Frieze New York Kicks Off with Seven-Figure Sales and High Energy: ‘It’s a Fiesta’

Frieze New York kicked off its preview day at the Shed in Manhattan with strong sales and high energy, as many attendees arrived fresh from the Venice Biennale. Galleries reported brisk presales and early placements, with White Cube selling major works by El Anatsui and Antony Gormley for seven-figure sums, and other dealers like James Cohan Gallery nearly selling out their booths. Collectors, advisors, and celebrities including Anderson Cooper, Michael Stipe, and Leonardo DiCaprio were spotted, while the Brooklyn Museum made acquisitions through the new Sherman Family Foundation Acquisition Fund.

Who Went to Venice Last Week? Jenny Saville, Glenn Lowry, Jewel, and Many Other Power Players

Artnet News reporter Katya Kazakina recounts her experience at the opening week of the 61st Venice Biennale, describing a whirlwind of art, parties, and chance encounters. Notable figures spotted include former MoMA director Glenn Lowry, singer-songwriter Jewel (who debuted her visual art show "Matriclysm: An Archaeology of Connections Lost"), and Japanese Nintendo heir and collector Banjo Yamauchi. High-profile events included Thaddaeus Ropac gallery's reception for Georg Baselitz's final paintings (priced up to $1.5 million) and François Pinault's annual party at Fondazione Giorgio Cini, attended by Selma Hayek, Lorna Simpson, and JR. The article also highlights the social dynamics of the biennale, where dealers, curators, and collectors network across historic palazzos and hotels.

In Venice, Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince Ask: What Is Appropriate to Appropriate?

Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince are showing their work together in a joint exhibition titled "Helter Skelter" at the Fondazione Prada in Venice. Curated by Nancy Spector, the show explores the artists' shared practice of appropriation, a connection that began when Prince attended the debut of Jafa's video work AGHDRA (2021) and later deepened through conversations about race, property, and self-authorization. Jafa has long admired Prince's approach, calling him "the blackest white artist I know," and the exhibition pairs their works to examine how appropriation functions differently for a Black artist versus a white artist.

Latin American galleries dominate at Frieze New York

Frieze New York 2025 features a surge of 14 Latin American galleries from Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, reversing a trend of withdrawal seen during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Non-profit support from organizations like Latitude, which helped all eight Brazilian exhibitors, and a concerted effort by Frieze’s Americas team have enabled this increased presence, despite ongoing challenges such as high shipping costs, tariffs, and visa denials—exemplified by Mexican artist Dr Lakra being unable to attend his own show at Kurimanzutto.

Pioneering British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron honoured with a blue plaque in London

A blue plaque has been unveiled on the London home of pioneering British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron at 10 Chesham Place in Belgravia, celebrating her legacy. Cameron took up photography at age 48 and created iconic portraits of figures like Alfred Tennyson, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Carlyle, as well as images of her family and neighbors. The plaque was installed by English Heritage, with family members including musician Jules Cameron, singer Jasmine van den Bogaerde (Birdy), and artist Julian Bell attending the ceremony. Cameron's great-great-great-granddaughter Jules Cameron noted that the honor feels like a continuation of her work to fix presence in light and memory.

Ary Scheffer en 2 minutes

Ary Scheffer (1795–1858) was a Dutch-born Romantic painter who became a central figure in Parisian artistic and cultural life during the July Monarchy. He was the official portraitist of the Orléans family and created deeply melancholic, spiritual works inspired by Dante, Goethe, and the Gospels. His studio at 16 rue Chaptal, in the Nouvelle Athènes district, hosted legendary Friday gatherings attended by Chopin, Liszt, George Sand, and Dickens, and now houses the Musée de la Vie romantique. Key works include *Le Dévouement patriotique des six Bourgeois de Calais* (1819) and *Les Femmes souliotes* (1827), both acquired by the French state.

Gibraltarian artists exhibit in Margate in collaborative exhibition

A collaborative exhibition titled 'Traces of Humanity' has opened in Margate, England, organized by Gibraltar Cultural Services on behalf of the Ministry for Culture, in partnership with the Lloyds Group of London. The show features works by Gibraltarian artists, members of the Lloyds Art Group, and internationally renowned artists, drawing inspiration from the Gorham’s Cave complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The launch was hosted by the Mayor of Margate, Councillor Katie Pope, and attended by local dignitaries and visiting Gibraltarian artists. Curated by Philippa Beale, the exhibition will travel to the Noho Gallery in London's West End from 20th to 29th May before arriving in Gibraltar in June.

