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'.

Mystic Seaport Museum exhibition chronicles whale oil industry's far-reaching impact

The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut has opened a new exhibition titled "Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact," which explores the deep connection between the US whaling industry and capitalism. Featuring objects from the museum's permanent collection—including 19th-century photographs, blubber hooks, ship models, captain's logbooks, a sperm whale jawbone, a jar of blue whale fetuses, and whale oil products—the show illustrates how whale oil lit lamps and greased machines for over a century. A giant scratchboard mural by contemporary artist Jos Sances, titled "Or, The Whale" (2019-20), dominates the space, while references to Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick" permeate the exhibition, which also includes a copy of a 1930 illustrated three-volume edition.

Union Public Library & Arts Center hosts a grand opening

The Union Public Library & Arts Center in Union, New Jersey, held a grand opening celebration for its newly renovated three-level facility. The event featured an art gallery unveiling with works by acclaimed artist Winston Young, a Black Box Theater plaque unveiling with live performances, a parade from the interim library location, a ribbon cutting, and activities including LEGO workshops led by Corey and Travis Samuels, origami, caricature drawing, face painting, and a book sale. Library director Kassundra Miller expressed excitement about offering new amenities such as a sensory room, creativity lab, study rooms, podcast room, and musical instrument lending.

Now Open: Prospect Refuge Gallery

A new art gallery concept, Prospect Refuge Gallery, opens in Northeast Minneapolis, led by Victoria Sass of Prospect Refuge Studio. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Homecoming: Objects of Origin," features works by New York-based ceramicist Jeremy Anderson, a Twin Cities native, showcasing ceramic vessels, lighting, and bronze-cast furniture that draw influence from Midwest rural architecture. The gallery aims to rotate regional talent through exhibitions focused on collectable design.

Newly opened Photography Museum of Seoul plans to become a ‘cultural anchor’ for the region

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) has opened the Photography Museum of Seoul (Photo-SeMA) in Dobong-gu district, marking South Korea's first public museum dedicated to photography. Spanning 7,048 square meters, the new venue draws from SeMA's collection of over 20,000 photographs and archival materials from the 1920s to the 1990s. It launches with two exhibitions themed around 'light obsession'—'Storage Story,' featuring commissioned works by six contemporary artists, and 'The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography,' showcasing five pioneering Korean art photographers. The museum will eventually become part of an eight-branch network run by SeMA.

Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2025 winner announced as exhibition opens

Japanese ceramicist Kunimasa Aoki has won the €50,000 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2025 for his terracotta work *Realm of Living Things 19*, which the jury praised for its risk-taking firing process. The piece, made from thin coils of clay stacked and compressed, was fired in an electric kiln until it began to smoke, then finished with soil, glue, and pencil marks. Two special mentions were awarded: one to Nifemi Marcus-Bello for a recycled aluminum bench with bowl, and another to an unnamed artist. The prize is part of an exhibition of 30 shortlisted works at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, running until June 30.

Local Notes: Alex is Student of the Year at Ballina school

This article from Ballina, Ireland, reports on local community events and recognitions. Alex Healy was named Student of the Year at St Muredach's College annual awards night. Upcoming events include a Sketch & Spin life drawing workshop for teens as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, a national day of free creativity for children, led by artist Mary Callaghan and featuring drag artist Miss Neon Love. Other events announced are the Gathering of the Boats on the River Moy during the Ballina Salmon Festival, a call for volunteers for the Ballina Fringe Festival, and a free DJ workshop for teens at Ballina Arts Centre.

The Frick debuts dreamy greenhouse art show

The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens has opened a new exhibition in its 128-year-old greenhouse featuring abstract sculptures by local Pittsburgh artist Atticus Adams. Titled "Catching Sunbeams from the Porch Swing of Wisteria Castle," the show presents dozens of whimsical pieces made from metal mesh, wiring, and textile materials, hanging from the greenhouse roof. The free exhibit runs through October 26, Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Tribute exhibition celebrates ‘extraordinary’ Devon artist

A tribute exhibition titled "Jennifer Johnson: Atmosphere, Colour and Light" will be held at The Loft Studio, Salcombe Art Club, from May 24 to June 7, 2025, celebrating the life and work of Devon-based artist Jennifer Johnson, who died last year after a long battle with cancer. The exhibition, organized by her son Christopher Derrick, will showcase her extensive body of work—including watercolours, oils, drawings, collages, and digital art—and will raise funds for St. Luke’s Hospice, which cared for her in her final days.

