Community Art Shines In Latest Exhibition At Gallery

The Griffith Regional Art Gallery recently debuted "Roots & Reflections," a community-focused exhibition featuring over 60 works from local artists. Curated by Melanie Toscan, the show spans diverse mediums including sculpture, painting, photography, and a collaborative 3D installation. A unique highlight of the exhibition is a section of anonymous, fixed-price paintings sold for $85, where the artist's identity remains a mystery to the buyer until the show concludes.

Three years after, Adelakun takes 45 KókóEwà to Mydrim

Prince Saheed Adelakun has returned to Mydrim Gallery in Lagos for a solo exhibition titled "KókóẸwà" (Essence of Beauty), featuring 45 new works. The exhibition is divided into two distinct series: "Dúdúyẹmí," which celebrates the natural richness of dark skin and traditional adornments, and "Ojú Tó ń Sọ̀rọ̀," a collection of portraits focusing on the expressive power of the human gaze. Utilizing a unique and labor-intensive rope medium, Adelakun explores themes of femininity, resilience, and cultural identity.

New Henry Art Gallery Exhibition ‘ojo|-|ólǫ́’ invites conversation about Indigenous knowledge preservation

Diné artist Eric-Paul Riege has launched his largest exhibition to date, titled “ojo|-|ólǫ́,” at the Henry Art Gallery. The show features large-scale soft sculptures, wearable art, and multimedia installations that reinterpret traditional Navajo symbols like the weaving comb and the hogan. Central to the exhibition is Riege’s rejection of traditional museum barriers; he encourages visitors to touch the tactile, plush works to honor the many hands involved in the production of his materials.

Rocío Sáenz: Wild Order

ROCÍO SÁENZ: ORDEN SALVAJE

Mexican artist Rocío Sáenz presents "Orden salvaje" (Wild Order) at the Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara (MUSA), an exhibition featuring over 60 works created over three years. Spanning painting, ceramics, photography, and drawing, the collection explores the tension between beauty and horror, specifically addressing the harrowing reality of forced disappearances in Mexico. The exhibition is designed as an open studio, showcasing the artist's creative process alongside finished pieces that utilize black humor and satire to navigate themes of death and reconstruction.

Jan Vorisek’s Flaccid Columns

Artist Jan Vorisek's exhibition at Arcadia Missa features sculptures titled IGBTTLTVOE (Elbow), created from mass-produced plastic moulds used for casting decorative Doric columns. The artist modifies these cheap, prefabricated objects with 3D-printed curved sections, bending them into flaccid, wormlike structures that undermine their intended classical dignity and function.

An exhibition centered on Bartholdi's Champollion, deposited in Nogent-sur-Seine

Une exposition autour du Champollion de Bartholdi, déposé à Nogent-sur-Seine

The Musée Camille Claudel in Nogent-sur-Seine is hosting a new exhibition centered around Auguste Bartholdi’s monument to Jean-François Champollion. The statue, recently transferred from the courtyard of the Collège de France by the Fonds national d’art contemporain, serves as the focal point for a display that explores the history and significance of the work. The exhibition provides a scholarly counter-narrative to recent ideological criticisms surrounding the monument's iconography.

Dutch Museum Discovers 8-Inch Ancient Roman Phallus

Archaeologists at the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen discovered a rare, eight-inch Ancient Roman phallus carved from bone while cataloging a massive backlog of 16,000 archaeological boxes. The artifact was found alongside high-quality Roman tableware during an €8 million government-funded inventory project aimed at processing collections from defunct storage depots in the province of Gelderland.