Fashion figure Jordan Roth wows in collage at the Venice Biennale

Multi-disciplinary artist Jordan Roth staged a performance on May 7 at Palazzo dei Fiori in Venice during the Biennale preview week, where he tore apart vinyl prints of Renaissance painter Irene di Spilimbergo and reassembled them into collages within a gilt frame. The event, presented with Performance Space New York’s Visionaries Circle, was attended by Whitney Museum director Scott Rothkopf and dealer Kristin Hjellegjerde, following Roth's earlier appearance as a "living sculpture" at the Met Gala.

Major, International Touring Exhibition ‘Treasures of the Pharaohs’ Coming to the Kimbell Art Museum in 2027

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, announced it will host the major international touring exhibition 'Treasures of the Pharaohs' from March 14 to September 19, 2027. Featuring 130 artifacts from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, the exhibition spans 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including royal treasures, newly discovered objects from the 'Golden City' in the Valley of the Kings, and works from Dynasty I to the Ptolemaic period. The exhibition is currently on view at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome and will travel to the de Young museum in San Francisco before arriving at the Kimbell.

Memorial Art Gallery admission will become free starting in 2027

The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) in Rochester, New York, announced on May 13 that admission will become free for all visitors starting in 2027, eliminating its current $20 entry fee permanently. The museum, part of the University of Rochester, raised over $9 million through its "Free for All, Forever" campaign, surpassing its original target faster than expected. Key donations included a $1 million gift from Dr. Alexander A. Levitan and his wife Lucy K. Levitan, a $3 million donation from UR trustee Doug Bennett, his wife Abby, and the Sands Family Foundation, and $2 million from Mary Ellen Burris. Additional support came from anonymous donors, Kitty and Nick Jospé, and Sandy Hawks Lloyd and Justin Hawks Lloyd.

WA’s Maryhill Museum of Art has ties to royalty, celebrates milestone

The Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale, Washington, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its dedication by Queen Marie of Romania. Founded by entrepreneur Samuel Hill in 1907, the museum houses an eclectic collection including over 80 works by Auguste Rodin, French haute couture fashions, and thousands of Indigenous art objects. To mark the centennial, the museum has opened three new exhibitions highlighting Queen Marie's contributions: Russian icons, Romanian embroidery, and folk pottery, alongside her personal items like coronation gowns and gilded furniture.

Was Beyoncé's Met Gala gown inspired by a Louisiana artist and her Creole heritage?

Beyoncé attended the 2026 Met Gala in a translucent gown by Olivier Rousteing, adorned with a bejeweled skeleton motif. Online sources suggest the design was inspired by 'Visitor,' a 1944 lithograph by Louisiana artist Caroline Durieux, who was a professor at Tulane University and LSU. The artwork, held by the LSU Museum of Art, depicts a skeleton in a translucent frock, echoing the gown's aesthetic. Art collector Jeremy K. Simien noted Durieux's influence and the potential value boost to the print from the Beyoncé connection.

Local artists’ works in national IHC exhibition

An exhibition showcasing artwork by 20 local artists with intellectual disabilities will be held at The Loan & Merc in Oamaru next Friday. The North Otago IHC Association Art Exhibition features works by artists including Lisa Graham, Dan Joyce, Katie Mcrae, Christopher Wright, and Katrina Hewitt, with all participants also set to appear in a national exhibition in Wellington next month as part of the IHC National Art Awards. Artists receive 100% of proceeds from sales, and the group attends weekly art classes throughout the year.

Color them talented: Teen artists offered big scholarship money

Two Illinois high school seniors, Dashiell Speir and Hazel Anderson, received substantial art-school scholarship offers after participating in the Illinois High School Art Exhibition's northern regional show. Speir, a student at Downers Grove North High School, was offered $524,000 in scholarships, while Anderson, from Central High School in Burlington, received $372,000 in offers. Speir plans to attend the College of DuPage before transferring to a four-year school, and Anderson intends to enroll at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

City College art faculty showcase their work in the Kondos Gallery

Sacramento City College's Kondos Gallery has opened its spring faculty exhibition, “The Other Half; SCC Art Faculty,” featuring works by five full-time art professors in painting, printmaking, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture. A reception was held on April 30, 2026, attended by librarian Antonio López and others. The gallery, originally opened in the 1930s, was renamed after noted California artist Gregory Kondos, who served as its director in the mid-1970s until his retirement in 1982.

