The June 18, 2025 edition of ARTnews' Morning Links reports that Iran and Israel have taken protective measures for artworks and heritage sites amid escalating missile strikes. Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization moved artifacts to secure storage and closed museums, while Israeli museums transferred artworks to protected storage, with Suzanne Landau, director of the Israel Museum, noting the country's familiarity with such crises. Other headlines include a government watchdog finding that President Donald Trump illegally slashed funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an interview with Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova about her performance at MOCA Los Angeles, earthquake damage to monasteries in northern Greece, and details about the Studio Museum in Harlem's inaugural exhibitions. The digest also covers TEFAF's cameo in the TV show 'And Just Like That', a Jenny Saville drawing heading to auction at Sotheby's, and a profile of previously unknown Surrealist painter Henry Orlik.
This roundup matters because it highlights the intersection of geopolitical conflict and cultural heritage, showing how museums and governments prioritize art protection during war. The IMLS funding story underscores ongoing legal battles over executive power and arts funding in the U.S., while the Studio Museum's expansion and the TEFAF pop-culture reference reflect the evolving visibility of art institutions. The Saville auction and Orlik rediscovery illustrate market dynamics and the belated recognition of overlooked artists, making this a snapshot of current art-world concerns from preservation to commerce.