Venice – Jenny Holzer: “War Paintings” at the Museo Correr Through November 22nd, 2015

Friday, May 8th, 2015

Jenny Holzer, I was called (2013), via Art Observed
Jenny Holzer, I was called (2013), via Art Observed

Running in conjunction with the events of the Biennale, and fittingly tying itself to themes of political action and structural instability, Venice’s Museo Correr is opening a new exhibition of works by the artist Jenny Holzer, focusing on the artist’s recent explorations into the aesthetic underpinnings of U.S. interrogation policy, declassified military and governmental documents, and other visual devices of the political war machine.  Titled War Paintings, the exhibition is a welcome examination of the artist’s most recent body of work, a stark departure from previous practice that still feels appropriate in the context of her career. (more…)

Venice – Cy Twombly: “Paradise” at Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art Through September 16th, 2015

Thursday, May 7th, 2015

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Cy Twombly, Paesaggio (1986), via Sophie Kitching for Art Observed

Undeniably one the greatest artists of 20th century, Cy Twombly‘s work is currently on display at the Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery in Venice, offering an in-depth look at the American artist, and his long residence in Italy.  Combining work from Twombly’s last series produced in 2011, an early painting on wood from 1951, and sculptural work from late in his career, this show delivers on its promise of a look at the artist’s career, while avoiding the demands of an exhaustive survey of his practice.  (more…)

AO On-Site – Venice: “All the World’s Futures” – The 56th Venice Biennale at The Arsenale Through November 22nd, 2015

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

IbrahimMahama_OutOfBounds_2014-2015_ArsenaleVeniceBiennale_SK_1
Ibrahim Mahama, Out of Bounds (2015), via Sophie Kitching for Art Observed

The first open hours have come and gone in the City of Bridges today, and the 56th edition of the Venice Biennale, All the World’s Futures is now open.  Welcoming 89 different countries to exhibit in the city, with 29 in the Arsenale, 31 in the Central Pavilion, and an additional 29 spread across in the City itself, the exhibition is a monumental affair, with a number of auxiliary events, openings and parties.

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AO Auction Preview – New York: Impressionist/Modern and Post-War/Contemporary Auctions, May 5th-14th, 2015

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

Claude Monet, Nympheas (1905), via Sotheby's
Claude Monet, Nymphéas (1905), via Sotheby’s

As the art world prepares to jet en masse to Italy this week for the opening of the Biennale Previews, the auction houses are also preparing for their biggest stage of the spring season, with two weeks of major evening sales in both the Impressionist/Modern and Post-War/Contemporary categories set to take place in New York. (more…)

London – Isa Genzken: “Geldbilder” at Hauser & Wirth Through May 16th, 2015

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

Isa Genzken, Geldbild I (2014)
Isa Genzken, Geldbild I (2014)

Referred to as “one of the most important and influential female artists of the past 30 years” by MoMA on the occasion of her retrospective at the museum in 2013, Isa Genzken‘s new work is the subject of Hauser &Wirth’s current solo exhibition in London. Less known in the States compared to her artistic influence and recognition in Europe, Genzken has pursued a notably progressive career in the recent decade, building new bodies of work and showing in various international venues. (more…)

Alex Katz Interviewed in WSJ

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

Alex Katz is profiled in the Wall Street Journal this week, looking back on his lengthy career, and the level of success he has achieved in recent years.  “I just love putting it to people who didn’t like me,” Katz says. “There are people from 20, 30, 40 years ago that I love meeting on the street and saying hello. I don’t have to say anything, I just have to say hello, and my presence reminds them of their mistakes.” (more…)

Adrian Ghenie Moves to Thaddaeus Ropac

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

Adrian Ghenie will now be represented by Thaddaeus Ropac, with the news coming shortly before the artist opens his solo exhibition at the Romanian Pavilion.  Ghenie will open his first exhibition at Ropac’s Paris Marais gallery this October. (more…)

Lisa Yuskavage Interviewed in Paris Review

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

Lisa Yuskavage is interviewed in The Paris Review this week, shortly after opening a show at David Zwirner earlier this month.  In the interivew, Yuskavage reveals some unconventional aspects behind her new work, including dabbling in online dating networks.  “It’s interesting because in order to make some of these paintings of men, I did something a few years ago—I didn’t realize why I was doing it at the time. I joined Grindr. I had a Grindr persona.”  Yuskavage tells the magazine.  “You didn’t think I was going to say that today, did you?” (more…)

