pariss musee dart moderne to receive 180 artworks from french gallerist

French gallerist Kamel Mennour has announced a donation of 180 artworks to the Musée d’Art Moderne (MAM) in Paris. The gift, drawn from his namesake gallery and personal collection, includes works by over 45 artists such as Alicja Kwade, Anish Kapoor, Daniel Buren, and Lee Ufan. The donation will join MAM’s permanent collections after validation by Paris Musées and the French government, with an exhibition planned for 2027 in the museum’s ARC rooms.

alexandra metcalf

Alexandra Metcalf, a rising artist based in Berlin, is gaining attention for her multidisciplinary work that blends Victorian and psychedelic aesthetics with the dark history of women's psychiatric facilities. Her upcoming Art Basel debut with London's Ginny on Frederick features an installation titled "Assembly," consisting of four reclaimed grandfather clocks transformed into psychologically charged dioramas, which has been nominated for the Baloise Art Prize 2025. Metcalf also recently opened a solo exhibition "Gaaaaaaasp" at The Perimeter in London, an immersive installation evoking a 1960s doctor's waiting room and surgical theater, further exploring themes of madness, gendered labor, and Freudian psychology.

galleria continua shilpa gupta

Mumbai-based artist Shilpa Gupta (b. 1976) presents a solo exhibition at Galleria Continua in San Gimignano, on view through September 7, 2025. The show features a range of works from her career, including the large-scale embroidered piece *Untitled (Rectangles on flags of the world)* (2021–25), the monumental sculpture *Truth* (2025), and *100 Hand-drawn Maps of Italy* (2007–2023). Through video, installation, performance, and sculpture, Gupta explores themes of censorship, migration, borders, control, and resilience, engaging viewers with multisensory works that question societal norms.

hunter biden art

The article discusses the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's art career, focusing on his upcoming exhibition at Georges Bergès Gallery in October. Despite limited public exposure to his work, Bergès is pricing Biden's drawings at $75,000 and paintings at $500,000, placing him in the top tier of emerging artists. The White House issued ethics guidelines requiring buyer identities to remain secret from both Biden and the administration, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The author questions the wisdom of selling the art given Biden's public struggles with addiction and his family's political prominence.

barbara hepworth stringed sculptures piano nobile

London's Piano Nobile gallery has opened "Barbara Hepworth: Strings," the first exhibition dedicated to the British sculptor's use of string in her work. The show explores how Hepworth (1903–1975) incorporated string into sculptures, paintings, and drawings from 1939 onward, including pieces never before exhibited in the U.K. Highlights include the rediscovered "Theme on Electronics (Orpheus)," 1956, commissioned by Mullard and long thought lost, and "Pierced Hemisphere (Telstar)," 1963, making its U.K. debut. Curated by Michael Regan, the exhibition draws on Hepworth's letters and archival material to illuminate her innovative approach to tension, space, and light.

a pay to play art show in marfa sparks controversy and more juicy art world gossip

The Marfa Invitational, a small art fair in West Texas, has sparked controversy after pivoting to a new format called the "Marfa Invitational Open." The fair issued an open call to Texas-based artists, charging a $75 application fee and later requiring an additional $150 "installation fee" not disclosed in the original terms. Over 500 artists applied, but many dropped out after the hidden fee was revealed, leading to a boycott campaign. Approximately 160 artists ultimately exhibited at the Saint George Hotel last weekend. The fair had previously faced scandal in 2023 when its tax-exempt status was revoked due to cofounder Michael Phelan's failure to file required paperwork.

