12 things not to miss at Art Basel's bigger and better 2025 event

Art Basel's 2025 edition in Basel features a packed program across the city, including a new Shop with exclusive drops like a limited-edition porcelain Labubu by Kasing Lung, an FC Basel jersey designed by an artist, and rare prints by Daniel Arsham and Amoako Boafo. Highlights include Jordan Wolfson at Fondation Beyeler, Dala Nasser at Kunsthalle Basel, a ghost train by Rebecca Moss and Augustin Rebetez at Museum Tinguely, and the group show Maison Clearing organized by C L E A R I N G. Joyce Joumaa presents a light-based installation at Art Basel Statements, Thomas Bayrle's 1960s installation Coats appears in Parcours, and Alia Farid shows at Unlimited.

With the help of conservators, one of Van Gogh’s finest Arles landscapes will be heading to Japan

Conservator Margje Leeuwestein has examined Vincent van Gogh's "Bridge at Arles (Pont de Langlois)" (March 1888) at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo to confirm it is fit for travel. The painting will be the centerpiece of an exhibition touring three Japanese cities in 2027. The article details the painting's history, including Van Gogh's intended gift to Hermanus Tersteeg of the Goupil gallery, a later-scraped dedication, and a rare 1929 photograph of the bridge by Johannes Reiher that mirrors the composition.

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.

Weekly News Roundup: June 9, 2025

Sydney Contemporary 2025 will debut a new photography section called Photo Sydney, curated by Sandy Edwards and selected by a committee of experts. The fair runs September 11–14 at Carriageworks with 114 exhibitors. Separately, Jack Ball won the AUD 100,000 Ramsay Art Prize for their installation 'Heavy Grit' at the Art Gallery of South Australia. KIAF Seoul 2025 announced its gallery lineup, featuring 176 exhibitors from over 20 countries, running September 4–7 alongside Frieze Seoul.

In Galerie Sardine, a New Idea of What the Art Gallery Can Be

Artist Joe Bradley and his wife Valentina Akerman, neither of whom had run an art gallery before, opened Galerie Sardine in a 1701 farmhouse on Main Street in Amagansett, Long Island. The gallery, named after a small fish to convey modesty and portability, attracted crowds of local and visiting art lovers, including prominent dealer Larry Gagosian. The article profiles the couple's backgrounds—Akerman, an architect and former art director from Colombia, and Bradley, a painter who rose to prominence with a solo show at MoMA PS1 in 2006 and now shows with David Zwirner.

15 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This Summer

Los Angeles art institutions are presenting a diverse array of summer exhibitions, ranging from career-spanning surveys to historical reassessments. Highlights include Jeffrey Gibson's beadwork at the Broad, a survey of Barbara T. Smith's early Xerox works at the Marciano Art Foundation, a retrospective of Noah Davis at the Hammer Museum, and a group show at the California African American Museum addressing the legacy of Altadena's Black community after the Eaton Fire. Other notable shows include Nancy Buchanan's retrospective, Will Rawls at the ICA LA, Karl Haendel at the Weisman Museum, and a Jack Kirby exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center.

11 Must-See Museum Exhibitions This Summer

This article highlights 11 must-see museum exhibitions for summer 2025, curated by Monica Jae Yeon Moon. Key shows include Melissa Joseph's site-specific installation 'Tender' at the Brooklyn Museum, a comprehensive solo exhibition of 18th-century Dutch still life painter Rachel Ruysch at the Toledo Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and a queer photography exhibition at the Getty Center. Other notable events include the Venice Architecture Biennale, Berlin Biennale, and Ljubljana Biennial, with a focus on women artists like Emily Kam Kngwarray and Takako Yamaguchi receiving overdue recognition.

Korean artists are taking the world by storm—but why does their work resonate so widely?

Korean artists are gaining unprecedented global recognition, with figures like Haegue Yang, Do Ho Suh, Lee Bul, and Mire Lee leading a shift from traditional Dansaekhwa abstraction to more conceptual and contemporary practices. The article highlights how K-pop and Korean soap operas have boosted cultural awareness, drawing new audiences to events like Frieze Seoul and prompting major international galleries such as White Cube, Perrotin, and Pace to open in Seoul. Curators and scholars note that Korean art now engages deeply with globalization, historical trauma, and sociopolitical change, facilitated by biennials in Gwangju, Busan, and Seoul, as well as a surge in art institutions.

