Art News. Vasari Codex

article news schedule May 18, 2026 visibility 7 link 8 artists, 1 gallery

Thousands Decry Right-Wing “Smear Campaign” Against Misan Harriman

Over 97,000 people have filed complaints with the UK's Independent Press Standards Organisation against right-wing news outlets, including the Telegraph, for articles characterizing Misan Harriman's social media posts as antisemitic. Harriman, a photographer, human rights activist, and chair of London's Southbank Centre, has rejected the accusations, stating he has long championed marginalized communities and that the backlash stems from his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. An open letter supporting Harriman has been signed by 245 figures, including Tracey Emin, Greta Thunberg, and Mark Ruffalo, while the Telegraph published two articles scrutinizing his Instagram activity, prompting calls from Labour MP David Taylor for his removal from the board.

newspaper Hyperallergic open_in_new Read original

After the firestorm: First look at Australian artist’s Venice Biennale works

Australia has opened its pavilion at the Venice Biennale featuring artist Khaled Sabsabi's multimedia installation "conference of one's self," a vivid work inspired by a 12th-century Sufi poem. The exhibition follows a political firestorm: Creative Australia initially selected Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostini to represent the country, then rescinded the invitation after controversy over a 2007 video featuring Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The decision was later reinstated, and Sabsabi also has a companion work in the main Biennale exhibition curated by Koyo Kouoh. The pavilion is funded by the federal government and private donors including Simon Mordant and the Turnbull Foundation.