New York: Charline Von Heyl: “Dusseldorf: Paintings From The Early 90’s” at Petzel Gallery Through May 2nd, 2015

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Charline Von Heyl-Dusseldorf Paintings from the early 90's- Petzel Gallery
Charline Von Heyl Untitled (1995)

Petzel Gallery is currently inaugurating its new uptown location with early works from contemporary abstract painter Charline Von Heyl. Considered one of the leading female contemporary abstract painters, the New York based artist, known for an eclectic style which admires both the natural and the constructed.  Serving as a window into the painter’s early work and artistic roots, Düsseldorf: Paintings from the early 90’s is a collection of paintings never before shown in the U.S. Shown in Cologne and Munich during 1991 and 1995, these paintings posses a bold approach to abstraction, with their provocative aesthetic strength and impressive historical awareness.  In light of a past show with Petzel in September of 2013, this exhibition provides insight into some of the deeply rooted artistic practices that are still present in Von Heyl’s current works, combining heavy use of illustration and abstraction to powerful effect. (more…)

BP Portrait Award Shortlist Announced

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

The annual BP Portrait Award has announced this year’s shortlist, featuring artists from the UK, Israel and Spain.  “It was good to see even more international artists entering and my fellow judges and I were impressed by the different styles of portraiture, some quite new to the exhibition, and intrigued by the stories behind the portraits,” says Pim Baxter, the deputy director at London’s National Portrait Gallery. (more…)

British Airways Partners with Tate for In-Flight Arts Channel

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Beginning May 1st, British Airways is launching a new in-flight television channel run by the Tate, featuring interviews and profiles in artists like Grayson Perry, Ed Ruscha and Ai Weiwei.  “We’re excited to be the first airline to have a dedicated Tate channel, offering our customers more entertainment options than ever before.”  British Airways in-flight entertainment manager, Richard D’Cruze, says.  “There is definitely a trend to use your flight time to discover something new and different and feel a sense of accomplishment when you step off a plane.”  (more…)

Sotheby’s to Sell Long-Missing Francis Bacon Self-Portraits This July in London

Monday, April 27th, 2015

A pair of Francis Bacon self-portraits that have been considered missing since they were painted in the mid-1970’s have been found, and are going on sale at Sotheby’s this July in London, estimated at £15 million each.  “Marlborough Fine Art kept a photographic archive and so both of these paintings appeared in a book on Bacon’s self-portraits but, apart from being reproduced in books, they’ve not been seen,” says Sotheby’s Oliver Barker. “We knew of the existence of the paintings but simply had no idea where they could be.” (more…)

Shirin Neshat Profiled in FT

Saturday, April 25th, 2015

The Financial Times profiles Iranian artist Shirin Neshat as she prepares to open a career retrospective at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. and Baku, Azerbaijan.  “As an Iranian in exile, she has always been very articulate about the idea of a condition of diaspora and, with that, the complexity of feeling connected to a culture, but living outside it,” says Director Melissa Chiu. “It’s a very personal approach to history, through Shirin’s own eyes.” (more…)

New York – “Debris” at James Fuentes Gallery Through April 26th, 2015

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

Cal (Factory Face) 1984, James Fuentes Gallery

David Wojnarowicz, Cal (Factory Face), 1984

The group show is an undeniable part of the New York art world’s summer repertoire, dabbling in different styles and scenes while blending together the works of artists ranging from the young to the historical, emerging to the iconic. Among the early entries into the spring group show calendar is Debris currently on view at James Fuentes Gallery in the Lower East Side. This show is packed with familiar, utilitarian, and recognizable objects, many of which can be easily found in the vibrantly fluid New York urban landscape. (more…)

London – Marlene Dumas: “The Image as Burden” at Tate Modern Through May 10th, 2015

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

Marlene Dumas, The Image as Burden (1993) © Marlene Dumas
Marlene Dumas, The Image as Burden (1993) © Marlene Dumas

Currently on view at Tate Modern is Image as Burden, a retrospective looking at the career of the prolific South African painter Marlene Dumas. Adopting its title from an oil on canvas painting in which a male figure is depicted carrying a female figure, the retrospective, considered the most expansive survey of Dumas’ work in Europe so far, sheds a light on the exceptionally subliminal oeuvre of Dumas, who has, for the most part of her career, maintained a humble profile despite the scholarly and commercial recognition her work has achieved globally. (more…)