The 10 Exhibitions to See in June 2025

The article highlights 10 exhibitions to see in June 2025, curated by editors. Key shows include the Serpentine Pavilion in London, designed by Dhaka-based architect Marina Tabassum, titled "A Capsule in Time" (6 June–26 October), a semi-open wooden structure inspired by South Asian tent designs that engages with light and public activation. Another featured exhibition is Hiền Hoàng's "Garden of Entanglement" at FOAM Amsterdam (6 June–ongoing), presenting works that explore trauma's imprint on human bodies and nature, including a soundscape installation developed with scientists and a VR piece on the Agarwood tree.

An exhibition in a most extraordinary building explores Japan’s love for Van Gogh

An exhibition titled 'A Renewal of Passion: The Impact of Van Gogh' opens at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, running from May 31 to November 30. It explores Van Gogh's influence on Japanese art, featuring three Van Gogh paintings from the museum's own collection—acquired by founder Suzuki Tsuneshi—alongside loans from other Japanese institutions, including the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art and the Kuboso Memorial Museum of Arts. The show highlights works by Japanese artists like Kishida Ryusei, Maeta Kanji, and Nakamura Tsune, who were inspired by Van Gogh, as well as contemporary pieces such as Fiona Tan's photographic series 'Ascent' (2016).

Kinetic energy: events across Europe and the US celebrate Jean Tinguely anniversary

A series of exhibitions and events across Europe and the US in 2025 mark the centenary of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, known for his Dadaist kinetic sculptures that often self-destruct. Key shows include a focus on his relationship with Eva Aeppli at the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, and two major exhibitions on his partnership with Niki de Saint Phalle at Hauser & Wirth Somerset and the Grand Palais in Paris. The Museum Tinguely in Basel has commissioned artists Rebecca Moss and Augustin Rebetez to create a new installation inspired by Tinguely's work.

Tentatively, Photo London's tenth edition moves away from traditional content and crowds

Photo London's tenth edition, under new director Sophie Parker, opened at Somerset House with a deliberate shift away from its traditional focus on established male photographers and celebrity subjects like Kate Moss. The fair eliminated its 'Master of Photography' award and revived the Positions section for unrepresented artists, featuring Palestinian-American Adam Rouhana and British Indian photographer Kavi Pujara. While the main pavilion still showcased familiar names like Sebastião Salgado, newer galleries reported strong early sales, including a £10,000–£15,000 portrait by Chou Ching Hui sold to a Norwegian museum via Taipei's Chini Gallery, and multiple sales at Amsterdam's Hungry Eye Gallery and Paris's Galerie XII.

The Art Market Defies Doom and Gloom With Independent, Esther and Future Fair in Full Swing

New York City is hosting an unprecedented concentration of art fairs this week, with over nine fairs running simultaneously, including Independent, Esther, and Future Fair. Independent, held at Spring Place in Tribeca, opened on May 8 and is positioning itself as a boutique, hyper-curated alternative to mega-fairs like Frieze, featuring mostly solo presentations. Early sales were reported by several galleries: Europa sold works by Suyi Xu ($9,000–$20,000), Long Story Short sold six works by Keita Morimoto (up to $26,000), Charles Moffett nearly sold out his booth of Julia Jo ($10,000–$45,000), The Approach sold four works by John Maclean ($13,500 or less), and Copperfield presented works by Ada Patterson ($8,000–$23,000).

On the Met Gala’s Cy Gavin-designed blue carpet, art was front and centre

The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, raised a record $31 million while celebrating the opening of the Costume Institute's new exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" (May 10-October 26). The event's dress code, "Tailored for You," inspired attendees to embrace Black-dandy fashion, with guests including Rihanna, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, and Kamala Harris. The exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton and Monica L. Miller, explores the evolution of Black style in the Atlantic diaspora from the 18th century to today, drawing on Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity." It is the Costume Institute's first show to directly address race's impact on style and the Met's first menswear exhibition in over 20 years.

