Retrofuturistic Figures Emerge from Wood in Playful Sculptures by Aleph Geddis

Artist Aleph Geddis creates intricate, hand-carved wooden sculptures that blend organic forms with retrofuturistic aesthetics. His work oscillates between abstraction and figuration, drawing inspiration from his nomadic lifestyle between Japan, Bali, and the Pacific Northwest. Currently, Geddis is exploring varying scales of production, ranging from intimate, toy-like "Littles" to a massive, immersive installation designed for the upcoming Burning Man festival.

New gallery celebrating craftmanship and art opens

The historic Hopton Hall Estate has opened a new gallery in Ashbourne, England, called the Hopton Hall Gallery. The gallery, housed in an 18th-century building that previously served as a butcher's, clockmaker's, and draper's shop, is the creation of estate owners Chris and Andi Harvey. Its inaugural exhibition, 'Brushed Light: Atmospheric Watercolours,' features works by local artists, and the gallery will host a rotating program of exhibitions and events through at least May 2027.

design aspen home dana garman jim jacobson

Dana Garman Jacobsen and Jim Jacobsen purchased a 1970s West End house in Aspen, Colorado, after Dana felt an irresistible pull toward the property during a ski trip. The home, previously owned by Chicago philanthropist Joan Harris, features a post-and-beam structure reminiscent of their Richard Neutra house in Los Angeles, with a swimming pool integrated into the living space and architectural details that frame mountain views. The couple furnished the interiors with pieces from Dana's collection, including Børge Mogensen sofas and a Biedermeier chaise lounge, and crafted bed frames from a 150-year-old walnut tree.

fashion van cleef arpels paris atelier

Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Paris atelier to Cultured magazine for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the jewelry house's craft traditions. The article profiles artisans such as a smelter, diamond cutter, threader, quality controller, polisher, and jeweler, who describe their work on iconic pieces like the Zip necklace—a design originally conceived in 1938 at the suggestion of the Duchess of Windsor and perfected over decades.

panama tomb riches sacrifice 1234776467

Archaeologists at El Caño Archaeological Park in central Panama have uncovered a 1,000-year-old tomb belonging to a high-ranking chieftain of the Gran Coclé culture. The burial chamber, designated as Tomb 3, contains a staggering collection of gold artifacts, including pectorals, earrings, and ornaments featuring crocodile and bat motifs. Crucially, the 'Lord of Tomb 3' was found buried alongside several other individuals, suggesting a practice of ritual human sacrifice intended to accompany the leader into the afterlife.

gladwell and patterson james doran webb peter wileman 2747110

British artist James Doran-Webb is set to debut his first solo exhibition with the venerable UK gallery Gladwell and Patterson during Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week 2026. Known for his intricate wildlife sculptures crafted from reclaimed driftwood, Doran-Webb’s practice transforms weathered, inanimate natural materials into dynamic animal forms such as horses, owls, and meerkats. The presentation will pair these contemporary sculptures with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to create an immersive environment.

object museum oldest egyptian drilling tool found 1234772829

A small copper-alloy object, excavated nearly a century ago from a predynastic cemetery at Badari in Upper Egypt, has been re-identified as the world's oldest known Egyptian bow drill. Dating to the late 4th millennium BCE, the tool pushes back the earliest evidence for this technology in Egypt by about 2,000 years, revealing that Egyptian craftspeople mastered efficient rotary drilling much earlier than previously thought.

sothebys is selling a watch gifted to admiral nelson before his last and defining victory at the battle of trafalgar 1234766915

Sotheby’s is auctioning a historic watch gifted to Admiral Horatio Nelson by officers of the HMS Victory in 1805, just weeks before his death at the Battle of Trafalgar. The gilt metal, gold, and enamel timepiece, known as the “Victory Watch,” is the top lot in Sotheby’s “Fine Watches” online sale, with a high estimate of £400,000 ($537,000). It is the first time the watch has come to auction in 20 years, and the current bid stands at £65,000 ($87,300).

vanderbilt sapphire phillips geneva jewels 1234761304

Phillips’s “Geneva Jewels Auction” on Monday achieved CHF 13.7 million ($17 million) in total sales, with 96 of 113 lots sold (85% sell-through rate). Twelve lots from the Vanderbilt family sold out, contributing CHF 3.42 million ($4.25 million)—four times their low estimate. The top lot was “The Vanderbilt Sapphire,” a 42-karat sugarloaf Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch by Tiffany & Co., which sold for CHF 2.88 million ($3.57 million), exceeding its $1–1.5 million estimate. Other highlights included a Cartier Magnificent diamond brooch ($560,582), a Bulgari “Serpenti” belt ($368,383), and multiple Cartier “Panthère” jewels. The auction drew over 1,600 visitors and bids from 44 countries.