qatar lures art basel

MCH Group, parent company of Art Basel, announced a new Doha edition of the Swiss art fair, set to launch in February 2026. Art Basel Qatar will start with 50 galleries and expand to around 200, partnering with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, a commercial arm of Qatar Museums. The fair aims to bolster markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

esther ii conductor alternative art fair reports

During New York Art Week, two smaller art fairs—Esther II and Conductor—offer alternatives to the major events like Frieze and TEFAF. Esther II, now in its second edition, takes place at the Estonian House in Murray Hill, featuring 25 galleries from 17 cities with site-specific installations and performances. Conductor debuts at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, focusing on artists from the Global South and its diasporas, with a unique model that allows artists to fabricate work on-site using the venue's production facilities.

anne imhof sculpting bronze

Anne Imhof, the German artist known for her provocative multimedia performances, is presenting new bronze relief sculptures at the TEFAF art fair (May 9–13) at New York's Park Avenue Armory, the same venue where her performance "DOOM: House of Hope" recently premiered. The works, which debuted in her 2024 exhibition "Wish You Were Gay" at Kunsthaus Bregenz, mark a shift from her signature tech-infused performances to sculptural forms inspired by ancient Greek friezes and Renaissance reliefs. Priced at €250,000 each, the bronzes depict intertwined nude figures, skulls, animals, and apocalyptic imagery, reflecting themes of love, death, and the afterlife.

emily cole museum show

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York, is hosting the largest exhibition of Emily Cole's work since the 19th century. Emily Cole (1843–1913), the daughter of Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole, took up painting in his studio as an adult, creating delicate botanical studies on porcelain ceramics. The show features over 100 pieces from the museum's collection, including works on paper and painted china, alongside contemporary responses from eight women artists such as Ann Agee, Jacqueline Bishop, and Francesca DiMattio.

basquiat christies baby boom

A 1982 Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, "Baby Boom," is returning to auction at Christie's 21st-century evening sale on May 14 in New York, with an estimate of $20 million to $30 million. The work, a triple portrait believed to depict the artist and his parents, has been in private hands for nearly 25 years and is being sold by major Basquiat collector Peter M. Brant. It was previously offered for $35 million in 2017 but did not sell.

basquiat baby boom christies auction

Christie’s will auction Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 painting *Baby Boom* with an estimate of $20–$30 million during its May 14 sale of 21st-century art in New York. The work, which depicts three figures thought to be the artist and his parents, was first shown in a landmark 1982 exhibition at Fun Gallery and later appeared at Lévy Gorvy gallery in 2017 with a $30 million price tag. Its seller at that time was collector Peter Brant.

The Whitney Biennial Is for the Faint-Hearted

A critical review of the 2026 Whitney Biennial argues that the exhibition is timid and fails to directly confront the urgent political crises of the moment, including domestic authoritarianism, state violence, and immigration policies. The reviewer finds the show somber, fearful, and overly focused on mood and introspection, suggesting it represents a retreat from meaningful political engagement.

Thousands of Strips of Silk Undulate in Kenny Nguyen’s ‘Deconstructed Paintings’

Kenny Nguyen, a Vietnamese-born artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina, creates large-scale wall works using thousands of hand-cut strips of silk. Drawing on his background in fashion design, he employs techniques like pinning, weaving, sewing, and layering to produce what he calls “deconstructed paintings.” Each piece is built around an imaginary body, with creases and undulating forms that evoke movement. Though the works appear fixed, they are malleable—their shape changes depending on pin placement during installation. Nguyen’s work is currently on view in the group exhibition *Textile Art Redefined* at Saatchi Gallery in London.

City Life Org - New York Art World Celebrates Angela Davis, Amy Sherald, Clara Wu Tsai, Crystal McCrary, Raymond McGuire at Awards Dinner in NYC

The Gordon Parks Foundation held its annual Awards Dinner and Auction at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, raising nearly $2 million to support its mission of social justice through the arts. The gala honored a distinguished group of changemakers, including activist Angela Davis, painter Amy Sherald, philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai, producer Crystal McCrary, and businessman Raymond McGuire. Hosted by Kaseem Dean (Swizz Beatz) and Executive Director Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr., the event celebrated the enduring legacy of Gordon Parks and his commitment to documenting and advancing civil rights.

