Artist Lee Ufan, Who Turns 90 Next Month, Will Change How You Feel About Time

Artist Lee Ufan, who turns 90 next month, is the subject of a profile following a visit to his home in Kamakura, Japan. The article describes his spare, contemplative paintings and sculptures, including his rhythmic line-and-dot works from the 1970s and '80s and his industrial-material sculptures that explore the relationship between manmade and natural worlds. Three major exhibitions of his work are highlighted: a long-term presentation at the Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, New York; a retrospective at the San Marco Art Center in Venice coinciding with the Venice Biennale; and a new collection at the Serralves Foundation in Porto, Portugal.

Take a Sneak Peek at Nick Cave and Marie Watt’s Obama Presidential Center Commission

Nick Cave and Marie Watt have collaborated on a multimedia textile installation commissioned for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park, set to open on Juneteenth. The piece, assembled in February, will be installed in the Center's lobby alongside works by Jenny Holzer, Jack Pierson, Kiki Smith, and Idris Khan. Virginia Shore, an independent advisor and curator, spearheaded the commissions, and Louise Bernard serves as the founding director of the Center's museum.

Why Did the Met Opera Decide to Exhume Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s Marital Strife?

The Metropolitan Opera has staged Gabriela Lena Frank's first opera, *El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego*, which imagines a supernatural reunion between Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on Día de los Muertos. The production, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and starring Isabel Leonard and Carlos Álvarez, uses magical realism to explore the couple's turbulent relationship, though it largely sidelines their Communist activism and Kahlo's queer affairs in favor of a simplified reconciliation narrative.

The Whitney Museum Raised $6.3 Million Last Night

The Whitney Museum of American Art raised $6.3 million at its annual benefit gala on Tuesday night, honoring artist Julie Mehretu, Board Chair Fern Kaye Tessler, and Director Emeritus Adam D. Weinberg. The event drew a crowd of artists, actors, musicians, and arts leaders, with a performance by Grammy winner Shaggy and a seated dinner at the museum's downtown flagship.

A portrait of Gérôme for Washington

Un portrait de Gérôme pour Washington

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has acquired a portrait of the French painter Jean-Léon Gérôme, painted by his friend and fellow artist Édouard Delessert. Delessert, a multifaceted figure who was also a writer, photographer, and traveler, was mentored in literature by Prosper Mérimée and contributed to the Revue de Paris before founding the journal L'Athenaeum français. The acquisition adds a significant work to the museum's collection, highlighting the interconnected circles of 19th-century French art and letters.

Christie's Paris Sales: Burning Coals and Circles of Hell

Ventes Christie's Paris : charbons ardents et cercles de l'enfer

Christie's Paris is offering a painting by Guido Reni depicting Porcia, the wife of Brutus, who died by swallowing burning charcoal after learning of her husband's suicide. The sale, scheduled for June 11, 2026, also includes a rare work by Johannes van Bronchorst, a largely forgotten Dutch artist whose paintings are often misattributed to his father, Jan Gerritsz. van Bronchorst. The article highlights the historical and artistic significance of these works, with the Reni painting being one of several versions of the composition, as shown in a recent exhibition at the Musée d'Orléans.

Licornes !

The Musée de Cluny in Paris is hosting a new exhibition titled "Licornes !" from March 10 to July 12, 2026, eight years after its previous show "Magiques licornes." The exhibition centers on the famous "Dame à la licorne" tapestry series (circa 1500), tracing its creation and rediscovery around 1840 before its acquisition by the museum in 1882. It expands the scope to cover representations of unicorns from antiquity to the present day, including non-European civilizations—such as an Indus Valley ceramic seal from circa 2000 BCE—and a contemporary section upstairs. The show was originally conceived by the Museum Barberini in Potsdam, which hosted the first iteration from October to February, preceded by an international symposium in June 2024.

Two Sales at Sotheby's Paris

Deux ventes chez Sotheby's Paris

Sotheby's Paris is holding two sales in June 2026: a live auction on June 9 and an online sale running through June 10. The live sale features two notable 17th-century French paintings with unusually low estimates: a portrait of Sister Angélique Arnauld by Philippe de Champaigne (estimated €60,000–80,000), a previously unseen autograph replica of a work in the Louvre, and a portrait of Nicolas de Brisacier by Nicolas Mignard. The Champaigne portrait is particularly significant due to the sitter's role as abbess of Port-Royal and the artist's connection to Jansenism.

