ARTnews has published a list of seven art books to look forward to in May 2026, covering a wide range of topics from contemporary theory and AI imagery to historical biographies and the Venice Biennale. Featured titles include Dena Yago's collected writings 'That Figures,' Victoria Johnson's biography of Frederic Church 'Glorious Country,' Trevor Paglen's 'How to See Like a Machine,' Nicholas Fox Weber's 'Anni Albers: A Life,' Massimiliano Gioni's 'High Waters: An Oral History of the Venice Biennale,' Rennie McDougall's 'Nonstop Bodies: How Dance Shaped New York City,' and Paul Elie's 'Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex and Controversy in the 1980s.'
This roundup matters because it highlights the ongoing vitality of art publishing, offering readers a curated selection of works that address critical issues in visual culture, art history, and the intersection of art with politics, technology, and society. The list also signals emerging trends in art discourse, such as the reassessment of overlooked artists like Anni Albers, the impact of AI on image-making, and the continued examination of the culture wars of the 1980s, making it a useful guide for both casual readers and art professionals.