Filthy fossil fuels, a dizzying debut and the ominous side of the moon – the week in art

The Guardian’s weekly art roundup highlights the opening of 'Extraction' at Jupiter Artland, an exhibition featuring artists like Marguerite Humeau and John Gerrard that explores the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Other notable UK openings include Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s museum debut at The Whitworth, a survey of Paula Rego’s drawings at Victoria Miro, and a showcase of Thérèse Oulton’s textured landscapes at Vardaxoglou.

Slags, bings and pipelines: Edinburgh landscape offers fitting backdrop for exhibition on fossil fuel extraction

Jupiter Artland, a sculpture park and gallery near Edinburgh, Scotland, is hosting the exhibition "Extraction" (through July 26), which examines the impact of fossil fuel extraction on landscapes and culture. Set against a backdrop of historic shale oil bings, North Sea oil pipelines, and modern wind farms, the show features five artists who explore energy histories through nuanced, non-polemical lenses. Glasgow-born painter Siobhan McLaughlin uses earth pigments gathered from the nearby Five Sisters Bing to create works like "Date of Exhaustion" (2025) and "Pioneer Species" (2025), turning mining waste into art that reflects on memory, ecology, and regeneration.

Riyadh’s New Black Gold Museum Attempts to Convey ‘The Legacy of Oil Through Art’

The Black Gold Museum has officially opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a flagship project of the nation’s Vision 2030 initiative. Housed in a Zaha Hadid-designed complex and directed by Jack Persekian, the institution features over 350 artworks by 170 international and local artists, including Manal AlDowayan and Doug Aitken. The museum explores the history and cultural impact of oil through four thematic sections—Encounter, Dreams, Doubts, and Visions—blending historical narrative with contemporary artistic reflection.

Diane Keaton’s Iconic Wardrobe and Art Collection Head to Auction

Bonhams auction house, in collaboration with the Fine Art Group, is organizing a four-part, 550-lot sale of Diane Keaton's personal belongings. The sales, taking place online and in New York from late May to mid-June, will include her iconic wardrobe, Hollywood memorabilia, home furnishings, and a significant portion of her art collection, featuring works by artists like Robert Rauschenberg and Ed Ruscha, as well as her own mixed-media collages.

Overdue payments to artists, landlords and workers at a popular gallery reflect pressures squeezing the dealer sector

The Hole, a prominent gallery with locations in New York and Los Angeles, is facing significant financial distress characterized by shuttered spaces and mounting legal disputes. Following a period of rapid expansion fueled by the 2021–2023 art market boom, the gallery has permanently closed its West Hollywood location and is currently facing multiple lawsuits from Manhattan landlords alleging over $180,000 in unpaid rent and taxes. Founder Kathy Grayson attributes the crisis to a sharp decline in sales starting in late 2023, which has left the gallery struggling to pay artists, staff, and creditors.

In 2026, DeviantArt Is Helping Artists Cut Through The Noise and Fuel Sustainable Careers

DeviantArt has undergone a significant resurgence, reaching over 108 million users by 2026 following a multi-year modernization effort. The platform has pivoted away from traditional advertising models to a creator-centric ecosystem that prioritizes artist monetization through subscriptions, digital tip jars, and low-fee sales. By removing third-party ads and implementing advanced image protection technology, the site has positioned itself as a secure alternative to mainstream social media for digital creators.

How did a 16th-century European basin end up as a sacred object in West Africa?

The Aya Kese, a massive 16th-century northern European brass basin, is currently on display at the British Museum while its complex history remains under scrutiny. Looted by British officer Robert Baden-Powell in 1896 from the Asante kingdom’s royal mausoleum in present-day Ghana, the object was long sensationalized by colonial accounts as a vessel for human sacrifice. Recent scholarship and historical records from Asante King Prempeh I contest these claims, asserting the basin’s sacred role as a spiritual repository for the souls of the Asante people.

Inspiration awaits at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has solidified its status as a premier global cultural destination following the completion of its Sydney Modern Project. The institution now comprises two distinct architectural landmarks: the historic Naala Nura (South Building) and the contemporary Naala Badu (North Building), designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA. These new Aboriginal names, meaning "seeing Country" and "seeing waters," reflect a deep institutional commitment to Indigenous engagement and the gallery's unique geographic position overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Milan’s contemporary art credentials further bolstered by arrival of Paris Internationale

Paris Internationale, the influential non-profit art fair, has announced its inaugural Milan edition featuring a lineup of 34 galleries. Scheduled to coincide with Milan Art Week, Miart, and the Salone del Mobile, the fair includes prominent participants such as Jocelyn Wolff, kaufmann repetto, and Sylvia Kouvali. The move signals a strategic expansion for the French organization into a city increasingly recognized for its intersection of art, design, and high-level production.

Irreconcilable differences: Canadian cultural tourism to the US experiences a steep decline

Canadian tourism to the United States has plummeted by more than 30% following a period of heightened political tension, including threats of annexation and the imposition of trade tariffs by the Trump administration. This decline is being felt acutely across the northern border states and major cultural hubs, with cities like Seattle, Detroit, and Portland reporting significant drops in Canadian visitors.