Print Quarterly Volume XLIII - Number 2 - June 2026

This issue of Print Quarterly, Volume XLIII Number 2 for June 2026, features a range of scholarly articles on historical prints and printmaking. Contents include Catherine Jenkins' new catalogue of Francesco Parmigianino's etchings, Victoria Fernandez Masaguer's report on conserving the Edmond de Rothschild Collection at the Louvre, and studies on artists such as Goltzius, Rubens, Hokusai, William Blake, and Ian Hamilton Finlay. The issue also includes shorter notices, notes, and numerous catalogue and book reviews covering topics from Parisian almanacs to Diane Victor's prints.

Pourquoi ce secret autour du Désespéré de Gustave Courbet ?

Gustave Courbet's painting *Le Désespéré* (1843-1845), owned by Qatar Museums Authority, was loaned to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The French art publication La Tribune de l'Art requested the loan agreement under transparency laws, but the museum refused, citing a confidentiality clause. The publication then appealed to the Commission d'Accès aux Documents Administratifs (CADA), which has not responded for five months. Separately, the heritage association Sites & Monuments made a similar request to the Ministry of Culture and received a negative response from CADA in March 2026, citing a Conseil d'État ruling that disclosure could harm France's foreign policy.

Marguerite Gérard and Fragonard at the Getty Museum

Marguerite Gérard et Fragonard au Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles has acquired a painting jointly created by Marguerite Gérard and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, titled "Je m’occupais de vous" (I was taking care of you). Long thought lost, the work was rediscovered by art historian Carole Blumenfeld during her research on the two artists and was publicly shown in Ajaccio in summer 2007 at the exhibition "Le cardinal Fesch et l’art de son temps." After returning to a private collection, it has now entered the Getty Museum's holdings.

Gerard van Honthorst

A major retrospective of the Dutch Golden Age painter Gerard van Honthorst has opened at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, running from April 25 to September 13, 2025. The exhibition brings together numerous large-format works that trace Honthorst's full career, from his early Caravaggesque phase to his later stylistic and thematic diversification across Utrecht, Rome, London, and The Hague. The show is praised for its successful mix of chronological and thematic hanging, offering a comprehensive view of the artist's complexity.

Elisabetta Sirani, de Bologne à Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne has acquired a painting by the 17th-century Bolognese artist Elisabetta Sirani. The work, a private devotional piece, depicts the infant Jesus holding a swallow, a symbol of Resurrection in Christian iconography. The acquisition adds a significant example of Sirani's work to the museum's collection.

No, the courts have not cleared the way for contemporary stained-glass windows at Notre-Dame

Non, la justice n'a pas laissé la voie libre aux vitraux contemporains de Notre-Dame

The article clarifies that legal challenges against installing contemporary stained-glass windows in Notre-Dame Cathedral are still ongoing, contrary to misleading headlines. Two judicial procedures remain active: an appeal by the heritage association Sites & Monuments after losing a first-instance ruling on procedural grounds, and a separate case contesting the legitimacy of the works themselves. Although an emergency injunction was denied because the judge found no urgency, the core legal arguments—that replacing Viollet-le-Duc's windows is not conservation or restoration—remain strong. The author warns that if the windows are installed before the appeals are resolved, they may later have to be removed at great expense.

Raven Chacon: Scores for Coming Storms

Raven Chacon's first solo exhibition at Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, "Scores for Coming Storms," runs from May 14 to June 20, 2026, in New York. The show features a layered installation of sonic and visual works, including a large graphite wall drawing, framed ink drawings, a sound installation, and a wall textile. Central to the exhibition is "American Ledger No. 1" (2018), a musical score for percussion and woodwinds that chronicles the origin story of the United States through Indigenous perspectives, alongside other works like "Tiguex" and "Volcano Choir" that map performances across Albuquerque's landscape.

South Korean video art at the Masi

The article reports on an exhibition of South Korean video art currently on view at the Masi (likely a museum or cultural venue). It highlights the growing international recognition of South Korean video artists and their innovative approaches to the medium, featuring works that explore themes of technology, identity, and social change.

