated short film that captures a transformative moment in a public park. The narrative follows a diverse cast of characters—ranging from a businessman to a picnicking family—whose mundane routines are abruptly upended by a powerful gust of wind. This meteorological disruption serves as a catalyst for themes of surrender and human connection, mirroring a fluid production process where the filmmakers finalized the story's conclusion just days before completion.

Doyen retrouve la chapelle Saint-Louis

A cycle of eleven paintings commissioned in 1772 for the Chapelle Saint-Louis at the École Militaire in Paris, depicting the life of Saint Louis, has been rediscovered. The chapel was built under Louis XV by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, and the paintings were executed by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre following a carefully devised iconographic program. The discovery sheds new light on a major decorative ensemble from the Ancien Régime.

‘Rostos da Imigração’: Faces That Refuse Silence

Photographer Alfredo Cunha presents 'Rostos da Imigração' at the UCCLA gallery in Lisbon, a photographic exhibition featuring portraits of individuals from lusophone communities. The series resists anonymity and aestheticization, instead focusing on the lived experiences of migrants in contemporary Portugal. The exhibition is on view until 20 May 2026.

art offline gallery digital art

Offline gallery, a new brick-and-mortar space dedicated to digital art, opened in July at 243 Bowery in New York City, occupying the former Salon 94 space. Supported by the NFT marketplace SuperRare, the gallery is directed by Mika Bar-On Nesher and co-launched by Josh Long, who serves as head of brand. Its current exhibition, "Ego In The Shell," is a solo show by Japanese multimedia artist Emi Kusano that explores nostalgia, pop culture, and artificial intelligence. The gallery also hosted a book launch for Botto, an autonomous A.I. artist whose works sell at auction.

fashion fall winter isabelle wenzel

German acrobat-turned-photographer Isabelle Wenzel photographed Fall/Winter 2025 looks from Balenciaga, Loewe, Miu Miu, Alaïa, and other fashion houses for CULTURED's Art + Fashion issue. Her images capture models in sculptural garments—voluminous fabrics, reflective leather, silky fringe—as they tumble, leap, and contort, blending precision with play. The shoot features models Anneliek Heuvel and Akti Konstaninou wearing pieces by Vaquera, Acne Studios, Issey Miyake, Prada, Valentino, Gucci, Chanel, Givenchy, Saint Laurent, and more, with creative direction by Studio&.

art young photographer hannah altman

Hannah Altman, a photographer exploring Jewish culture through self-portraiture and narrative, has had a significant year marked by the publication of her monograph "We Will Return to You" and exhibitions in Toronto, Richmond, Hamburg, and at Brandeis University’s Kniznick Gallery in Waltham, Massachusetts. Her work delves into themes of loss, change, persecution, and uncertainty, weaving together mysticism and memory to examine how rituals, narratives, and objects evolve over time.

luxury shoe archive collection jeremyn lee

Jeremyn Lee, Senior Footwear Designer at Thom Browne, opens his personal archive of luxury shoes to CULTURED magazine. His collection, housed in his Fort Greene home, includes rare runway samples and discontinued styles from brands like Prada, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Maison Margiela. Lee began collecting after an internship at Marc Jacobs, focusing on nostalgia-driven pieces he first admired on Tumblr as a teen. The archive is meticulously catalogued with photography organized by size, brand, and season, featuring items like the Maison Margiela Spring 2009 'oversized sandals' sold as display objects.