Which Country’s Art Market Came Out on Top in 2025?

The United States solidified its position as the world's leading art market in 2025, with fine-art auction sales rising 25.3 percent to reach $5.4 billion. Despite early volatility caused by trade tariffs, a surging stock market and cooling inflation fueled a massive November auction season in New York, where nine of the year's ten most expensive artworks were sold. In contrast, China's market contracted by nearly 11 percent due to a persistent property crisis, while the United Kingdom and France saw significant growth, with Paris benefiting from the momentum of Art Basel Paris.

Matt Dillon’s New Paintings Trace a Journey Across West Africa

Actor Matt Dillon presents his first solo exhibition at The Journal Gallery in New York, titled "Porto Novo to Abomey," opening April 24. The series of paintings was inspired by Dillon's travels through Senegal and Benin after filming Claire Denis's movie *The Fence* (2025). Dillon, who began painting about a decade ago with little formal training, creates spontaneous, textured works featuring bold figures, symbols, and words. The show's title traces a 100-mile journey from Benin's capital to the historic Kingdom of Dahomey, reflecting the artist's impressions of local textiles, architecture, and landscapes.

Opening of Berlin Modern postponed to 2030

L’ouverture du Berlin Modern repoussée à 2030

The opening of the Berlin Modern museum has been delayed to 2030 due to construction setbacks and cost overruns. According to German media outlet Monopol, the project has been plagued by humidity issues, including mold, algae, and bacteria on new surfaces, caused by winter dampness, concrete sensitivity, and faulty ventilation. Originally launched in 2019 with a planned opening in mid-2020, the museum's completion has been repeatedly pushed back, with costs soaring from an initial €200 million to over €500 million, making it the most expensive museum ever built in Germany. The building, designed by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, is located at the Kulturforum and will house 20th-century art collections from the Nationalgalerie, the Marx Collection, the Pietzsch Collection, and holdings from the Kupferstichkabinett and the Kunstbibliothek.

Obey Giant x Add Fuel Modular Frequency Shepard Fairey Fine Contemporary Art , 2026

Street art pioneer Shepard Fairey has released a collaborative screen print titled "Modular Frequency" in partnership with Portuguese artist Add Fuel (Diogo Machado). The limited-edition work, produced by Obey Giant Studios, features a fusion of Fairey’s signature propaganda-style aesthetics with Add Fuel’s contemporary take on traditional tile patterns. The hand-signed and numbered edition is currently being offered through New Union Gallery on the Artsy platform.

Barbara Chase-Riboud Speaks Out on Declining US Biennale Pavilion

Sculptor and author Barbara Chase-Riboud has publicly declined an invitation to represent the United States at the 2026 Venice Biennale, stating it was "not the moment" for her to do so. She was among the artists initially considered by the newly formed American Arts Conservancy (AAC), which is organizing the US pavilion after both she and photographer William Eggleston turned down the opportunity.

Collecting in Madrid: 50 Ways to Build the Contemporary

COLECCIONAR EN MADRID: 50 FORMAS DE CONSTRUIR LO CONTEMPORÁNEO

The exhibition 'Madrid Colecciona. 50 colecciones de arte contemporáneo' opened at CentroCentro, showcasing a hundred works from fifty private collections in Madrid. It shifts focus from the artwork and artist to the often-opaque figure of the collector, allowing each collector to present two pieces: one of personal significance and one recent acquisition, accompanied by their own explanatory texts.

How Much Change Can Society Endure?

Wie viel Veränderung hält die Gesellschaft aus?

Artist Julius von Bismarck and SPD politician Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter engaged in a deep dialogue about the societal transition from a fossil-fuel-based to a post-fossil society. During a live podcast hosted by Monopol editor-in-chief Elke Buhr at the BMW Foundation in Berlin, von Bismarck challenged traditional notions of environmental protection, arguing that the very concept of "nature" should be abolished to foster a new relationship with the world. The discussion bridged the gap between artistic radicalism and political pragmatism, touching on existential threats, global inequality, and the role of technology like AI.

Protests in Mexico Against the Transfer of a Rare Collection to Spain

Protestations au Mexique contre le transfert en Espagne d’une rare collection

A coalition of nearly 400 art professionals in Mexico is protesting the planned transfer of the prestigious Gelman Collection to Spain. The collection, which includes iconic works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, is slated to move to the Faro Santander museum in northern Spain under a five-year management agreement with Banco Santander. Critics describe the move as a "public disaster," citing the opaque 2023 sale of the collection to the Zambrano family and the potential violation of Natasha Gelman’s original will, which stipulated the works remain in Mexico.