the bestiary of cartier a wild history in jewels 2643542

Cartier's new High Jewelry collection, Nature Sauvage, explores animal vitality through bold abstraction and inventive form, moving away from literal depictions of fur or feathers. The collection includes pieces like the Koaga necklace, which distills a zebra into graphic onyx and diamond stripes. The article traces the history of Cartier's animal jewelry, beginning with the iconic Panthère motif introduced in 1949 by creative director Jeanne Toussaint, and highlights other historic pieces such as the Flamingo brooch (1940) and the Celestun Necklace. It notes that Cartier's big cats became status symbols for glamorous women from Hollywood and society, who would request bespoke designs from the Rue de la Paix boutique.

ancient buddhist artifacts found in thailand 2644247

Workers installing a drainage system beneath Wat Dhammachak Semaram, a Buddhist temple in northeastern Thailand, discovered a cache of ancient relics buried just over a meter deep. The find includes 33 bronze, silver, and gold items such as rings, earrings, and two repoussé plaques—one gold depicting a seated Buddha in the teaching gesture, and one tin showing a standing Buddha with attendants. Archaeologists from Thailand’s fine arts department conducted a second phase of excavation, uncovering the plaques and a soil deposit embedded with metal sheets behind the temple’s famous 40-foot reclining Buddha.

Centuries-old pottery firm Denby set to call in administrators

The 217-year-old British pottery firm Denby has called in administrators, putting nearly 600 jobs at risk and threatening the closure of the historic Derbyshire manufacturer. The company, which also owns the Burleigh brand, struggled with soaring gas costs, higher labor expenses, tighter financial markets, and softening consumer demand for its premium homeware, leading to a 17% sales drop in its most recent accounts.

Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris opens "Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai Court" from May 13 to November 1, 2026. The exhibition features over a hundred garments, accessories, and textile pieces from the Thai royal family's collections, focusing on how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving traditional codes through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. The show also highlights the work of the SUPPORT Foundation, established by Queen Sirikit to safeguard traditional crafts, and the ongoing legacy carried by Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari.

Saudi pavilion at Venice Biennale turns fractured heritage into monumental art installation

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a large-scale installation by artist Dana Awartani at the 61st Venice Biennale, held at the Arsenale. Titled "May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones," the work covers the entire floor of the Saudi national pavilion and incorporates over 29,000 sunbaked clay bricks and mosaic patterns inspired by Islamic geometric art. The installation references 23 heritage sites across the Arab world that have been damaged or destroyed by conflict, and was produced over nearly 30,000 artisan hours with 32 craftspeople at a studio outside Riyadh. Curated by Antonia Carver with assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi, the piece emphasizes traditional craftsmanship and collective skill-sharing.

Clutch City Craft at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston

The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) has opened the exhibition 'Clutch City Craft,' which explores the craft traditions and material cultures that define Houston. The show features a diverse range of making practices, from mosaic street signs and cowboy boot making to fiber artists involved in aerospace design, framing the city's creative density as an extension of its industrial identity.

Tides of creation: New IU Eskenazi Museum exhibit explores ocean biodiversity through art

The Indiana University Eskenazi Museum of Art has opened “Mulyana: Vital Ecosystems,” an immersive exhibition by Indonesian artist Mulyana. The installation features a vibrant underwater world constructed from hand-knitted crochet, felt, and repurposed plastic waste, including takeout bags collected during the pandemic. Central to the display is the artist’s signature character, "Mogus," an octopus-like creature that serves as a symbol of empathy and environmental stewardship.

Exhibition of art from local Limerick artist on display at Dooradoyle Library

Limerick-based artist and retired civil engineer David Murphy is presenting a solo exhibition titled "One Minute to View a Lifetime" at the Dooradoyle Library. The collection features paintings that are the result of a meticulous, month-long process per piece, emphasizing the contrast between the speed of modern observation and the duration of creative labor. The exhibition is scheduled to remain open to the public until March 7.

Now open: Salisbury exhibit meshes visual art with automobiles

The Waterworks Visual Art Center in Salisbury, North Carolina, has opened a new exhibition titled "The Spark That Drives Us," which explores the intersection of visual art and automotive design. Featuring works by five internationally-acclaimed automobile artists—Heidi Mraz, Stefan Johansson, Michael Furman, Dan McCrery, and Richard Pietruska—the show includes watercolor paintings, mixed-media pieces, and sculptures, alongside two rare cars: a 1957 Dawson Ferret from Ray Evernham's collection and a 1954 Martin Stationette from the Lane Motor Museum. The exhibition runs through February 28, 2026.

Louis Vuitton Just Opened an Art Deco Exhibition in Paris

Louis Vuitton has opened a new exhibition in Paris celebrating its influence on the Art Deco movement, staged on the 100th anniversary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Featuring over 300 objects—many never publicly shown before—the immersive show spans eight themed rooms, including a reconstruction of the brand's original 1925 stand, archival designs, and contemporary pieces by Nicolas Ghesquière, Pharrell Williams, Marc Jacobs, and Kim Jones.