FORGING PATHS: AFRO-BRAZILIAN ANCESTRY AND FEMININE POWER IN THE WORK OF NÁDIA TAQUARY

FORJAR CAMINOS: ANCESTRALIDAD AFROBRASILEÑA Y PODER FEMENINO EN LA OBRA DE NÁDIA TAQUARY

The exhibition "Ònà Irin: caminho de ferro" by artist Nádia Taquary has opened at Sesc Belenzinho in São Paulo, featuring large-scale sculptures and an immersive video installation. Curated by Amanda Bonan, Ayrson Heráclito, and Marcelo Campos, the show centers on a massive installation of iron rails that symbolize the Yoruba deity Ogum, the opener of paths. The works integrate traditional Afro-Brazilian materials such as cowrie shells, beads, and metals to explore spiritual protection and the historical significance of jewelry as a form of resistance and identity for enslaved and freed Black women.

Unusually Large, 2,000-Year-Old Hillfort Discovered in Estonia

Archaeologists from the University of Tartu have discovered a massive 2,000-year-old hillfort at Köstrimägi in Tartu County, Estonia. Utilizing high-resolution terrain mapping, the team identified a 4,800-square-meter Iron Age fortification featuring concentric ramparts and shallow ditches, a structural complexity rarely seen in the region. Radiocarbon dating suggests the site was active for a relatively short period, specifically between 41 BCE and 9 CE.

Abi Castillo’s Ceramic Beings Contrast Delicacy With the Natural World

Galician artist Abi Castillo has unveiled a new series of ceramic self-portraits that explore the intersection of femininity, mysticism, and the natural world. Her latest sculptures feature signature wide-eyed figures adorned with organic elements like coral, insects, and flora, which act as a form of delicate armor for the emotive personas. This new body of work was produced in Castillo’s recently acquired larger studio space, which has allowed for expanded creative freedom and scale.

A Parade of Floating Artworks Honors Hieronymus Bosch in the Netherlands

The 2026 Bosch Parade will return to the Dommel river in ’s-Hertogenbosch from June 18 to 21, featuring nineteen new floating artworks inspired by the theme "Powered by Defects." This biennial event pays tribute to the surrealist legacy of Hieronymus Bosch, the city's most famous son, by inviting international artists to create fantastical aquatic installations. The program includes the "Garden of Earthly Delights," an open-air studio at the Citadel where visitors can interact with artists as they develop their contemporary interpretations of Bosch’s fascination with human imperfection and the absurd.

Hillary Waters Fayle Creates ‘Portraits of Place’ from Seeds, Foliage, and Petals

Artist Hillary Waters Fayle has developed a unique series titled 'Portraits of Place,' which utilizes foraged botanicals to create intricate cyanotypes. By collecting and drying seeds, petals, and foliage from specific locations like Grace Farms and Maymont Park, Fayle arranges them into symmetrical, mandala-like compositions on UV-sensitive paper. The resulting bright blue prints serve as a botanical record of a specific geography and moment in time.

A Short Film Joins In the Timeless Swiss Masked Tradition of Silvesterchlausen

A new short film titled 'Silvesterchlausen' by writer and director Andrew Norman Wilson documents the centuries-old Swiss New Year's tradition of the same name. The film captures groups of men and boys in the Appenzell regions who don elaborate, handmade masks and headdresses made from natural materials like pinecones and moss, forming groups to yodel, ring bells, and visit homes over 18-hour days to mark the turn of the year on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

It is Naive to Believe that Bombs Bring Freedom

"Es ist naiv zu glauben, dass Bomben Freiheit bringen"

Iranian-born artist Peyman Rahimi discusses the profound impact of his childhood experiences during the Iran-Iraq War and his subsequent mandatory military service on his creative practice. Breaking a long-held silence, Rahimi argues against the naivety of believing that military interventions or foreign bombings can bring true freedom to Iran, emphasizing that war only generates new trauma and suffering. He highlights the central role of Iranian women in the struggle for change, noting that their resilience remains the most potent threat to the current regime.

How Much Did It Cost to Paint a Pompeii Room Egyptian Blue?

How Much Did It Cost to Paint a Pompeii Room Egyptian Blue?