Yinka Ilori’s First London Exhibition

British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori presents his first solo gallery exhibition, "He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best," at Cristea Roberts Gallery in Mayfair, London. The show explores themes of grief and joy following the death of his mother in September 2023, featuring kaleidoscopic prints, hand-embroidered artworks, painted pianos, and embellished calabashes and drums. Motifs of lace, flowers (British daffodils and Nigerian yellow trumpet flowers), and drums recur throughout, with a lace tapestry bearing the exhibition's subtitle. Two soundscapes by Peter Adjaye and James William Blades accompany the works, and buyers receive a signed vinyl.

Art on a Yacht, Art in a Shed, and a New Museum Director for the Frye

Local artist Light Guerrilla projected the message "TAX THE RICH" onto Mark Zuckerberg's megayacht Launchpad in Seattle, briefly illuminating the vessel before security confiscated the equipment. The Frye Art Museum appointed Rangsook Yoon, PhD, as Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs, a new role overseeing the curatorial department as the museum approaches its 75th anniversary in 2027. The article also notes the passing of art-world commentator Hilde Lynn Helphenstein (Jerry Gogosian) and highlights upcoming events including Lars Bergquist's solo exhibition at Europa Gallery and Philippe Hyojung Kim's show at SOIL Gallery.

Early summer roundup at Utah Museum of Contemporary Art: Ariel C. Wilson and Matt Kowal: from where the sun is, to wherever you are; Out Loud: 10th anniversary, 2026 Gala Art Auction

The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) is hosting an early summer roundup featuring two exhibitions: "Ariel C. Wilson and Matt Kowal: from where the sun is, to wherever you are" and "Out Loud: 10th anniversary, 2026 Gala Art Auction." The article, published by The Utah Review, highlights these concurrent shows as part of UMOCA's seasonal programming, with the auction marking a milestone anniversary for the museum's fundraising gala.

Intricately Cut and Painted Deli Bags Pay Tribute to Nature and All Living Things Great and Small

Artist Jasmin Sian creates intricate drawings and cutouts on found materials like deli bags, using lacquer, ink, and graphite to depict animals and everyday scenes. Her work, which honors the existence of all living things great and small, is featured in the Whitney Biennial 2026 at the Whitney Museum of American Art through August 23, 2026. Sian, who grew up on the island of Leyte in the Philippines, brings a reverence for nature and humble subjects into her diminutive pieces, often accompanied by a magnifying glass for viewers to appreciate their detail.

8 new art shows in India we’re excited about this June

Vogue India highlights eight new art shows opening across India and abroad in June 2026. Highlights include 'Sediments of Becoming: Fossilised Present, Summoned Pasts' at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, curated by Tunty Chauhan; Sohrab Hura's exhibition at Experimenter Mumbai; 'How the Akanksha Children Found Their Colours' at 47A in Khotachiwadi; Anirban Mishra's solo show 'A City Without Witness' at Akara Contemporary; 'Paper Gardens: Art, Botany, and Empire' at MAP Bengaluru; Sayanee Sarkar's debut solo 'Alchemy of Absolute Intimacy' at Emami Art; and 'Epochal: The Period of Pioneers' at DAG and Chatterjee & Lal in Mumbai.

Celia Paul’s Paintings Speak to Loss, Solitude, and Identity

Celia Paul's paintings are the subject of a critical essay that describes her work as possessing a mystical, otherworldly quality. The article characterizes her figures as more akin to music than flesh, and notes the difficulty of comparing her to other artists, instead drawing parallels to the writing of Vikram Seth and Emily Dickinson. The essay coincides with an exhibition of her work at Gladstone Gallery, running from April 28 to June 13, 2026.

Must-see Seattle gallery exhibits, art walk events, Pride shows and more

This article highlights several LGBTQ+ art exhibitions and events in Seattle for June, including Chloe King's banner at the Frye Art Museum, Curtis Steiner's pastel drawings at Traver Gallery, and the open-call group show 'QUEER FOR ALL' at The Factory. It also lists other notable shows such as 'Central District Legacy: Black. Power. Black Panthers.' at ARTE NOIR, the second iteration of the house-based project 'Once Removed', and 'Orders of Nearness' at studio e gallery, plus an artist-designed mini-golf course at Olympic Sculpture Park.

