Politics

How the art industry is grappling with its systemic race inequality

Galleries, fairs and auction houses are issuing solidarity statements and re-evaluating the diversity of their staffs. But "performative wokeness” will not fix the market’s whiteness

Podcastspodcast

Hong Kong: has the new law 'destroyed' the art scene?

Plus, art historian Alyce Mahon on Leonor Fini’s illustrations. Produced in association with Christie's

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Hong Konganalysis

Some artists planning to leave Hong Kong in response to new national security law

Concerns over freedom of expression and self-censorship on the rise after introduction of new rules

Podcastspodcast

The destruction of Australia’s ancient Aboriginal heritage

Plus, art under threat in Putin's Russia and George Shaw on Thomas Jones. Produced in association with Christie's

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speaker Sophia Kishkovsky. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Cubanews

Tania Bruguera reportedly detained by Cuban authorities hours before anti-racism protest in Havana

The artist’s final message posted on social media this morning was “they are taking me”

Brazilnews

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro appoints actor Mário Frias the new secretary of culture, sparking controversy

Frias is the fifth person to hold the role since Bolsonaro dissolved the ministry of culture after his election in 2019

Russianews

Culture crackdown ahead of Putin's referendum

Artist Pyotr Verzilov was sentenced to 15 days in prison for "petty hooliganism" in latest clampdown on the arts in Russia

Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture plagued by delays after top curators quit

Turkey’s national modern art collection, closed off for much of its 80-year existence, will be hard-pressed to open $25m new building this year

Hong Kong artists abroad launch pro-democracy platform as China's security law looms

Online project documents one year of anti-government protests in the territory and aims to rally support from international art community

Protestsgallery

Art for a good cause: artists show their support for Black Lives Matter

Portraits of George Floyd and other victims of police violence and racial injustice raise awareness and funds for activist groups

Chinanews

Will the loss of Hong Kong’s special trade status and stricter oversight from Beijing end its appeal as Asia’s biggest arts hub?

A new draconian law against protests imposed by Beijing and the end of a more open trade agreement with the US has the city’s arts community worried

'Blatant censorship': Polish government issues artists with fines—then withdraws them

Ahead of Poland's ghost election earlier this month, a group of artists carried a 14-metre letter to parliament

Online exhibition calls for release of ‘disappeared’ Bangladeshi photographer Shafiqul Islam Kajol

The photojournalist went missing after publishing an investigation into a Dhaka sex-ring. Discovered in a remote prison, he now faces a possible seven years behind bars

Russia’s culture minister has coronavirus

Appointed in January, Olga Lyubimova is the third Russian government minister to announce a Covid-19 diagnosis in the past week

UK government 'failing' to support its freelancers, leading arts body says

Finance minister Rishi Sunak has attracted criticism for his emergency bailout plan over claims that it discriminates against gig workers

Germany promises financial support to help arts institutions hit by coronavirus

Grütters sees "massive burden" for arts sector as theatres and concert halls close, ticket sales dwindle

Brexitnews

Hundreds of art organisations outraged as UK withdraws from €1.46bn Creative Europe fund

More than 680 cultural figures and institutions sign open letter over decision they believe "threatens an impoverished future for British creativity"

Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara arrested on way to a LGBTQ+ censorship protest

The artist will face a summary trial in ten days while activists say the arrest amounts to "state terrorism"

Polandnews

Right-wing director begins overhaul of Warsaw contemporary art centre

Controversial curator Piotr Bernatowicz has cancelled several 2020 exhibitions and cut funding from progressive art journal at Ujazdowski Castle CCA

Sudancomment

It is time to support Sudan’s artists in their fight for democracy

Freedom of expression was at the forefront of the fight to overthrow Omar al Bashir, now the political cartoonist Khalid Albaih asks the US to keep an eye on its own dictatorial leaders

Chinacomment

Where is the West? Art world should be supporting China during coronavirus crisis

Our beleaguered art colleagues need our help and we must not turn our backs on Chinese art institutions, says Philip Dodd, head of Made in China

Podcastspodcast

Who owns the Parthenon Marbles?

Plus, Shirin Neshat on Trump’s America. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke and Aimee Dawson. Produced by Julia Michalska and David Clack

Leaked draft of EU paper stirs Parthenon Marbles dispute

But the clause is unlikely to refer to the ancient Greek sculptures in the British Museum, expert says

Cabinet reshuffle: Oliver Dowden appointed new UK culture secretary

The Conservative MP for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire replaces Nicky Morgan

US artists and museums join forces to fire up voters

Artists and activists gather in Los Angeles later this month for the first For Freedoms Congress, a three-day event to spur voter engagement

From Bristol to Bermuda: satirical artist Cold War Steve asks public to download and exhibit his work

Exhibition project You, Me & Cold War Steve: the International Exhibition of the People has already been downloaded 3,000 times with scheduled venues across the globe

'An impeachment tomb stone': Jenny Holzer creates work to mark President Donald Trump's trial

The skateboards are produced in a limited marble edition of 25 and a wood edition of 500

Diaryblog

Artist creates black-faced portrait of Italian far-right politician Matteo Salvini

Current bid for re-imagined image of the controversial party leader stands at €45,000 in online auction

Two Iran exhibitions in Germany put on ice amid political tensions

Insurers refused to cover the transport of loans, including salt-mine mummies and Greek and Roman antiquities