The article profiles three emerging artists to watch in 2026: Lebanese artist Dala Nasser, who creates politically charged works using materials like salted water and cyanotypes; Chinese-born, Berkeley-based artist Connie Zheng, whose work maps plantation economies and resource extractivism through painterly and symbolic compositions; and New York-based artist Nina Hartmann, who creates resin works inspired by DIY plaques and memorials, exploring hidden histories and Freemason symbolism. Each artist is highlighted for upcoming exhibitions or new series in 2026.
This matters because the article signals key trends in contemporary art: the use of materiality and environmental politics (Nasser), the intersection of colonial history and market speculation (Zheng), and the excavation of overlooked vernacular and occult symbols (Hartmann). By spotlighting these artists early, the piece shapes collector and curator attention, influencing exhibition programming and market interest in the coming year.