christies triple header 20th and 21st century evening sales nets 265 m as london proves its still a draw to collectors 1234776027

Christie’s London achieved a robust £197.5 million ($265 million) across a triple-header of evening sales, including the 20th/21st Century, Art of the Surreal, and the Vanthournout Collection auctions. The evening was headlined by a record-breaking £26.3 million sale of Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture 'King and Queen', alongside new auction highs for Surrealist artists Toyen and Dorothea Tanning. Despite some pre-sale withdrawals and a marathon four-hour runtime, the house achieved a 96 percent sell-through rate by lot.

director of museo national de colombia liliana angulo cortes dies at 51 art centers in beirut pause programming amid war morning links for march 5 2026 1234775819

Liliana Angulo Cortés, the trailblazing director of the Museo Nacional de Colombia, has died at age 51. As the first Afro-Colombian artist to lead the historic institution, she was instrumental in diversifying the museum's collection and shifting its focus toward colonial remembrance and the representation of Black and Indigenous communities. Meanwhile, major art centers in Beirut, including the Sursock Museum and the Beirut Art Center, have suspended operations due to escalating regional conflict and airstrikes.

emmi whitehorse white cube gallery representation 1234775774

White Cube has announced the representation of Navajo artist Emmi Whitehorse, who will be represented alongside her New York gallery, Garth Greenan. The partnership follows Whitehorse’s successful solo exhibition at White Cube’s Paris space and her inclusion in the 2024 Venice Biennale. The gallery plans to debut new work, including the painting "Father Sky meets Mother Earth," at its Art Basel Hong Kong booth later this month.

anicka yi pace future ai interview 1234775593

Conceptual artist Anicka Yi has joined Pace Gallery, where she will be represented in partnership with Gladstone Gallery, 47 Canal, and Esther Schipper. Known for her research-heavy practice that utilizes scents, bacteria, and robotics, Yi cited Pace CEO Marc Glimcher’s background in biology and the gallery's history with light and space pioneers as primary reasons for the move. Her work will be featured in the New Museum’s upcoming expansion inaugural exhibition, "New Humans: Memories of the Future."

career making turner watercolor goes on view artist anicka yi joins pace mosaic artist isaiah zagar dies morning links for march 4 2026 1234775605

Conceptual artist Anicka Yi has joined Pace Gallery in a multi-gallery partnership, marking a significant move for her tech-heavy, microbiology-based practice. Meanwhile, the art world mourns the passing of Isaiah Zagar, the visionary mosaic artist behind Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, who died at age 86. Additionally, a pivotal JMW Turner watercolor that launched his career in 1799 is set to go on public display for the first time in over two centuries at Gainsborough’s House.

dealers abuzz frieze los angeles vip day frenzy 1234774824

The VIP opening of Frieze Los Angeles at Santa Monica Airport saw a surge of high-value transactions and heavy foot traffic from both local and international collectors. Major galleries reported multi-million dollar sales within the first few hours, including a $2.8 million work by Njideka Akunyili Crosby at David Zwirner and a sold-out booth of Conny Maier paintings at Hauser & Wirth. Dealers described the atmosphere as a "frenzy," noting that sales figures in some cases already tripled their performance at previous major fairs like Art Basel Miami Beach.

Nan Goldin: Why The Ballad of Sexual Dependency is So Important

nan goldin the ballad of sexual dependency why so important 1234773582

Gagosian London is hosting an exhibition of all 126 photographs from Nan Goldin’s seminal work, "The Ballad of Sexual Dependency," to mark the 40th anniversary of the photobook's publication. The exhibition traces the evolution of the project from its origins as a DIY slideshow performance in New York nightclubs to its status as a cornerstone of contemporary photography, featuring intimate portraits of Goldin’s inner circle across New York, Berlin, and beyond.

