Blum Gallery’s Sudden End Shocked the Art Industry. What Happened?

On July 1, 2025, Tim Blum, the powerhouse Los Angeles dealer behind Blum Gallery, announced the sudden closure of his gallery after a 35-year run. The closure includes his Culver City headquarters, his Tokyo space, and a planned Tribeca location that will no longer open. Blum publicly framed the decision as a voluntary "sunset" due to systemic industry issues like over-expansion and burnout, but interviews with artists and staff reveal a more chaotic reality: the closure blindsided employees and artists, many of whom learned about it from news reports or a last-minute staff meeting that excluded Tokyo staff. Sources cite weak sales at Art Basel and Art Basel Hong Kong, poor business decisions—including buying out partner Jeff Poe and renovating a costly New York space—and a lack of severance or transition time as underlying factors.

Jenny Saville: ‘You are having a conversation with the paint, as well as with the sitter’

British artist Jenny Saville, known for her monumental paintings of the female form, is the subject of a major survey exhibition titled "The Anatomy of Painting" at the National Portrait Gallery in London, which opened in June. The show traces her practice from the 1990s to the present day, featuring portrait heads and figures that push the boundaries of portraiture. Saville, who broke the auction record for a living female artist in 2018 when her self-portrait "Propped" (1992) sold for £9.5m at Sotheby's, discusses her influences—including Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, and Frank Auerbach—and her ongoing exploration of corporeality and painterliness in an interview with The Art Newspaper.

The Art World This Week: 20 June 2025

This week's art news is dominated by the opening of Art Basel 2025, where dealers reported a strong start with numerous six-figure sales, including a David Hockney painting at Annely Juda Fine Art for $13–17 million and a $9.5 million Ruth Asawa sculpture at David Zwirner. Other major developments include the Museum of Modern Art announcing a major Marcel Duchamp survey for 2026, the reopening of a historic Paris building (temporary home for Centre Pompidou) after a £395 million rebuild, and the Studio Museum in Harlem receiving a significant gift from Vancouver real estate magnate Bob Rennie. The article also covers gallery representation changes, awards, and the passing of sculptor Joel Shapiro and businessman/art patron Leonard Lauder.

The 10 Best Booths at Art Basel 2025

Art Basel 2025 opened on June 17 with its VIP preview at Messeplatz in Basel, Switzerland, under intense heat. The 55th edition of the fair features 289 galleries from 42 countries, including 19 newcomers, and introduces a new Premiere section for mid-sized galleries showing recent works. Despite a challenging art market, the VIP day saw packed booths, international crowds, and strong sales of six- and seven-figure works, with dealers expressing optimism. The fair also includes returning sections like Statements and Feature, plus Art Basel Unlimited for monumental works, alongside concurrent events such as Liste Art Fair and museum shows by Jordan Wolfson and Steve McQueen.

Frieze and NADA New York’s Early Sales Signal Buyer Confidence

Frieze New York opened its VIP preview on May 7, with early sales indicating cautious but steady buyer confidence amid economic uncertainty and the recent acquisition of the fair by Endeavor's former CEO Ari Emanuel. American buyers dominated, while Asian and European collectors were largely absent. Mega-galleries like Gagosian and Pace reported significant sales, including Jeff Koons's Hulk Elvis sculptures and works by Adam Pendleton and Lynda Benglis, though the atmosphere was more subdued and negotiation-friendly than in previous years.

Frieze VIP day defined by dealers’ resilience

Frieze New York's VIP opening on Wednesday saw strong attendance despite economic uncertainty following President Donald Trump's April 2 tariff announcement, which caused stock market volatility. Gallerists reported early sales driven by institutional buyers, with works by Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Rashid Johnson, Lorna Simpson, Claire Tabouret, and WangShui finding homes at museums including the Moderna Museet, Dallas Museum of Art, and Heredium Museum. Notable sales included Jeff Koons's Hulk (Tubas) for over $3 million at Gagosian and a solo stand sellout for Claire Tabouret at Perrotin.

jean michel basquiat work phillips frieze week sales london

Phillips has announced the lineup for its October London sales during Frieze Week, headlined by Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 work on paper, *Untitled (Pestus)*, estimated at £3 million ($4 million). The 26-lot evening auction on October 16 also includes Andy Warhol's diamond dust portrait of Giorgio Armani (estimate £800,000), Banksy's *Kate Moss* (estimate £1 million), and works by Jadé Fadojutimi, Flora Yukhnovich, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor, Sasha Gordon, and Emma McIntyre. A day sale on October 18 features pieces by Keith Haring, Warhol, Basquiat, Anselm Kiefer, and Yoshitomo Nara.

art guide new york exhibitions

The article reviews the joint exhibition "Hunks" at Bureau gallery in New York, featuring works by painter Julia Rommel and photographer Lucas Blalock. Rommel's post-minimalist abstract paintings, created through folding and stapling canvases, explore color and texture with a personal touch, while Blalock's digitally manipulated photographs blend studio effects and surreal editing. The show runs through February 21, 2026, at the gallery's 112 Duane Street location.