Usher, Spike Lee, and Tyler Mitchell Helped Raise $3.7 Million for the Studio Museum in Harlem at a Party for the Ages

The Studio Museum in Harlem hosted a star-studded gala at the Glasshouse in Manhattan, raising $3.7 million to support its upcoming reopening. The event marked a significant milestone for the institution, which has been undergoing extensive renovations for seven years and is scheduled to open its new doors on West 125th Street on November 15. Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden described the evening as a 'threshold' moment, celebrating the museum's legacy of shaping cultural history since its founding in 1968.

The 25th Biennale of Sydney: “Rememory”

The 25th Biennale of Sydney, titled "Rememory," opened in March 2026 across multiple venues in Sydney, including the prominent White Bay Power Station. Curated by Hoor Al-Qasimi, the exhibition features 83 artists and collectives from around the world, presenting works that demand slow, immersive engagement rather than spectacle, with highlights including large-scale textile installations by Edgar Calel and Nikesha Breeze.

Husband of Prominent New York Gallerist Convicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot

Brent Sikkema, a prominent New York gallerist known for championing artists like Kara Walker, was found stabbed to death in his apartment in Brazil in 2024. His husband has now been convicted in a murder-for-hire plot connected to the killing, which occurred amid their divorce proceedings.

Julie Mehretu and John Jasperse Find Common Ground

Julie Mehretu, the celebrated abstract painter, and John Jasperse, a noted choreographer, are collaborating on a joint project at Marian Goodman Gallery in New York. The article explores how the two artists are working together to merge visual art and dance, asking how they can bring something productive to each other’s creative practices.

The Prince of Italian Pop Art Smiles Again

Lévy Gorvy Dayan gallery is presenting a new exhibition that offers fresh insights into the work of Domenico Gnoli, the Italian painter known for his meticulous, oversized depictions of everyday objects and figures. The show highlights both his perfectionist technique and a playful, goofy side to his caricatures of reality, capturing the essence of la dolce vita.

Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art 2026 Review: Up Close and Personal

The 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, titled 'Yield Strength,' features 24 artists across three venues, curated by Ellie Buttrose. The exhibition explores resilience under political and social pressures, with works like Erika Scott's fused assemblages from discarded domestic items, Jennifer Matthew's steel construction that manipulates visitor movement, and Nathan Beard's silicone arms critiquing exoticization of Thai culture. The title borrows an engineering term for the point at which materials transform under stress, reflecting the show's focus on art that strains formal boundaries without breaking.

Gardar Eide Einarsson Leaves You in the Dark

Gardar Eide Einarsson’s latest exhibition at Maureen Paley’s East London space presents a haunting exploration of dissociation and coded information. The show features two distinct series: 'Closed Caption,' a collection of monochrome black gouache paintings featuring isolated subtitles from films, and 'Incendiary Test Area,' a set of hyperrealistic woodblock prints created in collaboration with master Shoichi Kitamura. These prints depict the interiors of mock 'Japanese' houses built by the US Army for fire-bombing tests during World War II.

Notes from New York: Rotting Meat

Artist Jen Liu’s solo exhibition 'Pound of Flesh' at Silverlens New York explores the dehumanizing nature of digital labor through visceral imagery of raw meat. The show features paintings where human consciousness is replaced by butcher-shop cuts and an animated video based on Liu’s research into microworkers—individuals who perform repetitive, low-paid tasks to train AI models. By juxtaposing the biological reality of the body with the clinical extraction of data, Liu highlights the physical and psychological toll of the 'Agentic Age.'