And who are you?

Und wer seid ihr?

The article is a brief interview conducted at the Venice Biennale, where a visitor named Franzi explains her presence at the event and discusses her favorite pavilion. She cites the Austrian Pavilion by Florentina Holzinger as her absolute favorite after five days of art, and clarifies that her bare chest is not a political protest against Putin but a homage to Holzinger's work. She also mentions missing the Vatican Pavilion due to long queues.

Study Shows Engaging with Art as Effective as Exercise in Slowing Aging

A new study by University College London, published in the journal Innovation in Aging, reveals that engaging with arts and culture can slow biological aging at a rate comparable to exercise. Researchers found that attending performances or visiting galleries once a month led to a 3 percent reduction in aging speed, while weekly engagement produced a 4 percent slowdown. Those who participated in the arts at least weekly were biologically at least a year younger than non-participants, outperforming weekly exercisers, who were only six months younger biologically. The study tracked 3,356 adults from 2010 to 2012 using survey data and blood tests, measuring aging via epigenetic clocks that analyze DNA changes.

South Fork Bakery Holds Spring Benefit At The Parrish Art Museum

South Fork Bakery held its spring benefit at the Parrish Art Museum on Saturday, May 9. Guests enjoyed music, bites, and signature cocktails while funds were raised to support the bakery's mission of providing meaningful employment for adults with disabilities. The event featured attendees including local officials, board members, and supporters, with photography by Lisa Tamburini.

‘Close, yet distant': MMCA exhibition revisits Korea-Japan artistic ties since 1945

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Gwacheon, South Korea, has opened a major exhibition titled “Art between Korea and Japan since 1945,” co-organized with the Yokohama Museum of Art. Running from May 14 to September 27, 2026, the show marks the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic ties between the two countries. Featuring some 200 works by 43 artists, including Zainichi artists and video art pioneer Nam June Paik, the exhibition traces eight decades of artistic exchange shaped by colonialism, war, division, and ongoing tensions. It previously opened in Yokohama, drawing over 37,000 visitors—significantly surpassing typical attendance—with strong interest from younger audiences.

Biennale, rules announced for Visitor's Lion. But dozens of artists withdraw

The Venice Biennale has announced the voting rules for the new Visitors' Lion awards, which replace the traditional Golden Lions after the original jury resigned before the opening. On the same day the popular voting opened, dozens of artists from the central exhibition 'In Minor Keys' and several National Pavilions announced their withdrawal from the competition in solidarity with the resigned jury, releasing a statement via e-flux on May 9, 2026. The voting system requires visitors to have attended both the Giardini and Arsenale venues, with anonymous voting open until November 22, 2026.

L’antica certosa vicino Siena dove il disegno è diventato una performance condivisa. Il report

The third edition of the De Linea Art Festival took place on May 2-3 at the Certosa di Pontignano near Siena, Italy. Curated by Matteo Marsan and Riccardo Guasco, the event transformed the historic monastery into a living laboratory of drawing, illustration, and performance. Nine illustrators—including Marina Marcolin, Francesco Poroli, Elisa Macellari, Gianluca Folì, Ale Giorgini, Gloria Pizzilli, Matteo Berton, Giovanna Giuliano, and Daniele Caluri—participated in a week-long residency, producing works inspired by the site and the festival's theme "Crepe e spiragli" (Cracks and Glimmers), a contemporary interpretation of a Leonard Cohen quote. Over 500 visitors attended workshops, talks, and shared creative sessions, including a workshop by Fondazione Il Bisonte and performances by actress Daniela Morozzi and graphic poet Alessandro Valenti (Alvalenti).