Fair Week in NYC!

New York City is hosting a packed week of art fairs in May 2025, including Frieze at The Shed, Independent Art Fair at Pier 36, TEFAF New York at the Park Avenue Armory, and NADA New York at the Starrett-Lehigh Building. The fairs feature hundreds of international galleries, with Frieze emphasizing Central and South American exhibitors, Independent exploring a dystopian theme, TEFAF offering antiquities and fine art, and NADA celebrating its 12th edition with 121 galleries. The article also notes recent major exhibitions at the New Museum, Whitney Biennial, MoMA PS1, The Met, and MoMA, and includes a guide to Upstate New York art destinations.

A Londra si allestisce un’installazione di Christo e Jeanne-Claude che non si era mai vista prima

An unprecedented installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, titled "Air Package on a Ceiling," is being exhibited for the first time at Gagosian's Grosvenor Hill space in London, opening May 21, 2026. The work was originally conceived in 1968 for the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia but never realized due to technical constraints. It was rediscovered in 2018 when Lorenza Giovanelli, Christo's former studio manager, found a detailed scale model hidden inside a pedestal. The exhibition also includes early works such as "Wrapped Automobile—Volvo, Model PV-544" (1981), not seen in thirty years, alongside preparatory drawings and collages.

Beer With a Painter: Tom Burckhardt

Artist Tom Burckhardt discusses his creative process and upbringing in a studio interview, highlighting his upcoming work and the influence of his New York School lineage. The son of artists Yvonne Jacquette and Rudy Burckhardt, he explores the concept of "mouthfeel" in painting—a textural quality that parallels culinary experiences—while utilizing humor and skepticism to challenge artistic pretension.

Taiwan’s New Typologies

Taiwan is undergoing a significant cultural transformation with the opening of several major municipal art institutions, including the New Taipei City Art Museum, the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, and the Taichung Green Museumbrary. The latter, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, represents a new hybrid typology that merges a public library with an art museum within a sprawling urban park. These institutions are characterized by striking contemporary architecture and a mission to balance international prestige with deep-rooted local art histories.

Two of Keith Haring’s Painted Cars Roll Into New York for the First Time

Two cars painted by Keith Haring in the 1980s are being exhibited together in New York for the first time. The 1963 Buick Special and 1971 Land Rover are on display at the new West Village gallery Free Parking, operated by the platform CART Dept., from April 9 to 19. The exhibition, "Keith Haring: In The Street," coincides with the release of the book *Keith Haring in 3D* and is owned by collector Larry Warsh.

art dealers association cancels 2025 edition of new york fair

The Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) has canceled the 2025 edition of its annual New York art fair, The Art Show, which was scheduled to open at the Park Avenue Armory on October 28. The decision was communicated to members via email and confirmed by ADAA president Susan Sheehan, with the board citing a strategic pause to reimagine the fair for long-term sustainability. The fair has been a staple of the New York social calendar, with its VIP opening night serving as a fundraiser for the Henry Street Settlement, raising over $38 million for the nonprofit over three decades.

Our 5 Favorite Gallery Exhibitions to See This Spring in Paris

Nos 5 expos coups de cœur à voir en galeries ce printemps à Paris

Paris is experiencing a vibrant gallery season this spring, marked by the arrival of major international players and the rediscovery of overlooked artists. Highlights include the opening of Singapore’s Cuturi Gallery at the Palais-Royal with a cross-disciplinary show on decadence, and the London-based Waddington Custot establishing a new space in Saint-Germain-des-Prés with an exhibition bridging Nabis masters and contemporary painters. Other notable shows include a first-ever public look at the surrealist collages of Roland Sig and a dialogue between neo-impressionism and contemporary art at Galerie Pavec.

art collector advice beginner collecting

Cultured magazine asked several seasoned art collectors—Will Bennett, Laurent Asscher, Geoff Snack, Amélie du Chalard, Allison Sarofim, and Pamela Joyner with Fred Giuffrida—to share their most important advice for novice collectors. Their responses range from building relationships with dealers and scouring unexpected sources like eBay and street-side book boxes (Snack) to focusing on an artist's conceptual approach, technical mastery, and aesthetic result (du Chalard). Others emphasize training the eye through constant exposure, buying what you love rather than what is trendy, and developing a focused area of interest to guide acquisitions.

