Stilllive Documents 2019–2025 @ The 5th Floor

The 5th Floor in Tokyo is hosting "Stilllive Documents 2019–2025," a retrospective exhibition running from May 14 to June 7, 2026, that reviews the activities of the performance platform Stilllive. The show features unpublished photographs and video materials from 2019 to 2025, presenting them not as mere traces of events but as records of relationships, tensions, and responses that emerged in each moment. Stilllive was founded in 2016 by Yuki Kobayashi and graduates of the Royal College of Art's Performance program, and has held annual events since 2019 at venues including the Goethe-Institut Tokyo. A new performance, "Stilllive 2026," will take place on May 16–17 at BUoY in Senju Nakamachi, Tokyo, connecting past accumulations to future practice.

Amid confrontation with the US, an Iranian museum exhibits anti-war art by American artists

Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art opened an exhibition of anti-war artworks by American artists. The show features pieces by prominent American artists that critique war and violence, drawing local visitors who are engaging with the works despite the political climate of anti-American sentiment in the streets.

Two Visitors’ Lions have been established for the Biennale Arte 2026

La Biennale di Venezia has announced the establishment of two Visitors' Lions for the 61st International Art Exhibition, following the resignation of the International Jury appointed by curator Koyo Kouoh. The awards ceremony, originally scheduled for May 9, has been moved to November 22, the final public day, echoing a similar shift during the 2021 Architecture Exhibition due to COVID-19. The Visitors' Lions will be voted on by ticket holders who visit both exhibition venues between May 9 and November 22, with one award for the Best Participant in the exhibition "In Minor Keys" by Koyo Kouoh and another for the Best National Participation.

Interacting with art can slow ageing process, study shows.

A new study by University College London, published in the journal *Innovation in Aging*, finds that engaging with art—both creating and observing it—can slow the biological aging process. The research, published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gero, is the first to provide evidence that art engagement offers anti-aging benefits comparable to those of physical activity.

A War Souvenir for Düsseldorf

Un souvenir de guerre pour Düsseldorf

The Kunstpalast museum in Düsseldorf has acquired a war-related painting by Bordeaux-born artist William Laparra, who was mobilized in 1917 into the French camouflage section during World War I. Laparra served as a brigadier-chief in the 1st group of the 10th Army at the Chantilly workshop, a unit created in 1915 by figures including Eugène Corbin, Louis Guingot, and painter Guirand de Scévola, who developed earth-toned uniforms and painted canvas to conceal artillery from German aircraft.

ART AFRICA to host 2nd NEW FUTURES ARTS COLLABORATIVE 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.

ART AFRICA has announced an open call for the second edition of its NEW FUTURES ARTS COLLABORATIVE, scheduled for 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. The residency, titled "De-composition, Extraction and Regeneration," invites artists to collectively explore themes of extractivism, ecological crisis, and social justice, using artistic practice as a tool for transformation and regeneration.

Ex-Votos of Disobedience: Débora Arango in Dialogue with Alfonso Quijano

EXVOTOS DE LA DESOBEDIENCIA: DÉBORA ARANGO EN DIÁLOGO CON ALFONSO QUIJANO

The exhibition "Exvotos de la desobediencia: Débora Arango en diálogo con Alfonso Quijano" at the Claustro de San Agustín of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, curated by María Belén Sáez de Ibarra, brings together paintings and watercolors by Débora Arango (born 1907) alongside woodcuts by Alfonso Quijano (born 1927). The show proposes a dialogue that addresses persistent violence, inequality, and exclusion in contemporary life, with sacred symbols coexisting with bodies marked by desire, guilt, hunger, and resistance. Arango's work is presented as one of the earliest and most radical expressions of feminism in Latin American art, challenging patriarchal structures that have historically marginalized women and their images from public spaces.

