McArthur's Prison Artwork Authenticity Under Scrutiny in SA
7.21.25
South Australia's prisons authorities are investigating the authenticity of a disturbing artwork said to have been created by serial murderer Bruce McArthur, who was convicted in 2018 for murdering four men. The artwork is believed to be one of several items seized from McArthur's home during his arrest. Authorities are examining the artwork to determine if it was indeed created by McArthur while he was incarcerated at a maximum-security prison in South Australia.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has announced its annual awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in various music categories. The winners include notable musicians such as Maestro Conrado Boscon, Maestro Jose Maceda, and Maestro Francisco Santiago. The NCCA's awards ceremony honors artists who have made significant contributions to Philippine music, including those from the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of the Philippines Wind Ensemble, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Oklahoma City is set to honor civil rights leader Clara Luper with a new sculpture commemorating her famous sit-ins. Construction is underway and expected to be completed by November. The sculpture was created in New York, where it underwent multiple iterations before being shipped to Berkeley, California for finalization.
Uruguay is gaining recognition as a hub for international contemporary art with the upcoming opening of the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Atchugarry in Punta del Este, set to open next January. Sculptor Pablo Atchugarry is behind the project, which aims to be Uruguay's most comprehensive museum. The move follows Italian collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo dropping plans for a new space in Madrid due to structural issues with the Matadero's Nave 9 building.
Philippine Embassy Thanks Imperial Highness at Expo Osaka
7.21.25
The Philippine Embassy has expressed gratitude to Her Imperial Highness for her continued support of its cultural initiatives at Expo 2025 Osaka. The country's pavilion, themed "Women," showcases the nation's focus on "Nature, Culture & Community: Woven Together for a Better Future." The pavilion features interactive AI installations and daily cultural performances, aligning with the expo's vision of creating a "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" through a blend of tradition, innovation, and human connection.
SM Supermalls is launching "Art for Everyone," an art exhibit that aims to make art accessible to the public. The initiative follows last year's successful Art Market, which earned SM a Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Events. Rodora Tolentino, mall manager of SM City Baliwag, emphasizes the importance of creating a platform where artists can showcase their work and where people from all backgrounds can enjoy and own Filipino art.
A heritage building in Sydney's Chinatown, intended as the Museum of Chinese in Australia, has spent four years with its doors shut despite receiving millions of dollars in government funding. The site, which was listed on Google Maps as a museum, now reads "Sydney City Library Haymarket" due to refurbishment work that never began. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek visited the building in April to announce $2.6 million in federal funding for fit-outs, but it remains closed.
Venice Theatre Hosts Global Festival After Restoration
7.21.25
The Venice Theatre in the US is hosting a week-long international theatre festival, expected to attract over 8,000 visitors. The festival will feature global productions, parties, and workshops. Founded in 1950, the theatre welcomes over 65,000 patrons annually through live performances and educational programs. A $25 million restoration project was launched in 2022 after Hurricane Ian damaged its mainstage Jervey Theatre.
Tomorrow X Together Drops New Album 'The Star Chapter'
7.21.25
Tomorrow X Together has released their fourth full-length album "The Star Chapter: Together", which includes tracks such as "Beautiful Strangers" and "Ghost Girl". The group performed at a press showcase at Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace in Seoul, where Taehyun emphasized that the album can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the band's story. Yeonjun expressed his gratitude for being cited as inspiration for a character in Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters", a show contributing to K-pop's global success.