At Alserkal Avenue’s Deja Vu, UAE galleries find strength in collaboration

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai has launched "Deja Vu," a multi-gallery exhibition bringing together 20 UAE-based galleries at the Concrete venue, running until May 8. Curated by Zaina Zaarour with co-curators Kevin Jones and Nada Raza, the show features works including German artist Michael Sailstorfer's installation of a car fuel tank, reflecting anxieties around fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty. The exhibition emerged from urgent community meetings after the Iran war disrupted the spring art season, which typically includes Art Dubai and collector visits. Participating galleries include 16 from Alserkal Avenue, plus Nika Project Space, Total Arts at The Courtyard, Tabari Artspace, and Iris Projects, with many works priced under $10,000 to facilitate sales.

Reaching for the stars: enduring symbols of Soviet science – in pictures

Photographer Eric Lusito documents Soviet-era scientific institutes across former USSR states in his book "Soviet Scientific Institutes," published by FUEL. The photo essay captures decaying facilities and enduring equipment at locations including the Institute of Radio Astronomy in Kharkiv, Ukraine; the Byurakan astrophysical observatory in Armenia; the Andronikashvili Institute of Physics in Tbilisi, Georgia; and the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute in Kazakhstan, among others.

Naho Kawabe "Flos Filicis: Flower of the Fern" @ WAITINGROOM

川辺ナホ「Flos Filicis：羊歯の花」@ WAITINGROOM

The Tokyo gallery WAITINGROOM is hosting "Flos Filicis: Flower of the Fern," a solo exhibition by Naho Kawabe featuring new installations, photo collages, and drawings. The exhibition centers on the paradoxical concept of the "fern flower" to explore the relationship between fossil fuels, industrial infrastructure, and the myth of progress. Kawabe utilizes materials like charcoal and electrical components alongside research-based lithographs to examine the history of Japanese migrant coal miners in Germany and the broader ecological impact of energy consumption.

Probing the Intergalactic Art Installations of Thai Artist Torlarp “Hern” Larpjaroensook

Thai artist Torlarp “Hern” Larpjaroensook creates immersive sci-fi sculptures and installations using found and ready-made objects. His recent work 'Cosmos of Nostalgia' was displayed at the NTU Museum in Singapore from January to April 2026, part of a campus-wide exhibition featuring three Southeast Asian artists. Earlier notable works include 'U.S.O. – Unidentified Standing Object' (2018) at Subhashok The Arts Centre in Bangkok and 'Spiritual Spaceship' (2018) at the Bangkok Art Biennale, which explored the contrast between modern technology and traditional Thai spirituality.

The Death of the Art School

In a faculty meeting at Purchase College in New York, an administrator referred to students as "consumers," prompting the author to reflect on the pervasive corporatization and "administrification" of American higher education. The article argues that this language reflects a broader restructuring of universities as businesses, where students are customers, knowledge is a product, and faculty are service providers. It cites data showing that between 1976 and 2011, non-faculty professional positions grew by 369% while tenure-track faculty grew by only 23%, and at Purchase College, administrator salaries rose over 45% from 2016 to 2024 while assistant professor salaries rose just 14%, with inflation at 31%.

Life with ALS fuels the newest art exhibit in Covington

Photographer Rusty Costanza opened an exhibition of his black-and-white photographs at the Art House in Covington, documenting his life and perspective since being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). The show was the featured exhibit of the annual Spring for Art celebration, with a special preview for friends, family, and patrons.

New Providence Artist Zenia Olesnyckyj Opens "Impressions of Alaska" Exhibition at Summit Free Public Library

Artist Zenia Olesnyckyj is presenting her exhibition "Impressions of Alaska" at the Gallery at the Summit Free Public Library from May 1 to June 30, 2026. The show features twenty mixed-media works inspired by the Alaskan landscape and the art of the Tlingit people, aiming to capture the grandeur and intimacy of the region through texture and color.

Scandal in Florence's Skyline? After the Black Cube and the White Cylinder, the Prism That Impales Santa Croce Appears

Scandalo nello skyline di Firenze? Dopo il cubo nero e il cilindro bianco spunta il prisma che impalla Santa Croce

A cylindrical antenna installed by the telecom company Iliad in Florence has sparked controversy after it was reported that, from certain angles, it visually overlaps with iconic landmarks such as Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Campanile. The article traces a pattern of periodic scandals in Florence, including a previous uproar over the so-called "Cubo Nero" (a new building replacing a decaying theater), and notes that the antenna has actually been in place since 2023 without earlier outcry. Local artist Giacomo Costa recently photographed another white prismatic antenna in Via Ghibellina, within the UNESCO zone, that obstructs the view of Santa Croce, fueling further debate.

Artwork made with coal from the Titanic to debut at exhibition in Conroe

The Conroe Art League is set to debut a unique sculpture crafted from authentic coal recovered from the wreckage of the Titanic. The piece, created by local artist and retired engineer Dr. Robert 'Bob' G. Stevens, will be featured at the league’s upcoming exhibition in Conroe, Texas. The artwork utilizes a rare sample of the fuel that powered the ill-fated ocean liner, transforming a historical artifact into a contemporary sculptural form.