Four Latin American Voices Around the Montevideo Curatorial Intensive

CUATRO VOCES LATINOAMERICANAS EN TORNO AL INTENSIVO CURATORIAL DE MONTEVIDEO

Independent Curators International (ICI) held the Montevideo Curatorial Intensive in March 2026, in partnership with the ESTE ARTE fair and the Faculty of Arts at the University of the Republic (Udelar). This was the first time the program took place in Uruguay, bringing together twelve emerging curators from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States for eight days of seminars, debates, and mentorship. Led by independent curator Marina Reyes Franco, the intensive included visits to local cultural spaces such as CasaMario, SUBTE, and the Espacio de Arte Contemporáneo, as well as a trip to Punta del Este to tour galleries and artist studios. The program featured presentations by international faculty including Ionit Behar, Victoria Noorthoorn, Maya Juracán, and Keyna Eleison, and concluded with a public symposium at the Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales (MNAV).

NEYRA PÉREZ: RETURN TO ROEBIRI

NEYRA PÉREZ: RETORNO A ROEBIRI

Neyra Pérez, an Iskonawa artist, presents her exhibition "El retorno del Roebiri" at the Centro Cultural Ricardo Palma in Lima, Peru, running until May 9, 2026. The show features her distinctive kené designs, which she creates using natural materials like yakuchapana resin and virgin clay on raw canvas, fixed through sunlight and river washing. The works reference Roebiri, a mountain in the Amazonian Sierra del Divisor that was the ancestral territory of the Iskonawa people, from whom they were displaced in the late 1950s by missionaries and the military. Since 2018, Pérez has been part of a cultural revitalization effort led by anthropologist Carolina Rodríguez to recover these traditional designs and practices.

Art exhibition at Two Selves Gallery explores a journey through depression

Two Selves Gallery in Troy, New York, opened a new exhibition titled "Coming Out of Darkness: Landscapes of Presence" by artist Patricia Wood during the April Troy Night Out event. The show, on display through May, is divided into three sections: a series of acrylic paintings on black velvet depicting forest scenes from the Adirondacks, a middle section featuring reference photos, miniatures, encaustic works, and mental health resources, and a front section with oil paintings of Winnie the Pooh characters and Wood's jewelry. Wood describes the exhibition as a personal journey through depression, using light and dark to convey her struggle and recovery.

SIU’s Sharp Museum seeking cryptid-themed art for juried exhibition

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Sharp Museum is organizing a national juried exhibition titled "Spooks or Spoofs," centered on cryptid-themed art. The exhibition runs from August 11 to December 21, 2026, and welcomes all media except AI-generated images. Artists may submit up to three works, with a requested donation of $5–$10 per entry. The submission deadline is July 1, with jury results announced by July 14. The juror is Jeremy Efroymson, an artist, collector, and amateur cryptozoologist. The museum's curator of exhibits, T. Lance, highlighted local Illinois legends such as Bigfoot, the Big Muddy Monster, and the Enfield horror as inspiration.

Eye on Art: Museums beckon with Memorial Day offerings

The article highlights Memorial Day weekend art offerings in the Concord and Fitchburg, Massachusetts area, focusing on museums and galleries as cool retreats from the summer heat. It notes International Museum Day's theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World" and promotes special membership deals at Fitchburg Art Museum, an exhibit at the Arts League of Lowell Greenwald Gallery, and the Concord Museum's upcoming Garden Tour fundraiser.

Art Museum of Southeast Texas exhibit captures essence of the Neches River

The Art Museum of Southeast Texas has opened a new exhibition centered on the Neches River, capturing its ecological and cultural significance through a range of artworks. The show features pieces by regional artists who explore the river's landscapes, wildlife, and its role in the community's history.

Guimet Museum Presents Europe's First Silla Exhibition

The Guimet Museum in Paris is presenting Europe's first-ever exhibition dedicated to the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. The show features archaeological treasures, including gold crowns, jewelry, and Buddhist artifacts, highlighting the cultural and artistic achievements of Silla, which flourished from 57 BCE to 935 CE.