art what to see in nyc galleries right now 2

This week's What's On column highlights must-see gallery shows in New York City, including Simone Fattal's bronze and ceramic works at Greene Naftali and kaufmann repetto, Sol Lewitt's early works at Paula Cooper, Charles Atlas's portraits at Luhring Augustine, John Akomfrah's eight-channel installation at Lisson, and Brenda Goodman's new exhibition at Sikkema Malloy Jenkins. On the Upper East Side, the Metropolitan Museum of Art presents Helene Schjerfbeck's self-portraits in "Seeing Silence," the Jewish Museum features Joan Semmel's radical nudes, and White Cube hosts Marguerite Humeau's cave-inspired show "scintille."

the critics table best art books of the year

Johanna Fateman and Blakey Bessire share their picks for the best art books of the year. Fateman highlights a new edition of Claude Cahun's anti-memoir "Cancelled Confessions or Disavowals" from Siglio Press, featuring photomontages by Cahun and Marcel Moore, and the first monograph on Greer Lankton, "Could It Be Love," edited by Francis Schichtel, Jordan Weitzman, and Nan Goldin with an essay by Hilton Als. Bessire selects "Voice of Space: UFOs and Paranormal Phenomena," a catalog from the Drawing Center exhibition exploring UFOs and altered states, and "Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal," a Hammer Museum catalog edited by Erin Christovale that examines Coltrane's sonic and spiritual work.

art basel paris gallery exhibition guide openings

Cultured magazine published a guide to gallery exhibitions opening during Art Basel Paris, highlighting six shows across Paris galleries. Featured artists include Shelby Jackson (founder of 15 Orient) with his first solo show at Lo Brutto Stahl, Rirkrit Tiravanija at Galerie Chantal Crousel exploring the concept of 'alien,' Tomasz Kowalski at Crèvecoeur, a group show curated by Reena Spaulings at Galerie Hussenot, Yann Stéphane Bisso at Exo Exo, and Walter De Maria at Gagosian Le Bourget. Each entry includes dates, a brief description, and why the show is worth seeing.

art los angeles fall openings review

The article is a review of fall art openings in Los Angeles, written by Juliana Halpert for her Critics’ Table debut. Halpert surveys a range of exhibitions, including Calvin Marcus's show at Karma, Stanya Kahn's solo presentation, the Hammer Museum's "Made in L.A." biennial and its scrappier counterpart "Made in HelLA," Josh Smith's grim reaper paintings at David Zwirner, and Adam Alessi's show at Hoffman Donahue. She also recounts attending the Poetic Research Bureau's 25th anniversary party and fundraiser at 2220 Arts + Archives, where musician Jack Skelley performed. The review weaves a thematic thread of mortality and the macabre, noting how many shows this season engage with death, from fake blood and skulls to sinister landscapes.

rashid johnson guggenheim summer cocktail hamptons

Artists Rashid Johnson and Sheree Hovsepian hosted the Guggenheim Museum's annual summer cocktail party at their East Hampton home, celebrating the launch of the Guggenheim Constellation Council, a new philanthropic group offering global access across the museum's institutions. The evening also honored Johnson's mid-career survey "A Poem for Deep Thinkers," on view at the Guggenheim through January 2026, with guests including gallerist David Kordansky, Hauser & Wirth President Marc Payot, collectors Alan and Alessandra Mnuchin, and Guggenheim Director Dr. Mariët Westermann.

art glenn ligon aspen

Glenn Ligon, the New York–based artist known for probing identity and language through neons, canvases, and essays, is featured on the cover of Cultured's 2025 Aspen issue. He will receive the 2025 Lewis Family Art Award at the Aspen Art Museum's ArtCrush gala this August, and a solo exhibition of his work focusing on self-portraiture and text will open at the Aspen Art Museum this winter. In an interview, Ligon discusses the current American psyche, his artist-driven institutional roots, and his creative process with curator Daniel Merritt.

adrien brody beniecio del toro leslie bibb top june stories

Cultured magazine's June issue features a mix of celebrity profiles and art-world news. Highlights include Benicio del Toro opening up to Scarlett Johansson about filmmaking, Leslie Bibb sharing summer style tips, and Adrien Brody promoting his solo art show 'Made in America' at Eden on Madison Avenue, alongside his musical pursuits. The issue also introduces Cultured's inaugural Young Dealers List, spotlighting 23 galleries under five years old selected from over 100 recommendations by collectors, advisors, and curators.

cultured young dealers list art gallerists

Cultured magazine has published its first Young Dealers List, highlighting 23 galleries under five years old that are revitalizing the art world. The list was compiled from over 100 recommendations gathered from more than 40 collectors, advisors, and curators. The article profiles one of the selected gallerists, Adora Mba, founder of ADA Contemporary Art Gallery in Accra, Ghana, who opened her space in 2020 after working as a cultural news producer. Mba emphasizes supporting emerging African artists and has dedicated her 2025 program to women artists and curators.