LA Artist Judy Baca Accused of Misusing Funds for Historic Mural; French President Stung by Louvre Chaos

la artist judy baca accused of misusing funds for historic mural french president stung by louvre chaos morning links for february 26 2026 1234774638

Renowned Chicano artist Judy Baca and the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) are facing allegations of financial misconduct regarding the expansion of 'The Great Wall of Los Angeles.' Ten former employees claim that millions in grant funds were misused and that Baca inappropriately profited from the sale of archives and artwork related to the historic 2,700-foot mural. Both Baca and the SPARC board have issued strong denials against these claims.

british museum funding bayeux tapestry transport 1234774260

The British Museum has allocated £1.2 million to facilitate the transport of the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry from Normandy to London for a high-profile exhibition scheduled for 2026. This funding covers the logistical complexities of moving the 230-foot-long masterpiece, which is further protected by a £800 million UK Treasury guarantee. Despite the museum's rigorous planning and expert oversight, the loan has faced significant pushback from conservationists and public figures.

art sg 2026 sales report 1234771224

ART SG concluded its 2026 edition at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands with steady sales and a reported attendance of 43,000 visitors. While the fair lacked the million-dollar trophy sales seen in previous years, blue-chip galleries like Thaddaeus Ropac and White Cube reported significant transactions, including a £475,000 Raqib Shaw painting and a sell-out presentation of Lee Bae works by Johyun Gallery totaling $2.76 million. The event also featured a strategic partnership with S.E.A. Focus, integrating the boutique fair into the main hall to highlight regional talent.

Louise Nevelson Sculpture at Long Island Synagogue for Sale

louise nevelson sculpture long island synagogue for sale 1234773933

Temple Beth El, a synagogue in Great Neck, New York, has announced the sale of a monumental 55-foot-long Louise Nevelson sculpture titled "The White Flame of the Six Million." Commissioned in the 1960s as a Holocaust memorial and functional Torah ark, the white-painted wood installation has served as the centerpiece of the congregation's sanctuary for over 50 years. Due to dwindling membership and a decision to sell the synagogue property, the congregation is seeking a new home for the massive work.

Louvre Theft Caused by Mismanagement; Veterans Sue to Halt Building of Arc de Trump: Morning Links for February 20, 2026

louvre theft caused by mismanagement veterans sue to halt building of arc de trump morning links for february 20 2026 1234774018

A French parliamentary commission has released a scathing report accusing the Louvre of systemic mismanagement and a 'denial of risks' following the October 2025 theft of the French crown jewels. The investigation suggests the museum operates as an unaccountable 'state within a state,' leading to security failures that enabled the high-profile heist. Meanwhile, veterans have filed a lawsuit to block the construction of the 'Arc de Trump' monument in Washington D.C., and the National Constitution Center faces leadership turmoil amid political pressure.

Judge Orders Return of Slavery Exhibit at President's House; Barbican Director Devyani Saltzman Departs | Morning Links for February 17, 2026

judge orders return of slavery exhibit at presidents house barbican director devyani saltzman departs morning links for february 17 2026 1234773548

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily rehang an exhibition about slavery at the President's House monument in Philadelphia, blocking its removal by the Interior Department and National Park Service. The judge compared the government's attempt to alter historical facts to the "Ministry of Truth" from George Orwell's '1984'.

david hockney to paint 32 foot window installation for turner contemporary in margate 1234773520

David Hockney will create a monumental 22-by-32-foot window installation for the Sunley Gallery at Turner Contemporary in Margate, UK. The work, based on a 2020 iPad painting of a Normandy sunrise, will be illuminated at night and is scheduled to be on view from April 1 to November 1 as part of the gallery's 15th-anniversary celebrations.

art basel hong kong 2026 fair highlights 1234773283

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 will feature 240 galleries and an expanded program, including the Asia debut of the digital-focused Zero 10 section and a reimagined Encounters section. The Encounters section, curated by a team led by Mami Kataoka, will feature 12 large-scale works based on the Five Elements theme, with pieces by artists like Suki Seokyeong Kang and Parag Tandel. The Film section is under new curation by Ellen Pau, and the fair coincides with major exhibitions at institutions like M+.

david bowie immersive exhibition london lightroom april 1234773146

A new immersive exhibition titled "David Bowie: You're Not Alone" will open at Lightroom in London on April 22. The show, organized by creative director Mark Grimmer, will feature projected performance footage, interviews, film clips, and drawings, including newly recovered footage of Bowie's 1978 "Heroes" performance at Earl's Court.

