Ai Weiwei and the Art of Keeping Your Mouth Shut

Dissident artist Ai Weiwei explores the corrosive nature of state control and self-restraint in his new book, "On Censorship" (2026). Drawing from a lifetime of persecution—including his father’s exile to a labor camp, his own 81-day detention in 2011, and recent digital erasure by Chinese AI—Ai argues that censorship fundamentally strips individuals of their humanity. He highlights how the mechanism of silencing has evolved from overt state violence in the East to a more insidious culture of self-censorship in the West, exemplified by the cancellation of his own 2023 exhibition at Lisson Gallery following comments on the conflict in Gaza.

What Makes a Good Protest Sign?

The article's main feature is a guide on creating effective protest signs for the upcoming No Kings protest, compiled by comic artist Steven Weinberg with input from artists, writers, and curators including Hyperallergic's Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian. It offers practical advice for crafting visually and rhetorically powerful signs that challenge authority.

‘Arms and legs are very expressive, especially with bruises’: the absurdist photography of Yorgos Lanthimos

Director Yorgos Lanthimos has opened a photography exhibition at the Onassis Stegi in Athens, showcasing personal images taken in Greece over recent years. The show includes a central, temple-like installation housing his newer, non-film-related work, alongside earlier photographic series connected to his movies 'Poor Things' and 'Kinds of Kindness'.

Art Paris: A Better Result Than Expected

Art Paris, un bilan meilleur que prévu

The 28th edition of Art Paris concluded with stronger-than-expected sales despite a sluggish start and a volatile global climate. Featuring 165 galleries, the fair solidified its position as a key regional event for French collectors, offering a price range typically between €10,000 and €40,000. While mega-galleries like Almine Rech participated with accessible works, the fair also welcomed newcomers like Esther Schipper and In Situ-Fabienne Leclerc, who reported positive results across various media including ceramics, photography, and painting.

Screening and Conversation with Sophie Calle

Art21 hosted an advance screening of Sophie Calle's segment from the upcoming Season 12 of "Art in the Twenty-First Century" at the SAG-AFTRA Robin Williams Center in New York. Following the first public showing of the documentary, which follows Calle preparing exhibitions in Paris, Arles, and Minneapolis, the artist participated in a conversation with filmmaker Bette Gordon. They discussed the influence of 1980s New York and themes of identity and vulnerability in her work.

MEMORY AND PUBLIC SPACE THE 18 ARTISTS OF SONSBEEK 2026

Sonsbeek 2026 has announced the 18 artists and collectives who will participate in its thirteenth edition, scheduled from July 2 to October 11, 2026, in Arnhem, Netherlands. The event, curated by Amira Gad and Christina Li with assistant curator Berber Meindertsma, will feature 12 new commissions across Park Sonsbeek and various city locations, presenting site-specific installations, sculptures, and performances.

Manifesta 16 Ruhr announces list of artists

Manifesta 16, the nomadic European biennial, has revealed the full list of 106 artists from 30 countries who will participate in its 2026 edition. The event will open on 21 June and take place across 12 decommissioned modernist churches in four cities in Germany's Ruhr region: Bochum, Essen, Duisburg, and Gelsenkirchen. The program includes 64 new commissions.

Jeremy Frey: The Generational Impact of a New Artistic Path

Indigenous weaver Jeremy Frey, a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship recipient, will participate in an upcoming public conversation with Hyperallergic Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian. The discussion will explore Frey’s unique practice of Passamaquoddy basketry, which involves harvesting natural materials like black ash and sweetgrass to create intricate vessels and innovative relief prints that bridge the gap between traditional craft and contemporary sculpture.

Wagner Foundation Names Winners of $75,000 2026 Arts Fellowships

The Wagner Foundation has selected artists Tomashi Jackson, Lucy Kim, and Yu-Wen Wu as the recipients of its 2026 Wagner Arts Fellowships. Each artist, based in the Boston area, will receive an unrestricted $75,000 grant, professional development support, and will participate in a group exhibition at the Wagner Gallery in Cambridge from August to December 2026.

What is Art Allowed to Do?

Was darf die Kunst?

