Protest

Cubanews

Hunger strike against Cuba's human rights abuses left artist in ‘critical condition’

Activists and artists were trapped in Havana building following demonstrations against police action

Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor and John Akomfrah among artists condemning Thai state violence against democracy protestors

Almost half of the artists participating in the Bangkok Art Biennale opening this week have expressed "support for the struggle for democracy"

Russianews

For Putin’s birthday, Pussy Riot hangs rainbow flags on Moscow’s government buildings

The activist performance artists called their actions “a gift as a symbol of the love and freedom that are lacking” for LGBTQ communities in Russia

Police search for Benin Bronze protestor—found guilty of 'threatening behaviour'

Isaiah Ogundele, who demonstrated outside the Museum of London, Docklands for the objects' repatriation, failed to appear at his court hearing earlier this month

Protestanalysis

Student flash mobs in Thailand target ‘art scene run by elite old men’

Recent demonstrations break a long-held taboo–criticism of the Thai monarchy, an institution which protesters believe is the main obstruction to democracy

Dhakanews

Bangladeshi government officials storm protest performance in Dhaka

Organised by Drik Gallery, the event at Dhaka University aimed to highlight the extrajudicial killing of Bangladeshi civilians by government forces

Belarus art collector Viktor Babariko, rival to President Alexander Lukashenko, jailed before election

Former chairman of Belgazprombank, which owns works by Chagall and Soutine, was arrested in June on charges of laundering $430m but many suspect it was politically motivated

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

Tribal leaders and organisations call for the removal of Mount Rushmore monument

Leaders argue that Trump's plan for a rally there is an "unforgivable affront"

Russianews

Forty protestors detained for defending Russian activist facing prison for posting art with LGBTQ message

Russia's arts community rallying behind Yulia Tsvetkova whose trial starts in July

'Radical black resistance': Dresden exhibition to focus on legendary activist Angela Davis

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, Albertinum show explores impact of her visit to East Germany in 1972

Oxford council says controversial Cecil Rhodes statue should go to museum after long-running stalemate

Thousands of protestors are demanding removal of statue of the Victorian imperialist from Oriel college

Art world workers join protests against injustice in New York—and aim to change racist systems in the culture sphere

Activists working at museums and galleries are bringing the fight for equality from the streets back into institutions

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

Protestcomment

Dread Scott: America God Damn

The multidisciplinary artist and social justice activist reflects on the recent protests in response to the killing of George Floyd and the history of racialised police violence in the US—and how change may finally be underway

Podcastspodcast

Let’s talk about race: museums and the battle against white privilege

Plus, remembering Christo—the art world's wrap star. Produced in association with Christie's

Art world presses pause for #BlackOutTuesday

Mixed reactions for the social media campaign, whereby millions are posting black squares in support for the Black Lives Matter movement—but is it reductive?

Racismcomment

The US has a big racism problem and the art world is not helping

A looted Kaws sculpture and museums' silence reveal a predatory not progressive industry as protests flare following the killing of George Floyd

'Impeach Bolsonaro': artist hangs black cloths on Brazilian Embassy in Paris to protest against president

Julio Villani's banners symbolise his “ongoing determination, revolt and despair” at the Brazilian leader's handling of the coronavirus crisis

Prizesnews

Hong Kong artist's sombre still life with a tear gas canister vase wins Human Rights arts prize

Jeremy Deller judged the sixth edition which is backed by the European Union

Labourinterview

‘You can’t exactly walk a picket line in a pandemic’: New York union leader Maida Rosenstein on the crisis for museum workers

The president of the main museum union talks to us about what the organisation has been doing to secure jobs in the wake of coronavirus

Lawnews

France reconfirms that women baring their breasts in public is illegal—even for artists and protestors

Two women who are part of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen were charged for topless protests, one of which was in a Paris museum

Climate activists take over British Museum in all-night protest against BP sponsorship

Organisers of the three-day action, the group BP or not BP?, called it the "largest protest in the history of the museum"

'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

Art Basel in Hong Kong exhibitors call for 50% discount as concerns mount over a drop off in collectors and freedom of expression

Galleries including Lévy Gorvy, Lisson and Sprüth Magers have expressed their concerns in a letter to the fair organisers

Artists in PS1 Gulf War show urge museum to sever ties with toxic philanthropy

After Michael Rakowitz paused his video, 37 artists have signed an open letter condemning investments by MoMA board members Larry Fink and Leon Black into private prisons, weapons manufacturing and defense firms