National Museum opens 'Pioneers of Omani Art' exhibition in Russia

The National Museum of Oman has opened an exhibition titled "Pioneers of Omani Art" at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia. Running until 16 August, the show features 23 works by 17 Omani artists, highlighting how they draw inspiration from their culture, heritage, history, and environment. The exhibition traces the journey of fine art in Oman, from prehistoric rock art to the modern art movement, shaped by historical commercial and cultural exchanges with European artists.

The Etruscans Take Center Stage With the Legion of Honor’s Latest Exhibit

The Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco has opened a new exhibition titled “The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy,” running from May 2 to September 20. Curated by Renée Dreyfus, the show features over 20 objects from international institutions including the Vatican, the Louvre, and the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, highlighting the art, culture, and progressive social roles of women in Etruscan society through bronze and terracotta vessels, sculptures, and gold jewelry.

‘Costume Art’ Review: Fashion and the Human Form at the Met

The article reviews 'Costume Art,' an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that explores the intersection of fashion and the human form. It examines how garments and accessories are presented as sculptural objects, highlighting the dialogue between clothing and the body through historical and contemporary pieces.

Face-to-Face: Nalini Sharma Talks MFA Boston’s “Divine Color” Exhibition and the Power of Indian Art

Nalini Sharma, an art patron and honorary member of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's Board of Advisors, discusses the museum's exhibition "Divine Color: Hindu Prints from Modern Bengal" in an exclusive video interview. The show, supported by Nalini and Raj Sharma, features nearly 40 vibrant lithographs and over 100 objects including prints, paintings, sculptures, and textiles, exploring Hindu devotional prints from 19th-century Calcutta (now Kolkata). It is the first U.S. exhibition devoted to these works, which were mass-produced using lithographic technology and deeply embedded in daily life across India and the diaspora.

Booth Western Art Museum Names New Director

Dr. Eric Singleton has been appointed as the new director of the Booth Western Art Museum, set to assume the role in mid-July. He was selected after a nationwide search led by Georgia Museums President and Board Chair Lorri McClain, who praised his extensive experience, creativity, and collaborative leadership style. Singleton currently serves as the McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and Curator of Native American Art and Ethnology at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, bringing over 25 years of museum experience to the Booth. He has previously worked at the Gilcrease Institute of American History & Art and the Philbrook Museum of Art, and holds a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.

Review: The 82nd Whitney Biennial is weird, provocative, and leaves viewers wanting more

The 82nd Whitney Biennial has opened, drawing attention for its weird, provocative nature that leaves viewers wanting more. The exhibition, held at the Whitney Museum of American Art, features a range of contemporary works that challenge conventional boundaries and spark dialogue.

Grohmann Museum Exhibit Focuses on Veterans and Service

The Grohmann Museum in Milwaukee has opened a new exhibition pairing two shows by contemporary American artists focusing on military service. Ohio-born Mary Whyte's "We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America" features 50 large-scale watercolor portraits of veterans from various wars and backgrounds. Milwaukee photographer Dennis Darmek's "Boots and Sand: The Marines of 29 Palms" presents two dozen color photographs taken at the Marine Corps base in California's Mojave Desert, where Darmek himself trained in 1969. The photos capture both posed and candid moments, highlighting diversity within the modern Marine Corps, including women in combat roles.

Art exhibitions in Chiang Mai this May

This May, Chiang Mai's art scene offers a diverse lineup of exhibitions across galleries, museums, and independent spaces. Highlights include a group show on regional identity at Chiang Mai Art Museum, a calligraphy-focused solo exhibition by Jin Li at Makok Art Space, and 'Class 2 Canvas' at Fãr Studios featuring artist-educators. Mid-month brings two openings: Chitti Kasemkitvatana's 'Epilogue: A Diffraction Grating' at Gallery Seescape, exploring time and light, and Kailash Mani's solo show of outsider art at Head High Second Floor.