Mural Arts’ ‘No Place Like Home’ student exhibition champions the importance of art education

Mural Arts’ Art Education program presented its annual student exhibition, “No Place Like Home,” at a transformed exposed-brick home in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. The two-day show featured artwork from over 100 students ages 11 to 18 who attend the organization’s after-school art courses. The gallery space was turned into a whimsical house with themed rooms, including a bedroom, kitchen, and living room, displaying drawings, paintings, and craft projects such as paper flowers, painted clouds, and papier-mâché pets. Mural Arts founder Jane Golden spoke at the opening, emphasizing the importance of art education access for all Philadelphia youth.

Turkish artist Koray Kasap debuts 3D art exhibition in US | Daily Sabah

Turkish artist Koray Kasap has opened his first 3D art exhibition in the United States, held at an outdoor gallery in Morristown, New Jersey. The mixed-media show blends painting with everyday objects and features themes from Turkish culture, including works titled "Nefsini Terbiye Eden Derviş" ("The Dervish Who Trains His Soul"), "Ayasofya" ("Hagia Sophia"), and "Filistinli Anne" ("Palestinian Mother"). Kasap, a graduate of Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts and a former photographer known for album covers in the 1990s, uses charcoal and coffee instead of traditional paints. He has pledged to donate proceeds from the Palestinian Mother painting to Palestinian children.

Juried art exhibition opens at Surrey Art Gallery for a summer showcase of local talent

Surrey Art Gallery is hosting the Arts Council of Surrey's annual summer juried exhibition ARTS 2025 from May 3 to July 27, with free admission. The show features fifty works selected by a jury across five categories: painting; drawing, mixed media, and printmaking on paper; sculpture and fibre art; photography; and digital, performative, and new media art. The jury included photography-based artist Brian Howell, artist and Kwantlen Polytechnic University faculty member Jason Wright, and Surrey Art Gallery Curator of Art and Education Initiatives Alanna Edwards. Visitors can vote for the People's Choice Award, and the exhibition will conclude with a Summer Opening Art Party on July 5.

Edward Gorey’s surreal back-of-the-envelope illustrations tell a moving story

A new book titled *From Ted to Tom* collects the illustrated envelopes that Edward Gorey (1925-2000) sent to his friend Tom Fitzharris between 1974 and 1975. The envelopes are adorned with Gorey's trademark surreal drawings, often featuring a pair of dogs wearing clothing with the letter 'T,' representing the two correspondents. The volume includes excerpts from 50 letters, along with witty annotations, tactile design elements, and quotes from writers Gorey admired, offering a glimpse into his personal and artistic life.

Exquisite, Multifarious Visual Narratives Arouse Emotions In Joana Galego’s First U.S. Solo Show

Portuguese artist Joana Galego presents her first U.S. solo exhibition, featuring intricate visual narratives that blend drawing, painting, and textile elements to evoke deep emotional responses. The show highlights her unique approach to storytelling through layered, multifarious imagery.

In Phibsborough Tower, artist Oisín Tozer prepares a fleeting exhibition

Artist Oisín Tozer is preparing a fleeting exhibition titled "Yearn" as part of Phizzfest 2025, a local festival in Phibsborough, Dublin. The exhibition is held in his studio at Richmond Road Studios, located within the brutalist Phibsborough Tower. Tozer, a 2023 fine art graduate of TU Dublin, has carved a large orchid design directly into the wall, emphasizing site-specificity and impermanence. The show is part of Phizzfest's visual arts strand, which also includes Jim Donnelly's "The Walk to the Workhouse" and Eileen Ferguson's "Area C." Tozer's work draws on philosophers Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari, and Mark Fisher, exploring desire and the political potential of inaccessible, temporary art.

Cracow Art Week KRAKERS 2025

Cracow Art Week KRAKERS has announced the first program details for its 14th edition, taking place April 24-30, 2025, under the motto “At times I think I am dreaming.” The theme is drawn from Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz’s novel "622 Downfalls of Bungo," honoring the 140th anniversary of his birth. The program includes a special inauguration event at the Palace of Art curated by Kamil Kuitkowski, regular exhibitions, a Laboratory Section with ten funded projects, and four exhibitions in cooperation with the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow. Highlights include a subway-themed exhibition split across two locations, a series of guided walks called Kultour, and a family walk titled “A river that doesn’t exist.”

Venice Biennale: In Photos and Video

The Venice Biennale, one of the most anticipated events in the art world, is showcased through a collection of photos and video. The article presents visual scenes from the prestigious international art exhibition, capturing the atmosphere and installations on display.

The Venice Biennale and Its Many Flashpoints: An Explainer

The Venice Biennale, often described as the Olympics of the art world, is set to begin previews on Tuesday amid several controversies. Key flashpoints include the sudden death of a curator, Russia's surprise participation despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, and an unconventional entry from the United States. These developments have intensified scrutiny and debate around the prestigious international exhibition.

