banksy unmasked judge granted democratic congresswoman access to kennedy centers plans ahead of todays vote on renovations morning links for march 16 2026 1234777495

A Reuters investigative report has claimed to unmask the anonymous street artist Banksy, identifying him as Robin Gunningham (who later changed his name to David Jones). The report justifies the disclosure by citing public interest in how the artist has monetized his mystique and details the inner workings of his professional circle. Meanwhile, the art world faces several institutional shifts, including the resignation of Richard Grenell from the Kennedy Center amid a legal battle over renovations, and calls for the resignation of Italy’s Venice Biennale representative over Russia's potential return to the exhibition.

Thomas J Price, Artist Behind Viral Times Square Sculpture, Unveils New Bronze in London

Thomas J Price, Artist Behind Viral Times Square Sculpture, Unveils New Bronze in London

Thomas J Price has unveiled a monumental new bronze sculpture, *A Place Beyond*, at the entrance to the V&A East museum in London. The 18-foot-tall figure, his tallest work to date, depicts a young Black woman in contemporary clothing holding a cell phone, created from a composite of many individuals rather than a single model. The sculpture will greet visitors when the new museum branch opens next month.

massive 44 foot long david hockney print to headline christies spring prints season in london 1234777342

Christie’s London has announced that David Hockney’s monumental print 'Autour de la maison, été' (2019) will headline its spring prints season. Measuring nearly 40 feet long and printed on a single sheet of paper, the work depicts the artist’s Normandy estate with a high estimate of £300,000 ($400,000). The piece is noted for its cinematic scale and narrative structure, drawing direct inspiration from the medieval Bayeux Tapestry.

Mary, Queen of Scots Final Letter on View; French Artist Adds Armor to Dalida Sculpture: Morning Links for March 10, 2026

mary queen of scots final letter on view french artist adds armor to dalida sculpture morning links for march 10 2026 1234776708

Perth Museum has unveiled the final letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots, marking the document's first public display in Scotland in three decades. Penned hours before her execution in 1587, the letter to Henry III of France frames her death as a religious martyrdom and is subject to extreme conservation protocols that limit its exhibition frequency. Meanwhile, in Paris, artist Luz has installed a spiked, mirror-encrusted bodice on the famous Dalida bust in Montmartre to protest the tradition of tourists rubbing the sculpture's breasts for luck.

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Marc Restellini’s Institut Restellini is set to release a definitive six-volume catalogue raisonné for Amedeo Modigliani after four decades of research. The publication, which includes 100 newly authenticated works, utilizes a rigorous methodology combining advanced scientific analysis—such as spectrometry and carbon-14 dating—with traditional stylistic evaluation and archival documentation. To mark the launch, Pace Gallery will host events in London and New York in April.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Artist Tod Lippy is launching a mobile protest piece titled "All Of the Gang" during Frieze Los Angeles, featuring an LED truck that displays emails and documents linking prominent art world figures to Jeffrey Epstein. The project highlights correspondence and associations involving major industry names like Larry Gagosian, Leon Black, and David A. Ross, aiming to confront the public with the industry's perceived complicity and lack of accountability.

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.

Collaborations: Robert Rauschenberg, Laurie Anderson, Trisha Brown, and Merce Cunningham at BAM

collaborations robert rauschenberg laurie anderson trisha brown and merce cunningham john cage bam dancing 1234774618

The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is hosting "Dancing with Bob," an international tour celebrating the centennial of Robert Rauschenberg’s birth. The program features restagings of seminal avant-garde dance collaborations, most notably the 1983 masterpiece "Set and Reset," which combined the choreography of Trisha Brown, the music of Laurie Anderson, and the visual design of Rauschenberg. The tour also includes a rare professional restaging of the 1977 piece "Travelogue," a collaboration between Rauschenberg and Merce Cunningham.

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.

rana begum abstractions industrial strength 1234773475

Rana Begum’s solo exhibition, "Reflection," is currently on view at the Gallery at Windsor in Vero Beach, Florida, following its debut at the SCAD Museum of Art. The exhibition showcases Begum’s signature style, which utilizes industrial materials like metal bars and reflectors to create elegant abstractions influenced by American Minimalism and Islamic architecture. The show traces her journey from a young immigrant in the UK to a Royal Academician, highlighting her ability to manipulate light and color through geometric forms.

Louise Nevelson Sculpture at Long Island Synagogue for Sale

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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.

Guardian Art Critic Adrian Searle Steps Down

guaridian art critic adrian searle steps down 1234773458

Chief art critic Adrian Searle is leaving his full-time role at the Guardian after nearly 30 years, with his final article scheduled for April 1. He will continue to contribute occasional pieces to the publication.

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Auction house Bonhams has opened a new 42,000-square-foot flagship headquarters in New York's Steinway Hall, launching a month of exhibitions and sales. The Philadelphia Museum of Art appointed Katherine Anne Paul as its new curator of Indian and Himalayan Art, while the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) awarded its Fund for Black Art Acquisition Prize to Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid, acquiring her painting "Horn Seller." Several galleries announced new artist representations, including Bortolami with Nathlie Provosty and Deborah Schamoni with Mariann Metsis, and auction house Freeman's appointed two senior executives.

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.

jeffrey epstein leon black gagosian picasso sculpture 1234771752

Newly released documents from the Department of Justice reveal that the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was deeply involved in facilitating major art transactions between mega-collector Leon Black and Gagosian gallery. The files detail Epstein's personal communications with Black's lawyers regarding the acquisition of Pablo Picasso's 1931 sculpture *Buste de Femme (Marie-Thérèse)*, a work that was the subject of a legal dispute before Black acquired it for over $115 million. Epstein also assisted in a complex $48 million swap of a Rothko painting for a Picasso through Gagosian in 2012.

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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.