8 Must-See Solo Gallery Shows in May

Galerie magazine has curated a list of eight must-see solo gallery shows across the United States for May, spanning from New York to Miami and Los Angeles. Featured artists include Takako Yamaguchi at Ortuzar in New York, Enzo Cucchi at Vito Schnabel Gallery, Iván Argote at Perrotin, and Kang Seung Lee, among others, with exhibitions showcasing a range of styles from hybrid transnational paintings to Neo-expressionist works and conceptual installations.

Two legacy galleries open in a Berlin gas station

International gallery Pace has partnered with Galerie Judin to open a new arts hub in a converted 1950s gas station in Berlin's Schöneberg neighborhood. The venue, called Die Tankstelle, features exhibition spaces for both galleries, a café, and a Die ZEIT-branded bookshop. The inaugural exhibition, 'Reverse Alchemy,' runs from May 2 to June 14, 2025, and brings together works on paper by Jean Dubuffet, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Robert Nava. The gas station, originally built in 1954 and abandoned in 1986, was purchased by Juerg Judin in 2007 and renovated by Thomas Brakel and bfs design, with landscape architect Guido Hager adding a garden. It previously housed Das Kleine Grosz Museum from 2022 to 2024.

As Kazakhstan cautiously strengthens ties with western Europe, new art venues herald a change of direction

Two wealthy Kazakh entrepreneurs, Kairat Boranbayev and Nurlan Smagulov, are opening private art institutions in Almaty this year: the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture and the Almaty Museum of Arts. The Tselinny Center, designed by British architect Asif Khan, will open in September in a repurposed Soviet-era cinema, while the Almaty Museum of Arts, a 10,000 sq. m building by Chapman Taylor, aims to open the same month. These developments come as Kazakhstan cautiously strengthens ties with western Europe to reduce dependence on Russia, following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and positions itself as an energy supplier to Europe and a logistical hub for China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Observer’s 2025 May Art Fair Calendar (Updated)

Observer has published its updated 2025 May Art Fair Calendar, highlighting a packed schedule of art fairs in New York and around the world. Key fairs include CONDUCTOR 2026 (April 29–May 3), a Brooklyn-based fair focused on artists of the global majority; the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026 (April 30–May 3) in New Zealand; the Clio Art Fair 2026 (May 7–10 and 14–17), known as an "anti-fair" for unrepresented artists; and PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai 2026 (May 7–10), a leading platform for contemporary photography in China. The article notes that May is one of the busiest months in the spring art calendar, with many fairs concentrated in New York City during "Frieze Week."

When—and why—did Van Gogh paint a pair of crabs?

An article explores the story behind Vincent van Gogh's still life "Two Crabs," revealing that the two crabs are likely the same individual—a female Cancer pagurus missing its first pair of walking legs. Paul Clark, a crustacean specialist at London's Natural History Museum, confirmed the sex based on the broad abdomen visible in the painting. The work is on long-term loan to London's National Gallery, where it was recently redisplayed as part of the gallery's major rehang ahead of the Sainsbury Wing reopening on May 10. The article also traces the painting's provenance: it was the first Van Gogh bought by a British collector, William Cherry Robinson, in 1893 for 200 guilders, later sold at auction in 1906 for half that amount, and eventually resold at Sotheby's in 2004 for £5.2 million to an anonymous collector who lent it to the National Gallery.

Chicago's Intuit Art Museum set to unveil $10m renovation

Chicago's Intuit Art Museum has completed a two-year, $10 million renovation that triples its footprint and adds a lower level featuring the Henry Darger Room, a permanent installation recreating the artist's apartment. The museum will preview publicly on April 25 during Expo Chicago and officially reopen on May 23. The renovation, led by president and CEO Debra Kerr and local architecture firm Doyle & Associates, balances improved accessibility and natural light with preservation of the building's historic character. The inaugural exhibition, "Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago" (May 23–January 11, 2026), features 75 works by 22 artists exploring migrant and immigrant contributions to outsider art from the 1930s to today.

