Erdoğan Wins Fifth Term Amid Art Community Concerns
7.15.25
Turkish President Recep Erdoğan has won five more years in office, sparking concerns among artists and cultural figures who have faced intimidation under his rule. A new museum, Odunpazari Modern Museum designed by Kengo Kuma, is set to open in Eskişehir in June, featuring the collection of architect Erol Tabanca. The Istanbul Modern museum, designed by Renzo Piano, is nearing completion and aims to make art more accessible to the city's 16 million inhabitants through its new location in a 19th-century military factory, known as Istanbul Feshane.
The Art Newspaper is hosting an exhibition "Edvard Munch: Lifeblood" in Oslo until September 21st, featuring artefacts from the artist's remarkable explorations of both the human body and the soul. The exhibition is a testament to Munch's work, with his voice emerging strongest through the selection of artefacts by curator Trine Otte Bak Nielsen.
Russian Artist Erarta Faces Closure Threats in St Petersburg
7.15.25
Russian artist Erarta is facing potential closure due to opposition from some lawmakers, but Duma deputy Ksenia Goryacheva defended the museum as a vital part of St Petersburg's cultural life.
Ubah Rumah Unveils Artistic Wonders on Nikoi Island
7.15.25
Nikoi Island, located 50 miles from Singapore in Indonesia's Riau Archipelago, hosts a residency program for Southeast Asian artists, including Singaporean artist Ernest Goh, who co-directs the Ubah Rumah Residency. The island, which welcomes tourists and artists alike, features unique installations like a boat sculpture inspired by Orang Laut seafaring communities, drawing visitors' attention with its unexpected artistic surprises.
Afghan singer Zulala, 25, has gone missing amid fears for her life and welfare in a country where music is banned by the Taliban-led government. Her husband, Sadat, claims she was forced to leave due to domestic violence allegations made by the Taliban police, but he denies these claims, stating they had a happy love marriage. Zulala rose to fame after participating in Afghan Star, an Afghan version of American Idol, where she became the first female singer to finish in the top two and gained millions of fans before music was outlawed in 2021.
Alicja Kwade's 'Geologies of the Impossible' on Capri
7.15.25
Alicja Kwade's installation "Geologies of the Impossible" at Belvedere Tragara on Capri, Italy, challenges traditional notions of space and function with three bronze chairs obstructed by blocks of raw stone. The Carrier and Double Carrier series, part of her work, is recontextualized in this liminal setting, where landscape, time, and gaze converge.
The Carpenter Center is launching its 2025-26 season this fall, featuring a diverse lineup of acts including Grammy-winning artist Bilal, who will kick off the season with two shows on September 12-13. Other performers include pianist and composer David Benoit, who will perform "Tribute to Charlie Brown Christmas" on December 6, and Sandra Bernhard in her "Wit & Wisdom" series on September 27. The season also includes a holiday show by David Burnham, the Peking Acrobats' acrobatic performance on January 17, and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque's acrobatics on March 21, before closing with Benny Benack III's show on May 6.
Christie's Expands into Saudi Arabia with Nour Kelani
7.15.25
Christie's is set to become the first global auction house to operate in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh-based managing director Nour Kelani at the helm. This move aims to deepen ties with the Kingdom's collectors and support ambitious cultural projects. The announcement comes as London's Middle Eastern art sales have defied tensions, with Arab cultural entities overcoming early uncertainties related to the Israel-Hamas war. In contrast, Christie's had previously cancelled a Dubai sale of Middle Eastern art in 2020 due to new strategy and constrained supply of works.
Christie's Sells Riggio Collection for $271 Million
7.15.25
Christie's recent single-owner auctions have seen significant sales, including a $271,943,100 sale of works owned by Leonard and Louise Riggio, featuring pieces by Balthus, Arshile Gorky, Rene Magritte, Piet Mondrian, and Pablo Picasso. Sotheby's also had success with its May 21 auction of fifty Old Masters artworks from the collection of Jordan and Thomas Saunders III, earning $64.7 million. Christie's Vice President Elizabeth Siegel attributes the success to items owned by well-known individuals.