German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer has sparked a heated debate over artistic freedom after excluding three bookstores from the German Bookstore Prize due to undisclosed intelligence reports. The controversy has escalated into a broader confrontation with cultural institutions, highlighted by the Berlin Volksbühne's public criticism and Weimer's subsequent refusal to participate in a scheduled panel discussion. This incident follows a string of high-profile disputes regarding political expression in the arts, particularly concerning the Berlinale and documenta fifteen.

Ukraine Sanctions Russian Culture Figures Linked to Country’s Participation in Venice Biennale

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a decree imposing sanctions on five Russian cultural figures involved in the Russian Pavilion for the 2026 Venice Biennale. The sanctioned individuals include pavilion commissioner Anastasia Karneeva, former culture minister Mikhail Shvydkoy, and three performers from the Intrada Ensemble. Ukrainian officials argue that these figures use international art platforms to legitimize Russian aggression and spread state propaganda, specifically citing past activities in occupied territories like Crimea and Donetsk.

Fall 2025 Festival Season

Art21 successfully concluded its Fall 2025 festival season, with its films being screened at multiple international festivals including Artecinema in Italy, Bushwick Film Festival in New York, and others in Massachusetts, New Mexico, and North Carolina. The organization also participated as a sponsor and panelist at DOC NYC, and several of its recent films featuring artists like Sophie Calle, Dyani White Hawk, and Guadalupe Maravilla received recognition.

In the Tech Heart of Texas, an Art Show Built on Data, Code and A.I.

The Austin Museum of Art is hosting a landmark exhibition focused on the intersection of technology and creativity, featuring works driven by real-time data, complex algorithms, and artificial intelligence. The showcase highlights interactive installations that evolve throughout the day, challenging traditional notions of static art and inviting viewers to participate in the creative process through digital engagement.

Top York artist opens his one-of-a-kind York home for new 5-day exhibition

Renowned York-based artist Mark Hearld is hosting an independent five-day exhibition at his private residence in The Mount. The showcase features twenty new collages and a series of prints, including works inspired by a recent trip to Jaipur and a collaborative screenprint with Penfold Press. The event is notable for being held outside the official York Open Studios program, a circuit Hearld has participated in for two decades but was not selected for this year.

GHOSTMACHINE Gallery Open Call Invites Artists into Curator-Led Exhibition in New York

GHOSTMACHINE Gallery has launched an open call for its upcoming summer exhibition in New York, curated by Dominika Tylcz. Moving away from the traditional large-group show format, the gallery is seeking two to three artists or collectives to participate in a focused, collaborative exhibition running from July 31 to August 29, 2026. The selection process includes a shortlist of ten artists who will receive studio visits, emphasizing a hands-on curatorial approach that requires selected participants to assist with the installation and de-installation of their work.

Meet the First Cohort of Haystack’s Artist Grant Initiative

The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, supported by the Windgate Foundation, has announced the eight recipients of its inaugural Artist Grant Initiative. Each emerging artist received an unrestricted $10,000 grant and participated in an online mentorship program with artists Vivian Chiu and Cedric Mitchell. The 2025 cohort, selected by jurors Curtis Arima and Annie Evelyn, includes Aminata Conteh, David Gutierrez, Payton Harris-Woodard, Celina Hernandez, Jason McDonald, Alex Paat, David Vuong, and Tzyy Yi (Amy) Young.

1-54 New York Lines-Up More Than 20 Exhibitors, with a Special Focus on Brazil

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has announced its exhibitor lineup for its New York edition, set for May 13–17 at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea. More than 20 galleries will participate, including a mix of returning and first-time exhibitors from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas, with the fair running concurrently with Frieze New York and NADA New York.

Slow Art Day at The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space April 11 Noon to 6pm

The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space in Springfield, Illinois, is set to participate in the international Slow Art Day on April 11. This grassroots event encourages visitors to move away from the typical museum-going experience of rushing through exhibits, instead focusing deeply on a small selection of works. The Springfield location will feature concurrent exhibitions by Bob Waldmire and photographer David Schwartz, whose work will be featured on upcoming Route 66 Centennial stamps.