National Artist Call for Juried Art Exhibition at Minneapolis Institute of Art, Allegories of a Better World

Artists nationwide are invited to submit original works to a juried exhibition titled "Allegories of a Better World," which will be held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art on June 28, 2026. The submission deadline is May 15, 2026. The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the premiere of the documentary film "The Making of America," directed by Monique Linder and produced by OMG Studios in partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center. Submissions should explore themes such as virtue, moral courage, truth, justice, liberation, reconstruction, memory, history, and cultural healing. Selected works may also be featured in the film.

Art Liard Explores Nature’s Fragile Equilibrium in London

Art Liard presents a new exhibition in London exploring nature's fragile equilibrium, featuring works that examine the delicate balance of natural ecosystems. The show includes a series of paintings and installations that respond to environmental themes, highlighting the tension between growth and decay in the natural world.

Nelson-Aktins 1975 Chinese art exhibit still resonates in Kansas City today | Opinion

In spring 1975, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City hosted the second American stop of "The Exhibition of Archaeological Finds of the People's Republic of China," a landmark traveling show of ancient Chinese artifacts including jade, silk, and bronze sculptures. The author, then a University of Missouri-Kansas City economics student, worked behind the scenes at the museum, describing an unusual interview conducted while gardening and his task of touch-painting gallery walls with a dry brush to cover visitor smudges before opening.

Art in Bloom returns to Mia, transforming galleries with floral interpretations

Art in Bloom, the Minneapolis Institute of Art's annual floral showcase, returned from April 23 to 26, 2026, featuring over 160 flower arrangements inspired by artworks from the museum's permanent collection. The free, four-day event, presented by the Friends of the Institute, drew thousands of visitors and included guided tours, family activities, and expanded programming. Floral designers, florists, and garden clubs placed their interpretations alongside original pieces, with this year's centerpiece inspired by a Japanese Presentation vase from the early 20th century, once owned by railroad magnate James J. Hill.

Chico State Museum of Anthropology exhibition centered on protest art

An exhibition titled "Celebrate People's History: Latin America and the Art of Protest" has opened at the Chico State Museum of Anthropology in Chico, California. Housed in the Meriam Library Building, the show features protest art from Latin America and Latinx communities in the U.S., addressing topics such as Dolores Huerta, ICE raids, and local issues like the killing of Desmond Phillips. The exhibition includes works from Pedal Press, a Chico-based organization, and offers interactive print materials for K-12 and college students, with free field trips available for school groups.

Provincia Cosmica. A Foggia per scoprire la fotografia sociologica di Maria Palmieri

Maria Palmieri (Foggia, 1986) is a photographer who uses her camera as a tool for observation, understanding, and social improvement. After studying law, she turned to visual arts, blending reportage with vernacular photography to uncover truth amid the 'noisy horror' of contemporary life. In an interview with Artribune, she discusses her sociological approach to photography, her return to her hometown of Foggia, and her ongoing documentation of the region's fragilities, including the largest migrant ghetto in Europe.

Vernon Public Art Gallery unveils four new diverse summer exhibitions

The Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) in British Columbia is launching four new summer exhibitions in June 2026: Emergence, featuring recent BFA graduates from UBCO; Fireline Kinship, a multidisciplinary response to the 2021 Nk’Mip Creek wildfire by Taylor Baptiste; Through Our Eyes, showcasing youth from the Boys and Girls Club Okanagan’s Teen Junction Youth Program; and Gathered, a group exhibition by School District 22 Indigenous students. An opening reception will be held on May 28, and all exhibitions run through June and July.

Corner Gallery on brink of new show

Corner Gallery in Ontario, Canada, is preparing for a new exhibition titled 'Brink,' opening May 23. Curator David Partridge chose the theme to reflect the current global uncertainty, interpreting 'brink' as either the edge of collapse or the dawn of something new. The show features artists who responded to the theme in varied ways, including one landscape painter who shifted to portraits. Partridge notes that private art galleries are struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis, with attendance declining post-COVID, and acknowledges that this year is critical for the gallery's future.