louis fratino david zwirner representation 1234773047

Painter Louis Fratino has joined the mega-gallery David Zwirner, adding the powerhouse to his existing representation by Berlin's Galerie Neu and New York's Sikkema Malloy Jenkins. This multi-gallery arrangement is a departure from the typical practice of artists severing ties with smaller galleries when aligning with a global giant.

art basel qatar preview galleries 1234771706

Art Basel has launched its first edition in Doha, Qatar, with a deliberately small and tightly controlled format. The fair features only 87 galleries, all required to mount solo presentations, with strict limits on booth size, power sources, and rehanging of works. This creates a slower, calmer atmosphere distinct from its larger, more chaotic sister fairs in Miami and Paris.

art galleries join anti ice national strike 1234771368

A significant number of New York art galleries, including major players like Pace Gallery, David Zwirner, and Marian Goodman, will close on January 30 to join a nationwide general strike protesting expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The strike is a response to allegations of federal overreach, including the use of deadly force against protestors and the detention of Native Americans, which have fueled widespread outrage.

leon black art collection revealed jeffrey epstein file 1234771582

A 51-page document released as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files appears to catalog the extensive private art collection of billionaire collector and former MoMA board chair Leon Black. The document, which lists works by masters from Michelangelo to Picasso under corporate entities linked to Black, reveals valuations and details of a collection largely kept from public view, including works held as promised gifts to major museums like MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

swiss artist publisher childrens books rachel harrison 1234771027

Rachel Harrison's recent exhibition "The Friedmann Equations" at Greene Naftali in New York was a highlight of 2025, featuring her signature brainy, oblique, and funny sculptures and drawings. The show included works alluding to Marcel Duchamp and his alter-ego Rrose Sélavy, as well as drawings riffing on Hans Holbein's portraits of Henry VIII and his court. During a visit to the gallery, Harrison's dealer Carol Greene handed the author a copy of Harrison's new children's book, "Hold Still, Henry!", which reproduces those Holbein-inspired drawings in a board-book format for young readers. The book is published by Rookie Books, a small press founded in 2022 by artist Camillo Paravicini of Basel, Switzerland, who has previously worked with artists like Monster Chetwynd, Martin Parr, and Nathalie Du Pasquier.

london courtauld new contemporary art galleries blavatnik 1234771100

London’s Courtauld Gallery will open two new contemporary art galleries at its Somerset House campus, funded by a £10 million ($13.8 million) gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation. The top-floor spaces, originally built as a display area for the Royal Society in the 18th century, are expected to debut in 2029. The donation brings the foundation’s total support for the Courtauld to £20 million ($27.5 million), following earlier backing for the museum’s 2021 renovation. The new galleries will be programmed in part by students in the Courtauld’s curating master’s program and will host exhibitions connecting historical and contemporary art.

big name artists donate works to auction benefitting gaza courtauld unveils plans for two new contemporary art galleries morning links for january 27 2026 1234771112

A group of 21 artists, including Antony Gormley, Brian Eno, and Mona Hatoum, have donated works to “Seeds of Solidarity,” an art auction organized by Health Workers 4 Palestine to support medical professionals in Gaza. The sale will take place on February 1 at The Savoy in London, with proceeds benefiting the Gaza Medics Solidarity Fund, which provides stipends for doctors, supports mobile clinics, and helps rebuild maternity wards. Separately, the Courtauld in London announced plans for two new contemporary art galleries and a reading room at Somerset House, funded by a £10 million donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, as part of an £82 million redevelopment set to open in 2029.

seyni awa camara sculptor dead 1234770913

Seyni Awa Camara, a Diola sculptor from Bignona, Senegal, known for her totemic clay sculptures of stacked human bodies, has died. Her work, steeped in spirituality and inspired by a ram's horn she called a 'genie,' gained international recognition after being discovered by anthropologist Michèle Odeyé-Finzi and introduced to Europe by gallerist André Magnin. Despite her global following—including fans like Pharrell Williams and Louise Bourgeois—Camara remained largely unknown in her home country, relying on foreign buyers to sustain her practice.

