Cultured magazine has published a preview of artists to watch in 2026, focusing on the upcoming biennial season. The article features insights from a dozen industry insiders, including Diya Vij of Powerhouse Arts, who highlights Guadalupe Maravilla's healing-focused practice; Allan Schwartzman, who champions Yoko Ono's underrecognized legacy; Hans Ulrich Obrist, who anticipates Koo Jeong A's multisensory exhibitions; and Victoria M. Rogers, who spotlights Akinsanya Kambon's politically charged ceramics. Major events in 2026 include the 61st Venice Biennale (opening after the death of commissioner Koyo Kouoh), new Art Basel and Frieze fairs in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and expansions at LACMA and the New Museum.
This article matters because it signals the art world's shifting focus toward socially engaged, healing-oriented, and historically overlooked practices amid a packed calendar of global biennials and institutional expansions. The inclusion of figures like Yoko Ono and Koo Jeong A reflects a broader reevaluation of artists who have been marginalized by systemic biases, while the emphasis on artists like Maravilla and Kambon underscores the growing importance of art that addresses migration, trauma, and political resistance. The piece also serves as a curated guide for collectors, curators, and enthusiasts navigating the 2026 art landscape.