A new study has calculated the staggering cost of painting a room in Pompeii with Egyptian blue pigment. Researchers determined that covering the walls of a recently discovered "Blue Room," a sacred shrine, would have required between 2.7 and 4.9 kilograms of the prized synthetic pigment. Based on prices recorded by Pliny the Elder, this quantity of high-grade pigment would have cost between 50% and 90% of a Roman legionary's annual salary, highlighting it as an extreme luxury.

Get Your Red-Hot History Lesson! How the Hot Dog Rose From Coney Island Carts to Platters at Presidential Picnics

The hot dog ascended from a humble street food sold by German immigrants in 19th-century New York to a symbol of American culture, famously served to King George VI at a 1939 presidential picnic. Its journey was propelled by vendors on Coney Island's boardwalk and its introduction to massive crowds at events like the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, eventually becoming a staple at ballparks and backyard gatherings.

'Echoes of Home' at Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa on 28 May–2 Jul 2026

Christopher Moller Gallery in Cape Town is set to host "Echoes of Home," a group exhibition featuring the works of Mpho Feni, Lionel Mbayiwa, and Olamide Ogunade. The show explores the evolving concept of identity and heritage across the African continent, contrasting traditional ancestral knowledge with contemporary lived experiences. Each artist provides a unique lens: Mbayiwa focuses on Shona cosmology, Ogunade utilizes introspective symbolism to capture the fragility of memory, and Feni documents the communal rituals of everyday family life.

Local Notes: Art Exhibition, Line Dancing Classes, Set Dancing Classes

The group exhibition ‘Bándearg’ (Pink) is set to open at Books At One in Louisburgh, County Mayo, featuring the work of five female artists based in Ireland. The show explores the color pink as both a physical medium and a complex cultural symbol, showcasing a diverse range of artistic approaches including the bold, hard-edge op art of Elphin-based artist Nickie Harrington.

Mattapoisett Students at O.R.R. Shine With Award-Winning Art

Students from Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett have swept top honors at the 9th Congressional District Art Competition. Ian Hartwig secured first place in the Drawing category, while Lauren Serpa and Jocelyn Yurof earned second and third place respectively in the Mixed Media category. The award-winning works will be featured in an upcoming exhibition and awards ceremony at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.

Georges Rouault: Memories of the Artist’s Studio | Panasonic Shiodome Museum | Art in Tokyo

The Panasonic Shiodome Museum in Tokyo is set to host "Georges Rouault: Memories of the Artist’s Studio," an exhibition drawing from the museum’s extensive collection of approximately 270 works. The show features a chronological exploration of Rouault’s career, specifically highlighting recent acquisitions from his Fauvist period and a partial reconstruction of his final Paris studio using original tools and materials.

White Lace Proliferates Across Urban Spaces in Patterned Murals by NeSpoon

Polish street artist NeSpoon continues her global project of painting large-scale lace murals on urban buildings, transforming residential complexes and historic facades with intricate, symmetrical patterns. Her recent and upcoming projects include participation in festivals in Valence, France, and a commission for the reopening of Berlin's Pergamonmuseum in 2027.

Karol Radziszewski “The Classroom” at Moderna Museet, Stockholm

Polish artist Karol Radziszewski has opened a new installation titled "The Classroom" at Moderna Museet in Stockholm. The work meticulously recreates a 1990s Polish classroom environment, but subverts its traditional educational content by integrating materials from the artist's Queer Archives Institute into the school furniture, walls, and blackboard.

The Space Between. Adam Patrick Grant by Michela Ceruti

Adam Patrick Grant’s artistic practice is rooted in a meticulous and devotional process of observation, transitioning from a background in film to a dedicated focus on oil painting over the last three years. Working from his London studio, Grant utilizes an extensive archive of personal sketches, photographs, and found imagery—such as anonymous postcards and family photos from markets—to capture fleeting moments of intimacy and the unspectacular everyday. His work is characterized by a rhythmic dialogue between the act of walking, the gathering of visual fragments, and the translation of these memories into tender, precise compositions.