Art Institute of Chicago Receives Landmark $400 Million Gift

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

The Art Institute of Chicago has received a major donation of contemporary works this week, totaling 42 works valued at over $400 million, including iconic pieces from Andy Warhol, including an Elizabeth Taylor portrait and Mona Lisa Four Times, as well as several “Film Stills” from Cindy Sherman.  “It’s a powerful statement to have a collection of this international stature staying here in Chicago,” says Robert Levy, chairman of the Art Institute’s board. “It’s unbelievably exciting for the Art Institute, for the City of Chicago, for the entire art community of Chicago. It’s all good.” (more…)

Michael Ovitz Sues for $2.5 Million Over Richard Prince Work

Tuesday, April 21st, 2015

Former Walt Disney President Michael Ovitz has filed a $2.5 Million bad faith breach of contract lawsuit against insurance company American International Group (AIG) and Chartis Property Casualty Co. for allegedly failing to reimburse Ovitz for a lost Richard Prince work.  “While Defendants ultimately acknowledged coverage and full insurance benefits for another loss under almost identical circumstances, Defendants steadfastly, unreasonably, and without probable cause, refused to provide coverage for the loss at issue herein,” and thus represented bad faith, the suit says. (more…)

London – Lee Ufan at Lisson Gallery Through May 9th, 2015

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Lee Ufan, Dialogue-Silence (2013)
Lee Ufan, Dialogue-Silence (2013)

Lisson Gallery is currently presenting a new body of work by Lee Ufan, the influential artist who first gained recognition within the avant-garde art movement Mono-ha (School of Things) during the 1960’s. Considerably less known and understood in the West, Mono-ha emerged in Japan as a response to Eurocentric notions of representational and descriptive art making, focusing instead on the dialogue between nature and material.  Ufan, who started his career as a professor and art critic, stands out as an influential figure from the movement with his visually serene yet intellectually intriguing works, often harmonizing sculpture with works on canvas. (more…)

Documenta Director Wants to Show Full Gurlitt Collection

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Adam Szymczyk, the director for Documenta 14 in Kassel and Athens has stated his interest in exhibited the full collection of works from the Cornelius Gurlitt trove at the exhibition in 2017.  “I am not interested in an exclusive or first spectacular presentation but I would like to show the entire Gurlitt estate in the political and aesthetic context of Documenta 14,” he says.  “Our exhibition provides a unique and timely public platform for such a presentation.”  (more…)

Paintings Stolen from Sam Simon Foundation

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Two paintings, including a classic Roy Lichtenstein held at the Sam Simon Foundation, an organization established by Simpsons co-founder.  The pair of works are valued at $400,000.   (more…)

Cy Twombly Work May Have Sold Privately for $60m

Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

A Cy Twombly blackboard painting may have sold for $60 million in a private sale, Marion Maneker of the Art Market Monitor reports, taking the news from active Twombly collectors.  If confirmed, the price would come close to the record-setting sale of a similar work last year by Nicola Del Roscio, Twombly’s former assistant and head of his foundation. (more…)

Sotheby’s Offering Yellow and Blue Mark Rothko in New York Next Month

Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Sotheby’s will bolster its May 12th Contemporary Evening Auction in New York next month with a brilliant, 1954 Mark Rothko, the New York Times reports.  Untitled (Yellow and Blue), which formerly sat in the collections of both Bunny Mellon and François Pinault, is estimated to achieve between $40 and $60 million. (more…)

London – John Baldessari: “Pictures & Scripts” at Marian Goodman Gallery Through April 25th, 2015

Sunday, April 12th, 2015

John Baldessari_Pictures & Scripts_Marian Goodman Gallery_A glass of water sweetheart, 2015

John Baldessari, Pictures & Scripts: A glass of water sweetheart (2015), all images courtesy Marian Goodman Gallery

On view at both Marian Goodman Gallery, London and Galerie Marian Goodman, Paris are two simultaneous exhibitions by John Baldessari: Pictures & Scripts and Early Work. The London gallery’s Pictures & Scripts show focuses on a series of new works, while the Paris gallery will show a selection of the artist’s important early catalog.

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Lucian Freud Painting to Lead Christie’s Auction, Estimated at $30-$50 Million

Saturday, April 11th, 2015

Next month, Christie’s will lead its May 13th contemporary auction with one of Lucian Freud’s iconic portraits of former postal worker Sue Tilley, which will carry an estimate of $30 million to $50 million.  “This will be a good test of where his market is going,” says dealer James Holland-Hibbert. “It will be interesting to see if this style of painting appeals to the buyers who support these sales. Is Freud still a big enough brand?” (more…)