Top Five: May 28, 2026

Glasstire's "Top Five: May 28, 2026" highlights five art events across Texas. The list includes "Cups for Y'all" at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, a showcase of contemporary cups and vessels timed with Houston's championship soccer matches; Eva Marengo Sanchez's solo exhibition "Any Given Monday" at Ruiz-Healy Art in San Antonio, featuring still-life paintings exploring food, identity, and bicultural experience; the group show "What Are You Fighting For?" at MAINTENANT in Marfa, where over 40 artists respond to themes of resistance and care; "Dead White Zombies: Big Bird" at The Cedars Union in Dallas, a performance immersion blending digital and ritual elements; and "Memory Painters: The Art of Memories" at Grace Museum in Abilene, focusing on folk and naive art.

Historic selling exhibition of Carolyn Mazloomi’s quilt collection

Claire Oliver Gallery in New York will present “Masters of the Stitch: Threaded Stories,” a historic selling exhibition drawn from the personal collection of artist and curator Carolyn Mazloomi, from May 29 to August 8, 2026. The show features 12 artists—including Wendell Brown, Marion Coleman, Carolyn Crump, Michael A. Cummings, and others—whose quilts function as fine art, historical archive, and cultural testimony. Mazloomi, founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network, has spent over four decades assembling this collection, which is recognized as one of the most significant archives of Black quiltmaking in the United States, with major acquisitions already made by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the International Quilt Museum.

Check out these art exhibits on display in Boulder, Longmont

A comprehensive roundup lists dozens of art exhibitions currently on view in Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette, Colorado, spanning venues from commercial galleries and nonprofit art centers to libraries and museums. Featured shows include "Tres Voces, Un Corazón" at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring three members of one family—Sylvia Montero, Tony Ortega, and Cipriano Ortega; "We Choose Earth" by Jorge Vinent at Ana’s Art Gallery; and "Black Futures in Art – Genome Speaks What Erasure Cannot Silence" at the Collective Community Arts Center. Other highlights include "Threaded Narratives" by the Colorado South Asian Artist Group, "Unfinished" by Lewis TallBull at the Dairy Arts Center, and "Boulder Eats! Traditions Along the Front Range" at the Museum of Boulder.

Lowry Hill Gallery Exhibition: Kirsten Tradowsky, “Annemarie’s Vision”

Lowry Hill Gallery is hosting an exhibition titled “Annemarie’s Vision” featuring the work of artist Kirsten Tradowsky. The show is presented in partnership with Minnesota Women's Press, highlighting Tradowsky's artistic exploration of vision and narrative.

See exhibition by Erin Jane Nelson, ‘Living and Working,’ at UAB’s AEIVA through Sept. 26

The Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham presents “Living and Working,” a survey exhibition of artist Erin Jane Nelson, running through September 26. This is Nelson’s largest solo exhibition to date and her first survey, spanning a decade of her practice across photography, textiles, and ceramics. The exhibition will travel to the Knoxville Museum of Art in August 2027, and AEIVA is co-publishing an exhibition catalog with Institute 193. The opening reception is May 21, and free community programming includes summer drop-in tours, a pinhole camera workshop, Science Nights in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo, and a chamber music event.

LR Vandy's Dynamic Rope Sculptures Transform Yorkshire's Weston Gallery With Maritime Inspirations

British artist LR Vandy has transformed the Weston Gallery at Yorkshire Sculpture Park with "Rise," an exhibition of dynamic rope sculptures that climb walls, loop through pulleys, and coil across the floor. The centerpiece, "A Call to Dance," is a monumental maypole whose braided strands cascade from a metal ring. Vandy, who works from her studio at the historic Chatham Dockyard, uses maritime fibers that evoke ships, cargo, and hard labor. The sculptures appear caught mid-action, hovering between tension and release, with over 30 kilometers of rope used in the installation, much of it evolved onsite through collaboration with technicians.

LR Vandy tells stories of labor, movement, and collective resistance through rope sculptures

British artist LR Vandy presents 'Rise' at Yorkshire Sculpture Park's Weston Gallery, featuring rope sculptures that appear caught mid-motion. The exhibition includes works like 'A Call to Dance,' a monumental maypole form, and explores themes of tension, labor, and movement through maritime fibers sourced from her studio at Chatham Dockyard. The sculptures climb walls, loop through pulleys, and collapse onto the floor, evoking both architectural strength and delicate fragility.