A Forum for African Voices Draws Inspiration From a Former Champion

The African Art in Venice Forum is continuing its mission of addressing the continent’s artistic needs, even as it mourns the loss of Koyo Kouoh, a key supporter. The forum, which draws inspiration from a former champion, aims to amplify African voices in the global art scene, particularly during the Venice Biennale.

The Benefactor of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation Curates Its Collection

Emily Rauh Pulitzer, the founder of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, has curated a significant exhibition featuring approximately 85 works drawn from her personal collection and the foundation's holdings. The show emphasizes her long-standing preference for sculpture and drawing, showcasing a refined selection that reflects her decades of experience as a veteran curator and dedicated patron of the arts.

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.

‘Volcano Snake Sun, September’: A Poem by Ella Frears

Poet Ella Frears has composed a new literary work in response to Charlie Prodger’s 2024 drawing, 'Volcano Snake Sun, September'. The poem explores themes of observation, physical detachment, and the tension between tranquility and underlying violence, mirroring the shift in Prodger’s practice from conceptual film to representational pencil-and-pastel works on paper.

Iran’s Participation in the Venice Biennale Still Uncertain

Iran’s participation in the 61st Venice Biennale remains uncertain after a public contradiction emerged between the Biennale Foundation and Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (MCIG). The Biennale Foundation had announced that Iran would not participate in the 2026 edition, curated by Koyo Kouoh, but Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani, director general of visual arts at the MCIG and commissioner of the Iranian Pavilion, stated in an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) that Iran never submitted a withdrawal letter. Instead, Iran requested more time and sent a letter on May 10 asking for the pavilion to open even if ineligible for prizes. Mahdizadeh Tehrani cited the US-Israel war with Iran as causing currency fluctuations that nearly tripled projected costs, complicating prior agreements, and noted that Iran had proposed a shorter exhibition period, which the Biennale rejected.

Met gala guests deliver works of art on the human form

The article reports on the 2025 Met Gala, where celebrity guests showcased elaborate, art-inspired fashion on the red carpet. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, featured designs that transformed the human body into living canvases, with many looks referencing the evening's exhibition theme.

Racine Art Museum PEEPS art exhibition winners announced; show runs through April 18

The Racine Art Museum has announced the winners of its annual PEEPS art exhibition, a community-focused event where artists create works using the iconic marshmallow candy. The exhibition, which features these whimsical, edible-art entries, is now open to the public and will run through April 18.

REINTERPRETATIONS BY DEMIAN FLORES OF VIOLENCE MYTH AND REPRESENTATION

Mexican artist Demián Flores presents "America. New Visions from the Old World," a graphic arts exhibition at the Instituto Cultural de México in Madrid. The show features forty works that reinterpret 16th-century engravings by Theodor de Bry, whose images of Indigenous peoples—ranging from idealized noble savages to violent cannibals—shaped European perceptions of the Americas. Flores draws on his earlier series "Collateral Disasters" (2012), inspired by Goya's "The Disasters of War," to critique how colonial visual narratives constructed otherness and justified violence.

JEZIK AND COSTA EXPLORE MEMORY AND EXILE IN A GROUP EXHIBITION

The Miguel Hernández University in Elche, Spain, presents "Vientos del pueblo. Voices of Exile and Resistance," a group exhibition curated by Mónica Sotos. Inspired by Miguel Hernández's poem "Vientos del pueblo," the show features Argentine artists Ježik and Costa alongside Eugenio Merino, Gloria Oyarzábal, Ricardo Calero, Óscar Seco, Pierre Valls, and María Rosa Aránega. Through photography, video, installation, drawing, and archival works, the exhibition examines violence, borders, exile, and colonial legacies, challenging dominant power narratives.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE SOUND ACCORDING TO BENGOLEA AT C3A

Argentine artist Cecilia Bengolea has unveiled her latest project, "El Ruido que Habita" (The Noise That Dwells), at the Centro de Creación Contemporánea de Andalucía (C3A) in Córdoba. Developed during a residency in early 2025, the exhibition features site-specific drawings and ceramic works created in collaboration with the Dionisio Ortiz School of Art. The installation integrates visual art, technology, and performance, inviting visitors to engage with sound as a transformative language that bridges cultural and material divides.

Il Padiglione della Natura alla Biennale di Venezia. Ovvero due gabbiani che mettono in crisi il patriarcato

At the 2026 Venice Biennale, two seagulls built a nest in front of the Polish Pavilion in the Giardini. Organizers chose to protect the nest with a small fence and a sign, turning it into an unofficial "Nature Pavilion." The birds share incubation duties equally, drawing large crowds who pause to watch their cooperative behavior amid the Biennale's intense geopolitical tensions, including protests against the Russian Pavilion, pro-Palestinian actions, and debates over Israel's cultural role.

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.