Author: Seraphina Calder
Leading figures in the Dutch art world have warned that its cultural life could suffer long-term damage under the potential next government. Last November, veteran anti-immigration MP Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV) won the largest turnout in the country’s general election, and four right-wing parties are now discussing forming a coalition.There are serious concerns about the implications this could have for the country’s cultural standing around the world, the restitution of looted art, arts funding and access for international students and resident artists.Last week, the Association of Dutch Museums warned that although more residents than ever are…
New documentary by Carla Gutiérrez frida would in theory be the right occasion to examine the entirety of Frida Kahlo’s life. It’s getting a big spot at the Sundance Film Festival this week, and it’s being brought there by Amazon Studios, no small distribution company. Such a large canvas should provide a good opportunity to re-examine the famous Mexican artist, whose biography often seems stranger than fiction. But unfortunately, the film tells the same story that has already been told about Kahlo, without adding much new material along the way, except for some kitschy animations of her paintings. His Wikipedia…
Ada Da Silva, a renowned Cuban-born sculptor in modernist art, invites art enthusiasts to an exclusive exhibition titled “Divine Feminine.” Known for skillfully combining dynamic movements of abstract human forms, Ada’s sculptures invoke emotions through intricate and thought-provoking elements. Her belief in the transformative power of art to encapsulate life’s essence is evident in each piece, providing viewers with a window into her emotions, life’s journey, character, and unique aesthetic. Ada Da Silva’s sculptures are a testament to her skills in modernist sculpture. With a keen focus on abstract human forms, she weaves a narrative that resonates with the complexities…
If the latest market debuts have any lessons to teach, it’s that the design community works best together. From Marian McEvoy’s whimsical textiles for Schumacher to Callidus Guild’s painterly Tai Ping rugs, industry brands across all categories are coming together to bring new offerings to designers’ toolkits. Looking for the latest in furniture, decor, lighting and more? Meet the latest dynamic duos in the industry.Marian McEvoy x Schumacher Marian McEvoy x SchumacherWhen former fashion and design editor Marian McEvoy left the glitzy city life for the serenity of New York’s Hudson Valley, she soon immersed herself in other creative endeavors,…
Two works by Egon Schiele were returned on Friday (19 January) to the heirs of Austrian Jewish cabaret performer Fritz Grünbaum, whose art collection the works were allegedly seized by Nazi Germany before he was killed in the Holocaust. Both works were given to Christie’s, the auction house said.A restitution ceremony with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office took place in New York on Friday. The pencil drawing Portrait of a man (1917) had been in the collection of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, while Girl With Black Hair (1911), one of the first watercolors, was made at the…
by Paul Gauguin The Kitten, which has been hidden in a private collection for more than a century, has just gone on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This delightful work was painted while the French artist was staying with Van Gogh at the Yellow House in Arles.by Paul Gauguin Tropical conversation (July-October 1887)Credit: Private collection via Wikimedia CommonsArtistically, this cat (or kitten) faithfully followed Gauguin on his distant travels. It appears for the first time on the Antillean island of Martinique, where the feline is depicted in the foreground Tropical conversation. Apparently, the cat is licking milk…
There’s a saying in the museum world: “There’s always a work in progress.” But for the first time, the industry is entertaining a future where that once-safe job of raising money for an arts institution may not be so safe after all. Although museums need more money than ever, the traditional philanthropic model is no longer what they can rely on. Rising generations aren’t as interested in supporting these institutions as their parents were, and the prospect of declining donations is keeping arts leaders up at night.For more than a century, American museums have been sustained by donors with a…
Zedd is parting ways with the trendy Encino, Calif. residence he bought Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, who were the first residents of the roughly 15,000-square-foot Jae Omar-designed mansion after it was completed in 2019. The Grammy-winning DJ paid him the former couple $15.2 million for the property in September 2021 and are now asking a hair under $19 million for the contemporary-style home.The six-bedroom, 12-bathroom home is the first of two homes designed by EDM producer Omar. Last month, Zedd acquired his second residence from the designer: an $18.4 million mansion, also in Encino. The sale marked the area’s…
Pilar Xercavins, a Barcelona-based artist, has her canvases reflecting a profound journey through the world of creativity. Guided by an intimate connection with various artistic tools, including pencils, charcoals, and chalk, Xercavins’s hands dance gracefully on a blank canvas until her imagination takes form. Her use of natural pigments is a testament to her quest to capture the strength, color, and dynamism inherent in her creative mind. In her own words, Xercavins expresses a unique approach to her craft, experimenting with elements from nature itself. Plants, flowers, and leaves find their way onto her canvases, unveiling the charm and power…
Vera Deans, an artist, stands as a polymath, weaving a vibrant tapestry of creativity across diverse mediums. A qualified fashion designer, mixed-media artist, printmaker, digital artist, and amateur photographer, Deans thrives on experimentation, exploring non-traditional ideas that often manifest as bizarre yet captivating artworks. Her recent endeavor, titled “Divine Feminine,” marks a poignant chapter in her artistic journey. “I am a visual storyteller, guided by a love for colors, textures, and a thirst for knowledge,” Deans shares. Her multifaceted skills encompass collages, digital art, mosaics, polymer clay, resin jewelry, and more. Art, for Deans, is not merely a pursuit but…