TOP CHARITY Art Exhibition

The Museum of King Jan III in Wilanów, Warsaw, is hosting the TOP CHARITY Art exhibition from April 24 to June 24, 2025, featuring works from the OmenaArt Foundation’s African art collection. Acclaimed Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama served as guest of honour at the opening, and his jute sack piece NANDANBIA (2019) is on display. The exhibition includes a sculpture park curated by Isabel de Vasconcellos and Natalia Bradbury in partnership with Opera Gallery, showcasing artists such as Niki de Saint Phalle, Manolo Valdes, and Amedeo Modigliani. Works from the exhibition will be auctioned in the TOP CHARITY Auction on June 7, alongside a silent auction for emerging artists.

Regional strength helps insulate Art Dubai from tariff-related turbulence

Art Dubai, running until 20 April, opened as the first major art fair since US President Trump announced global tariffs that nearly triggered a financial crisis. Sales were solid, with most works priced in the low six figures or thousands, insulating the fair from market anxieties. A divide emerged between regional SWANA galleries—which presented the strongest booths—and international galleries from the US, Europe, and Latin America, which seemed uncertain about what to bring. Notable sales included works by Rana Begum, Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Ali Cherri, and Shaikha Al Mazrou, while galleries like Sfeir-Semler, Vigo Gallery, and Experimenter reported strong results.

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Silvestre Pestana’s LED Signs Give Language Charge

Silvestre Pestana, a Portuguese artist and poet, is presenting a solo exhibition of his LED text-based works at Galeria Quadrado Azul in Porto. The show, titled 'Silvestre Pestana: The Light of Words', features his pioneering 'Poemas Pornográficos' (Pornographic Poems) from the 1980s and newer LED pieces that transform language into pulsating, illuminated objects.

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.

Art21 and CHANEL Culture Fund Introduce an Original Series of Documentary Shorts Designed for Social Media Platforms

Art21 and the CHANEL Culture Fund have partnered to launch 'IRL/url,' a new series of over 30 short documentary films designed for social media. The series, premiering in November 2025, profiles eight contemporary artists—including Neïl Beloufa, Jacolby Satterwhite, and Xin Liu—exploring their work across physical and digital realms. The films will be released on TikTok, YouTube, and Art21's website.

The Art Gallery Doing Urban Regeneration South of Milan (After Doing It in New York)

La galleria d’arte che fa rigenerazione urbana a sud di Milano (dopo averla fatta a New York)

Scaramouche Gallery has opened a new space in Milan's Scalo Romana district, marking its third location after establishing itself in New York's Chelsea and Lower East Side neighborhoods. The gallery, founded by gallerist Daniele Ugolini, is part of a wave of cultural institutions, including Fondazione Prada and Fondazione ICA, driving the urban regeneration of this former agro-industrial zone near the 2026 Winter Olympic Village.

Joan Miró | Quelques Fleurs Pour Des Amis: Milani (#25) (1964) | For Sale

A lithograph by Joan Miró from his "Quelques Fleurs pour des Amis" series, titled *Milani (#25)* (1964), is being offered for sale through Palm Beach Modern Auctions. The work is a limited-edition print on paper, signed in plate, from an edition of 150, printed by Mourlot, Paris, and published by Societe Internationale d'Art XXe Siecle, Paris. The listing includes details on condition, buyer's premium, and bidding terms.

UAE art guide: 12 museum and gallery exhibitions to see, including Gallery Isabelle's 20th anniversary show

The UAE art scene is currently hosting a diverse array of exhibitions across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, despite regional disruptions. Key highlights include a major Picasso retrospective at Louvre Abu Dhabi, a 10th-century anniversary celebration at 421 Arts Campus titled 'Rays, Ripples, Residue,' and the inaugural photography exhibition at Sharjah Art Foundation’s new Al Manakh venue. These shows range from historical surveys of the human form to contemporary explorations of UAE’s urban development and climate change.

Exhibitions Coming to Houston Area Art Venues In Spring 2026

A comprehensive guide details spring 2026 exhibitions at Houston-area art venues, including Blaffer Art Museum, Galveston Arts Center, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Moody Center for the Arts, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Lawndale Art Center, and Art League Houston. Key shows include "The Uncanny In-Between" (contemporary Korean ceramics), "Mud + Corn + Stone + Blue" (U.S.-Central America histories), Bruce Lee Webb's "CURIOS," "End Cash Bail" (incarceration-themed poetry and visual art), Jamie Ho's "magic mirrors" (Chinese American identity), and Hammonds + West's "The River Entered My Home" (environmental grief).