Fragility and Resistance of an Iranian Artist on Display in Rome

Fragilità e resistenza di un’artista dell’Iran in mostra a Roma

The Galleria Anna Marra in Rome is hosting "Assemblages," the first Italian solo exhibition of Iranian artist Sepideh Salehi. The show features works that blend collage, Japanese paper, photography, and drawing to depict Iranian women living in the United States who have shared experiences of displacement and political upheaval. Salehi’s figures often avert their gaze or conceal their faces, symbolizing a "calligraphy of refusal" and a quiet resistance against the historical traumas of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war.

The exhibition of the great artist Lucy Orta in a recovered historic palace in Sansepolcro

La mostra della grande artista Lucy Orta in un palazzo storico recuperato a San Sepolcro

British artist Lucy Orta has unveiled a site-specific installation titled "Trame di Comunità" at CasermArcheologica in Sansepolcro, Tuscany, following an artist residency. The work features five tents constructed from hand-woven vintage linen and hemp, inspired by the protective imagery in Piero della Francesca’s "Polyptych of Mercy." These structures are embroidered with the faces of local residents and adorned with 99 terracotta amulets, incorporating oral testimonies and personal reflections gathered from the community during Orta's stay.

US Government Submits Plans for Triumphal Arch to Commission

US-Regierung reicht Plan für Triumphbogen bei Kommission ein

President Donald Trump has submitted formal plans to the Commission of Fine Arts for a monumental triumphal arch to be located near Washington, D.C. Proposed to stand at 76 meters tall, the structure would significantly surpass the height of Paris's Arc de Triomphe. The project, which Trump describes as the "largest and most beautiful" in the world, is slated for a site near the Arlington Memorial Bridge leading to the Lincoln Memorial.

Salomé: Henner and Moreau Confront the Myth

Salomé. Henner et Moreau face au mythe

The Musée National Jean-Jacques Henner in Paris is hosting a focused exhibition exploring the iconographic myth of Salomé through the lenses of Jean-Jacques Henner and Gustave Moreau. The show examines how these two 19th-century masters interpreted the biblical figure who demanded the head of John the Baptist, contrasting their stylistic approaches to her seductive and fatal power. While the Gospels provide no physical description of Salomé, the exhibition highlights how these artists moved away from traditional fleshy depictions to create more ethereal, haunting versions of the femme fatale.

Echo of Dreams: Symbolism in Brussels

Écho des songes. Le Symbolisme à Bruxelles

The Maison Hannon in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, has opened a major exhibition titled "Écho des songes" dedicated to Belgian Symbolism. Following an extensive restoration that removed scaffolding from its 1904 Art Nouveau facade, the historic residence designed by Jules Brunfaut is now fully accessible to the public. The show utilizes the building's restored interiors, including its famous staircase hall and Paul Baudoüin frescoes, to provide a contextual backdrop for the Symbolist movement.

The Order of Symbolism, Signs and Sensibility

The Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio) is hosting a major retrospective titled 'Rubem Valentim: a ordem do sensível,' featuring approximately 180 works spanning four decades. Curated by Raquel Barreto and Phelipe Rezende, the exhibition showcases Valentim’s unique fusion of modernist abstraction with the spiritual symbols of Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous cosmologies. The presentation includes paintings, reliefs, and sculptures, culminating in monumental works like 'Templo de Oxalá.'

Enrique López Llamas: The Visible, The Invisible

ENRIQUE LÓPEZ LLAMAS: LO VISIBLE, LO INVISIBLE

Artist Enrique López Llamas presents a solo exhibition titled "Lo visible, lo invisible" at Fundación CALOSA in Mexico, exploring the intersection of childhood fears and contemporary adult masculinity. The installation utilizes fluorescent plastic polymers that glow in the dark and video works to create a sensory dialogue between light and shadow, symbolizing the repressed memories and systemic behaviors that persist into adulthood.