Playful and Provocative, the Artist Tom Friedman Lands in Seoul and New York

The New York Times profiles American artist Tom Friedman, known for his playful and provocative sculptures and installations that often use everyday materials like toothpicks, aspirin, and cereal boxes. The article highlights his concurrent exhibitions in Seoul and New York, showcasing his career-spanning work that blends humor, meticulous craftsmanship, and conceptual depth.

100 Years of Leighton House

Leighton House in London has announced a year-long centenary program for 2026, marking 100 years since the house opened as a museum. The centerpiece is "The Arab Hall: Past and Present" (21 March – 4 October 2026), featuring three site-specific installations by artists Ramzi Mallat, Kamilah Ahmed, and Soraya Syed, a short film by Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan, and an exhibition of original designs by George Aitchison, William De Morgan, and Walter Crane, alongside new research by Dr. Melanie Gibson published in a fully illustrated book. The museum is also collecting public memories and memorabilia for a Centenary Archive, and has formed an Advisory Panel to inform the exhibition.

Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition

Tokyo City View is hosting 'Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Creative Journey', the first large-scale retrospective dedicated to the legendary manga artist who died in 2023. The show, running until September 7, traces his seven-decade career through original drawings discovered after his death, immersive installations, and recreations of his creative space, highlighting iconic works like 'Space Battleship Yamato', 'Galaxy Express 999', and 'Space Pirate Captain Harlock'.

Acne Studios opens its first gallery at the Palais Royal

Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios will open its first permanent art gallery on June 26 under the historic arches of the Palais Royal in Paris. The gallery follows the editorial line of Acne Paper, the brand's biannual publication, and will host a multidisciplinary program including exhibitions, talks, book signings, and cultural events. Its inaugural exhibition features the experimental photography of Dutch artist Paul Kooiker.

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square To Host Asako Iwamizu Solo Exhibition

Japanese artist Asako Iwamizu will present a month-long solo exhibition at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square's White Box gallery starting May 1, 2025. The show features her signature "Kimekomi Art," which combines traditional Japanese kimekomi techniques with fabric scraps and remnants, using both Japanese and British textiles. The exhibition includes interactive workshops on May 17 and 18, and coincides with London Craft Week (May 12–18, 2025), a major annual festival celebrating craftsmanship. Iwamizu will also collaborate with tailors from Savile Row to create new works from local fabric waste.

From France to the U.S., an Exhibition on the Luxury Ties That Bind

Dozens of French luxury houses and institutions will converge on Manhattan for the cross-cultural exhibition “Hidden Treasures: 250 Years of Franco-American Luxury Stories.” The show explores the historical and ongoing ties between French luxury craftsmanship and American culture, spanning 250 years of exchange.

A Fountain of Creativity from Arid Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has launched a significant design exhibition in Milan, showcasing a collection that blends the nation's ancient cultural traditions with contemporary aesthetics. The showcase features works inspired by the arid landscapes and rich artisanal history of the Central Asian republic, marking a deliberate effort to export its unique creative identity to a global audience during a major international design moment.

How Two Men with Hard Heads Broke Through Murano’s Glass Ceiling

Edoardo Pandolfo and Francesco Palù, the founders of the glass brand 6:AM, are revitalizing the traditional glassmaking industry of Murano with a contemporary, "punk" sensibility. By collaborating with master artisans and pushing the technical boundaries of the medium, the duo creates avant-garde pieces that challenge the island's historical aesthetic while maintaining its rigorous craftsmanship standards.

In Shaker Design, a Zeal for No Zeal

The New York Times explores the enduring influence of Shaker design on contemporary artists and designers, highlighting how its principles of simplicity, utility, and spiritual integrity resonate in today's world. The article features creators like furniture maker Thomas Moser and ceramicist Mary Law, who draw directly from Shaker aesthetics of plainness, proportion, and honest craftsmanship.

A new cultural space that works on the memory of the city (also through postcards) has been born in Rome

A Roma è nato un nuovo spazio culturale che lavora sulla memoria della città (anche attraverso le cartoline)

A new cultural space called URBS has opened in Rome's Testaccio district, founded by architect Andrea D'Antrassi in collaboration with Giovanni Colombara. The space debuted in 2024 as "The Smallest Museum by URBS," a 20-square-meter venue housing over 1,600 historical postcards of the city, creating a visual archive spanning different eras. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, such as the current show "Not Mine, Not Yours" by Iranian artist Mehrdad Shadrooh, curated by Barbara Blasi, which draws from a family video-photo archive covering over eighty years of history. A commercial space has also been opened in Trastevere.

A review of the 2026 Venice Biennale without naming a single artist

Una recensione della Biennale di Venezia 2026 senza nominare neppure un artista

This review of the 2026 Venice Biennale describes an exhibition that overcame dire circumstances—the death of curator Koyo Kouoh early in preparations, losses of key artists, and international political controversies—to deliver a surprisingly joyful and engaging show. Titled "In Minor Keys," the Biennale features a well-conceived, flowing presentation across the Giardini and Arsenale that prioritizes beauty, craftsmanship, and hope over a punitive or documentary tone.