Isabel Nolan on Representing Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale

Artist Isabel Nolan will represent Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 with an exhibition titled 'Dreamshook' in the Arsenale. Her presentation will feature a room of tapestries, sculptures, and drawings, inspired by late Medieval European humanist thinkers who questioned inherent human goodness and sought meaning in earthly life.

sothebys spring modern contemporary evening sale london result

Sotheby’s London achieved a rare "white-glove" result during its spring modern and contemporary evening sale, with every lot finding a buyer. The auction totaled £131 million ($175 million), representing a 110 percent increase over the previous year's equivalent sale. High-profile successes included a record-breaking £5.2 million sale for Leon Kossoff’s "Children’s Swimming Pool" and strong performances for works by Andy Warhol and Josef Albers, largely driven by prestigious consignments like the Lewis Collection.

derrick greaves patrick caulfield james hyman gallery

James Hyman Gallery is presenting a dual-artist online exhibition titled “Signature Pots: Patrick Caulfield | Derrick Greaves,” which runs through December 25, 2025. The show brings together works by two major British artists—Derrick Greaves (1927–2022) and Patrick Caulfield (1936–2005)—exploring their shared focus on still life, color, and form. Greaves, who represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in the 1950s and was associated with the Kitchen Sink painters, later developed a graphic style linked to Pop art. Caulfield emerged in the 1960s as part of the New Generation alongside David Hockney and Bridget Riley. The exhibition highlights how both artists transformed everyday objects into iconic images, with works such as Greaves's "Still Life with White Lillies" (2021) and Caulfield's "Untitled (signature pots)" (ca.1975) demonstrating their mastery of line, shape, and color.

10 most expensive lots sold auction march 2025

In March 2025, major auction houses, particularly in London, achieved strong sales despite the month typically being quiet. Christie’s and Sotheby’s sold ten high-value lots, led by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s *Sabado Noche* (1984) at £8.4 million ($14.5 million). A standout result was M.F. Husain’s *Untitled (Gram Yatra)* (1954), which sold for $13.75 million at Christie’s New York, marking the first time an Indian Modern artwork exceeded $10 million at auction. Other notable sales included works by René Magritte, Yoshitomo Nara, Francis Bacon, Tamara de Lempicka, Amedeo Modigliani, Paul Delvaux, Michael Andrews, and Lisa Brice.

Arielle and the Politics of Beautiful Things

Arielle und die Politik der schönen Dinge

Josefine Reisch presents new works at Noah Klink gallery during Berlin Gallery Weekend. Her paintings combine mermaids, shipping containers, and Euroboxes to explore themes of standardization, global capitalism, and the politics of beauty. The exhibition, titled "Poxy Proxy," is a duo show with Miriam Umiń. Reisch's studio visit reveals her interest in how objects like Eurokisten (standardized plastic crates) and shipping containers symbolize economic progress and power structures, while mermaid imagery from Disney's "Arielle" questions the equation of beautiful things with moral goodness.

Newcastle Art Gallery’s stunning new exhibitions open up a multiverse

Newcastle Art Gallery has opened three new exhibitions following its February reopening with the blockbuster show 'Iconic Loved Unexpected'. The new presentations include Tiyan Baker's solo show 'Mouth Mnemonica', 'The Mordant Family Gift' featuring 25 works donated by philanthropists Simon and Catriona Mordant, and Brian Robinson's 'Multiverse'. The exhibitions collectively showcase a diverse range of national and international artistry, with works by artists such as Gemma Smith, Tim Silver, Alasdair Macintyre, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Baker's solo exhibition focuses on preserving the Bidayǔh language through multimedia works including autostereograms and video installations.

Follow PAPER Undercover at New York Art Week

The article follows the author's undercover experience during New York Art Week, focusing on the simultaneous openings of Frieze New York and TEFAF New York in May. Frieze, held at The Shed in Hudson Yards, features contemporary galleries from 28 countries, while TEFAF at the Park Avenue Armory offers a mix of contemporary art, antiques, and Old Masters. The author highlights standout works, including Kelly Sinnapah Mary's solo presentation at James Cohan and Aki Goto's dental installation at Gallery G, and notes the packed schedule of talks, gallery openings, and museum galas.