Genuflecting Before “Don Colossus”

A 15-foot-tall gold-leafed bronze statue of Donald Trump, titled "Don Colossus," was unveiled at his National Doral golf club in Miami, Florida, ahead of the G20 summit. The statue, funded by $450,000 raised by cryptocurrency moguls and sculpted by Alan Cottrill (founder of Four Star Pizza), depicts Trump raising a triumphant fist with a plaque reading "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!" The unveiling was organized by televangelist Mark Burns of "Pastors for Trump," who posted that the statue was "not a golden calf," and was attended by evangelical Christian leaders and reportedly some Hassidic rabbis.

Highland Park’s North Figueroa Bookshop teams up with Homeboy Art Institute

North Figueroa Bookshop in Highland Park has partnered with Homeboy Art Academy to present an exhibition titled "Visualizing the Future" in the bookstore's expanded gallery space. The show features photography, cyanotype, and graphic arts by artists aged 18 to 25, including works depicting street scenes, landscapes, and portraits. The May 9 opening included music from Music Heals and food vendors, with artists and community members in attendance. The exhibition was curated by Sophia Cervantes, an artist and student at El Camino College, who aimed to provide a professional platform for young creators.

Collagraph prints exhibition begins at Kaalnee Art Studio

A ten-day collagraph printmaking exhibition opened on Wednesday at Kaalnee Art Studio in Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. The exhibition features 19 prints by 14 artists, created during a four-day workshop led by UK-based Bangladeshi artist Zaman Md Fakruzzaman and coordinated by Tarek Amin, jointly organized by Kaalnee Art Studio and the East London Academy of Art. Notable artists including Abul Barq Alvi, Nisar Hossain, Shishir Bhattacharya, Saifuddin Ahmed, Rashid Amin, and Tarek Amin attended the opening ceremony.

New gallery opens with nod to North Bay’s artistic past

Bloch Bauers Gallery of Fine Art has officially opened in downtown North Bay, Ontario, at 222 McIntyre St. W. The new space features regional, Indigenous, and Inuit art, along with works from private estates and consignments. The opening event included speeches, a ribbon cutting, and the unveiling of the "Lawrence Nickle Collection." A self-portrait by longtime local art teacher Ernest "Ernie" Taylor drew particular attention from attendees, including Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Mayor Peter Chirico, who praised the gallery's connection to the city's artistic heritage. Co-owner and curator Joey Nadeau noted the months of preparation behind the opening and emphasized the importance of showcasing Indigenous art, including works by painter Stephen Snake.

A Panorama of Design during the NYCxDesign Festival

The article provides a broad overview of the NYCxDesign Festival, highlighting notable news, product launches, and events taking place across New York City during the design festival. It covers a range of design-related activities, from exhibitions and product debuts to talks and installations, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the citywide celebration of design.

8 Pavilions That Have the Venice Biennale Buzzing

The article highlights eight standout national pavilions at the Venice Biennale, the world's premier contemporary art event. These include a doll-focused exhibition, a contemplative garden, and a sizzling hothouse, each generating significant buzz among attendees and critics.

Albany Center Gallery seeks artists, vendors for Summer Art Fest

Albany Center Gallery is seeking artists and vendors for its third annual Summer Art Fest, a free outdoor art festival taking place July 18 at Quackenbush Square and Clinton Market Collective in downtown Albany. The event features a curated pop-up gallery, a new vendor market, a kids' art corner, interactive activities, and live artmaking. Submissions are free, with a deadline of June 10, and guidelines are available on the gallery's website. Last year's festival drew over 1,000 attendees from the Capital Region.

‘Portraits of Nations’ in Glendale

Armenian Arts Gallery in Glendale presented Seta Injeyan's exhibition 'Portraits of Nations: Songs in Color and Struggle' from May 7 to 10, with an opening reception on May 8. The show featured abstract paintings inspired by countries around the world, using flag colors and emotional resonance rather than literal political imagery. Gallery owner Stepan Partamian welcomed attendees, and Injeyan described her process as reaching for each nation's beauty, wounds, history, and spirit.

Photo gallery: LCCC 2026 Communication Arts Student exhibition opens

The Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) 2026 Communication Arts Student Art Exhibition opened May 8 at the Schulman Gallery. The annual show features original artwork by students enrolled in LCCC's Communication Arts Program, spanning a variety of media and creative approaches. The exhibition runs through June 5, with gallery hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A photo shows attendee Jennifer Cerene browsing the display.