LAMA: PRESENT TENSE: Ultra-Contemporary & Street Art

Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) is hosting a specialized sale titled "PRESENT TENSE: Ultra-Contemporary & Street Art" via the Artsy platform. The auction features a curated selection of works from high-profile contemporary and street artists, including Barry McGee, Shag, and RETNA. Bidders are invited to participate through pre-registered max bids or real-time live bidding as the sale concludes on March 17, 2026.

40 years of Hammersmith art on show – for FREE – at Riverside Studios

The Riverside Artists Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a major retrospective titled "PULL FOCUS" at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. The exhibition features 48 artworks across various media—including oil paintings, sculptures, and digital prints—by 33 artists, alongside a 30-minute documentary film and an extensive archive of the group's history. Founded in 1986 following an open submission call that drew over 1,000 entrants, the collective has grown from a local community initiative into an international presence.

Members of European Parliament call on EU to pull Venice Biennale funding over Russian participation

At least 34 Members of the European Parliament have signed a letter demanding the suspension of all EU funding to the Venice Biennale Foundation if Russia's participation proceeds. The letter, addressed to top EU officials, argues that allowing a state under extensive sanctions to participate in an EU-funded event contradicts the bloc's values and weakens its credibility.

Queer British artists based in France: open call for Pride exhibition at the British Embassy in Paris

The British Embassy in Paris has launched an open call for queer British artists residing in France to participate in a landmark group exhibition this June. Organized in collaboration with The Norm Queer Agency and artist-curator Daniella McNulty, the initiative marks the first time the embassy has hosted an art show specifically dedicated to Pride. Applications across all mediums are being accepted until April 15, 2026, with selected works to be displayed within the embassy and its gardens.

Frank Fluegel Gallery at Art Cologne Palma Mallorca 2026

Frank Fluegel Gallery will participate in the inaugural edition of Art Cologne Palma Mallorca in 2026. The gallery, based in Nuremberg, will present a curated selection of contemporary art at the new Spanish fair.

Call out to artists for upcoming Women in Art exhibition

The Nambucca Valley Women’s Business Network (NVWBN) has issued a call for entries for its fourth annual 'Women in Art' exhibition, scheduled to open at the Matilda Street Gallery in Macksville on May 16. Local female artists from the Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings, and Bellinger valleys are invited to submit expressions of interest by May 7 to participate in the showcase, which featured nearly 100 works from 44 artists in its previous iteration.

First Friday Gallery Opening: April 2026

Bloomington, Indiana, is preparing for its First Friday gallery openings in April 2026. The event invites residents and visitors to explore local art spaces, attend weekend festivals, and participate in free family-friendly attractions throughout the city.

Photography Is…

The article 'Photography Is...' from Glasstire is a conceptual piece that presents the title as a prompt, leaving the definition of photography open-ended. The text consists solely of the title and source, functioning as a minimalist statement or an invitation for reader interpretation.

Jessamine County students turn skateboards into personal art

Students in Jessamine County, Kentucky, participated in a project where they transformed skateboards into personalized artworks. The initiative, likely part of a school or community program, involved customizing the decks with individual designs, merging functional sports equipment with creative expression.

Arts events feature a book launch, art gallery opening, soap carving … soap carving?

Northland Pioneer College’s Performing Arts Department is set to debut a world-premiere theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, "Emma." The production, which opens on April 10 at the college’s Performing Arts Center in Snowflake, Arizona, offers a fresh take on the beloved story of a well-meaning but meddlesome matchmaker.

Local students participate in NAA Art Show

Elementary, middle, and high school students from the Carson City School District participated in the annual Nevada Artists Association (NAA) Art Show, displaying their artwork at the NAA Gallery. The event featured a wide range of student-created pieces, celebrating the artistic talents of young people within the community.

Finland’s political leadership to retract from Venice Biennale over Russian Pavilion

Finland's Minister of Science and Culture, Mari-Leena Talvitie, announced that the country's political leadership will not participate in the upcoming Venice Biennale if Russia's national pavilion is allowed to take part. This decision follows a joint letter signed by Talvitie and 21 other European ministers in March, which deemed Russia's return to the Biennale since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine as 'unacceptable'. Finnish public officials and cultural representatives, however, will still attend to support Finnish artists.