Sotheby’s $304M Modern Evening Auction Confirms the Market Has Found Its Footing

Sotheby's Modern Evening Auction on May 19 achieved $304 million with a 98% sell-through rate across 45 lots, more than doubling the total from the equivalent sale in November. The auction was anchored by fresh-to-market masterpieces, including Henri Matisse's "La Chaise Lorraine" from the Barbier-Müller collection, which sold for $48.4 million—the second-highest price for a Matisse painting at auction. Other highlights included works from the Enrico Donati collection, which generated a combined $58.9 million, and Pablo Picasso's "Arlequin (Buste)" (1909) selling for $42.6 million. The sale contributed to a running combined total of $839.6 million for Sotheby's marquee sales, following strong results from the Mnuchin collection and Contemporary Day Auction.

8 Must-See Art Exhibitions in Tokyo This May

This article, published by Tokyo Weekender, lists eight art exhibitions opening in Tokyo during May. The featured shows span a range of venues and styles, including a solo presentation by Yayoi Kusama at the National Art Center, a group show of contemporary Japanese photography at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, and an installation by teamLab at their borderless digital art museum. Other highlights include a retrospective of the Gutai movement at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and a showcase of emerging artists at the Mori Art Museum.

Exhibition | William Turnbull, 'Origins (1946–1959)' at Karma, Chelsea, New York, United States

Scottish artist William Turnbull (1922–2012) is the subject of a new exhibition titled 'Origins (1946–1959)' at Karma gallery in Chelsea, New York. The show surveys Turnbull's early career, focusing on the transformative period after World War II when he moved between Surrealist Paris and Abstract Expressionist New York. It features key works such as the sculpture 'Horse' (1946), inspired by a Parthenon marble at the British Museum, and 'Playground (Game)' (1949), reflecting his interest in phenomenology and movement. The exhibition traces his evolution from an illustrator and Slade School student to a sculptor and painter who engaged elemental forms like the horse, standing figure, and human head.

SWANSEA: British Art Show 10 confirmed for Glynn Vivian next year — the only Welsh stop on a national tour featuring artists from Tracey Emin to Grayson Perry

Swansea has been confirmed as the only Welsh stop on the British Art Show 10 national tour, with the exhibition taking place at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery from February 12 to May 16, 2027. Titled 'A Chorus of Strangers,' the show will also feature venues including the new home for Elysium Gallery and potentially Y Storfa, and will explore themes of Moments of Being, Ways of Living, and States of Nature across various media. Curated by Ekow Eshun, the tour launches in Coventry in October 2026 before visiting Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield, and Newcastle-Gateshead.

Liu Wei’s "You Like Pork?" leads Poly Hong Kong modern and contemporary art sale at US$3.5m

Poly Auction Hong Kong concluded its modern and contemporary art sale on April 6, achieving a total of HK$76.4 million (US$9.8 million) with a 67% sell-through rate. The auction was headlined by Liu Wei’s 1995 masterpiece "You Like Pork?", which sold for HK$27.6 million (US$3.5 million) to a phone bidder. Other top performers included Zao Wou-Ki’s "15.07.67" from his Hurricane period and Wu Dayu’s "Rhymes of Beijing Opera," both of which surpassed the HK$10 million threshold.

The best art books of 2025, as picked by The Art Newspaper’s editors

The Art Newspaper’s editors have selected their top art books of 2025, featuring a diverse range of titles. Highlights include "Kerry James Marshall: The Histories," a catalogue from the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition surveying the American artist’s large-scale history paintings centered on Black figures; "Minimal, edited by Jessica Morgan," which reassesses overlooked Minimalist artists; and "Lee Miller," the Tate Britain exhibition catalogue exploring the photographer’s multifaceted career. Other notable picks include monographs on Celia Paul, Shahzia Sikander, and Edward Gorey, as well as a comprehensive overview of Middle Eastern art from 1900 to now.