fog design art fair san francisco sales 2026 jack whitten 1234770684

The FOG Design+Art fair in San Francisco opened with a glitzy preview gala at Fort Mason Center, serving as a fundraiser for SFMOMA's education initiatives. VIP tickets started at $10,000 for the first hour, and by 7 p.m., the event filled to capacity as prices dropped to $250. Dealers reported a different energy this year, partly due to the recent Los Angeles wildfires affecting many participating galleries. Sales were strong, with New York dealer Ales Ortuzar selling multiple works by Suzanne Jackson in the first few hours. Local collector Sonya Yu, a recent ARTnews Top 200 listee, highlighted the resilience and sophistication of the Bay Area art community.

aldrich museum decennial 2026 survey connecticut artists 1234769786

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut, has announced a new recurring exhibition series called the Aldrich Decennial, which will take place every ten years. The inaugural edition, titled “I am what is around me,” runs from June 7, 2026, to January 10, 2027, and features 40 artists living and working in Connecticut who have not previously exhibited in the state. Organized by chief curator Amy Smith-Stewart and curatorial and publications manager Caitlin Monachino, the survey spans the museum’s entire campus and includes high-profile names such as Dominic Chambers, Tammy Nguyen, Em Rooney, Aki Sasamoto, and Julia Wachtel, with artists ranging in age from Lucy Sallick (born 1937) to Remy Sosa (born 1995).

new museum sets reopening date in march phillips to sell ex us ambassador to denmarks collection morning links for january 13 2026 1234769584

The New Museum in New York will reopen on March 21 after a two-year closure, following a major expansion designed by OMA’s Shohei Shigematsu with Rem Koolhaas that adds 60,000 square feet, nearly doubling exhibition space. The reopening weekend offers free admission and features new commissions by Tschabalala Self, Klára Hosnedlová, and Sarah Lucas, along with the inaugural exhibition “New Humans: Memories of the Future” showcasing over 200 artists. Separately, Phillips will auction the collection of former US Ambassador to Denmark John L. Loeb Jr., comprising the largest private trove of Danish art, with highlights by Vilhelm Hammershøi, Bertha Wegmann, P. S. Krøyer, and Anna Ancher, expected to exceed $12 million.

columbia museum new collection galleries renovation 1234769385

The Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina, is unveiling newly reconfigured collection galleries to cap its 75th anniversary and culminate a yearlong renovation. The museum will reopen its collection galleries following a gala on January 16, presenting a newly conceived display across 20 galleries. The reinstalled galleries draw from the museum’s American, Asian, European, and modern and contemporary holdings, including Italian Renaissance works from the Kress Collection, an Asian gallery anchored by Chinese art from the Tang dynasty, and thematic galleries focused on landscape, still life, and art and architecture. The renovation, which began in January 2025, included new lighting and ceilings, reinforced walls, and conservation work on pieces by Sam Gilliam, Teiji Takai, and Benjamin Wilson.

amy sillman david zwirner representation departs gladstone 1234769005

David Zwirner Gallery now represents New York-based artist Amy Sillman, whose colorful paintings and drawings bridge figuration and abstraction. She previously worked with Gladstone Gallery, where her 2018 show “Mostly Drawing” was praised by critic Phyllis Tuchman. Sillman continues her relationships with Thomas Dane Gallery in London and Capitain Petzel in Berlin, and will participate in a three-person exhibition at Chantel Crousel in Paris this summer. Her first show at Zwirner is scheduled for 2027.

david diao icons 2025 1234750608

Artist David Diao reflects on his long engagement with Barnett Newman's work, from his 1966 experience as an art handler installing Newman's 'Stations of the Cross' series at the Guggenheim Museum to his own paintings that reference Newman both admiringly and critically. Diao's 1992 work 'Barnett Newman: Paintings by Title & Size' lists all 118 of Newman's paintings against a red background, treating them as inventory rather than masterpieces, while later works like 'BN: Spine 2' (2013) incorporate the worn fold of a Newman catalog cover. The article, based on a studio visit, captures Diao's matter-of-fact perspective on Newman's art and his own decades-long dialogue with the Abstract Expressionist.