11 Contemporary Emirati Artists To Know

The article highlights 11 contemporary Emirati artists, providing an overview of their practices and significance within the Gulf's evolving art scene. It contextualizes this list against recent major events in the region, including the debut of Art Basel Qatar in early February and the subsequent U.S. attacks on Iran, which caused turmoil across the Gulf, disrupted airline operations, and forced Art Dubai to scale back its event to a smaller fair in mid-May. Artists and galleries in the Gulf also had to temporarily close.

12 Worldwide Polish Women-Led Exhibitions in 2026. Artistic Visions Unfolding Globally.

A wave of exhibitions led by Polish women artists is set to sweep across global institutions in 2026, highlighting themes of feminism, digital capitalism, and cultural identity. Key upcoming shows include Karolina Wojtas’s first U.S. solo exhibition, "Made in Poland," at Light Work in Syracuse, and Agnieszka Kurant’s "RECURSION" at Marian Goodman Gallery in New York. These exhibitions span diverse media, from interactive soft sculptures and photography to complex installations involving bacteria and artificial intelligence.

In the Principality of Monaco, an exhibition where the great painter Poussin dialogues with contemporary art

Nel Principato di Monaco una mostra dove il grande pittore Poussin dialoga con l’arte contemporanea

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco presents an exhibition titled "Le Sentiment de la Nature," which juxtaposes works by 17th-century French painter Nicolas Poussin and his followers with pieces by about thirty contemporary and 20th-century artists. The show is organized into six thematic sections—storms and nights, forests and gardens, seas and waterfalls, deserts and volcanoes, mountains, and flowers and butterflies—each exploring the ancient concept of "miracula naturae" (wonders of nature). Featured contemporary artists include Nan Goldin, Andreas Gursky, Thomas Demand, Sarah Moon, Mimmo Jodice, Giulio Paolini, Giorgio Andreotta Calò, and Fausto Melotti, with works spanning photography, painting, video, and sculpture. The exhibition runs until May 25, 2026, and is accompanied by a catalog published by Italian publisher Humboldt Books in collaboration with the museum.

LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTS AT THE BIENNALE DI VENEZIA 2026

The 61st Venice Biennale, titled 'In Minor Keys' and curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, will run from May to November 2026. The exhibition will feature 15 artists from Latin America, including Alvaro Barrington, Carolina Caycedo, Alfredo Jaar, and Guadalupe Maravilla, among others, who will present works across the Giardini, Arsenale, and other Venetian venues.

TWO NEW ORLEANS ARTISTS SELECTED FOR THE 61ST INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION OF LA BIENNALE DI VENEZI

New Orleans artists Dawn DeDeaux and Big Chief Demond Melancon have been selected to participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled "In Minor Keys." Curated by Koyo Kouoh, the exhibition marks the first time since 2015 that artists from New Orleans have been featured in the main international section. DeDeaux is recognized for her pioneering multidisciplinary work, while Melancon represents the Black Masking culture of the Young Seminole Hunters, showcasing the city's intersection of contemporary innovation and ancestral tradition.

From oil to canvas: Saudi Arabia’s emerging art economy

Saudi Arabia's art market reached a significant milestone with Sotheby’s second "Origins" auction in Riyadh, headlined by the $2.1 million sale of Safeya Binzagr’s painting "Coffee Shop in Madina Road." This record-breaking event, which nearly doubled its high estimate, underscores the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s art economy under the Vision 2030 plan. The auction saw a mix of local and international buyers, signaling that Saudi artists are increasingly being integrated into the global contemporary art dialogue.

Iris van Dongen at dépendance VIEW

Iris van Dongen presents 'Spellbound' at dépendance VIEW in Brussels, running from April 30 to May 23, 2026. The exhibition features 13 images documenting the show, with press release, floor plan, and checklist available. Images are courtesy of the artist and the gallery, with photos by Camille Poitevin.

An Hoang at Halsey McKay

An Hoang at Halsey McKay

An Hoang has opened a solo exhibition titled "Garden Poems" at Halsey McKay Gallery in East Hampton. The show, running from February 7 through March 29, 2026, features a collection of new works, documented by 33 images in the announcement. This presentation marks a continued collaboration with the gallery, highlighting Hoang's latest artistic developments.

Lakota artist’s solo exhibition captures the tradition of storytelling

Lakota artist Dyani White Hawk is presenting a solo exhibition that bridges the gap between traditional Indigenous art forms and contemporary abstraction. The showcase features a range of media, including painting, photography, and video, all centered on the enduring power of Lakota storytelling and the preservation of cultural heritage through visual language.

Jon Pestoni at Zodiac Pictures

Jon Pestoni's exhibition "More Bermuda Than Pizza" is on view at Zodiac Pictures in Los Angeles from April 11 to May 9, 2026. The show presents a series of new paintings by the artist, documented through 32 images on the exhibition page, with a press release and works list available for reference.

Grove Gallery to host Women Painting Women Exhibition opening reception March 7

Grove Gallery in Evanston is set to host "Women Painting Women," an exhibition running from March 7 to April 25 that features figurative works by eighteen female artists. The collection focuses on the human form through the lens of individual selfhood, archetypal figures, and surrealism, specifically aiming to challenge the traditional male gaze in art.

Bohol artist Jjawzip debuts solo exhibit “April’s Fool” at Dajon Art Gallery Bohol

Boholano mixed-media artist Joseph “Jjawzip” Ingking has launched his debut physical solo exhibition, “April’s Fool,” at Dajon Art Studio & Gallery in Baclayon, Bohol. The showcase features a series of paired paintings and toy sculptures that explore the recurring character "Energy Kid," a figure shaped by the artist’s personal history. Utilizing vibrant colors and recycled materials, the works—such as “Fragile Freedom” and “Radiance Reimagined”—blend fantasy with social commentary on themes ranging from the fragility of peace to the vitality of creative discovery.

In Conversation: Jen Everett and Dr. Blair Ebony Smith

Interdisciplinary St. Louis artist Jen Everett will discuss her work in the Elevate exhibition at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, joined by artist-scholar Dr. Blair Ebony Smith. The conversation will focus on themes of Black interiority, memory, archives, deep listening, sound, and collaboration, followed by an audience Q&A. The event takes place on April 26, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

March brings exhibits, music and workshops to New Bedford museum

The New Bedford Art Museum has announced a diverse programming schedule for March 2026, headlined by the exhibition "AHA! Night: Resistance." This show features contemporary Mexican artists utilizing sculpture, textiles, and performance documentation to explore themes of social justice, indigenous knowledge, and political dissent. Accompanying the exhibition is a specialized workshop led by Oaxacan artist Ricardo Ángeles, focusing on traditional Zapotec design and wood-painting techniques.