Stories

Reginald Sylvester II's work powerfully navigates between sharp figurative portraits and swirling abstract compositions, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and the legacy of slavery. His piece Duality of a Woman captures a complex emotional landscape, juxtaposing a poised figure with a stormy whirlwind of colors and marks. Through both painting and sculpture, Sylvester intertwines raw personal expression with historical reflection, often using materials like twine to symbolize bondage and resilience. Driven by a rigorous, intuitive studio practice, he embraces the tension between control and chance, revealing in his art a quest for faith and liberation amid contemporary struggles. Featured in Phaidon's Prime: Art’s Next Generation, Sylvester represents a vibrant voice in the new wave of artists shaping the cultural moment with deeply immersive and thought-provoking work.

The British designer draws on old, artisanal vocations when creating her beautiful, contemporary clothing

Minimalism, once a radical rejection of ornamentation and artistic heroism, continues to profoundly influence contemporary design and art. Pioneers like Frank Stella, Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Josef Albers, and Richard Serra redefined form and space through their groundbreaking works, from Stella’s iconic needlepoint adaptations to Andre’s contemplative brick arrangements and Judd’s innovative sculptures that challenged traditional canvas constraints. This enduring movement, rooted in simplicity and precision, invites us to see beauty in reduction and offers accessible pathways to engage with minimalist art, whether through prestigious originals or creative DIY multiples.

Minimalism, once a radical rejection of ornamentation and artistic heroism, continues to shape contemporary aesthetics across design and art. Pioneers like Frank Stella, Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Josef Albers, and Richard Serra have left enduring legacies, from Andre’s innovative brick arrangements to Albers’ meticulous “Homage to the Square” series. These minimalist icons challenge traditional forms, with Judd critiquing the limitations of rectangular canvases and Serra exploring monochrome movement in collaboration with Philip Glass. Today, minimalism remains accessible and relevant, from high-profile gallery works to DIY needlepoint kits inspired by Stella’s designs, inviting everyone to engage with the timeless beauty of simplicity.

They’re great to admire, good for the ‘Gram, and sometimes even a fine place to meet a life partner, as our new book shows

American skate champ and trained architect Alexis Sablone finds it easiest to relax when she is in motion

The chef, broadcaster and author of Vegan at Home helped change an entire country's dietary habits. Maybe she can change yours too?

The UK's first three Michelin star chef describes her journey from humble Northern Ireland roots to fine dining in Notting Hill and Sydney, Australia

Some of this architect’s greatest creations are simple spaces for quiet contemplation, as our new book shows

Familiarise yourself with important new talents and celebrate mid-century greats, all via our beautiful new list

You can find authoritative order, wild, naturalistic planting and global horticultural insight in among our new gardening books

Visual art has long been intertwined with the environmental movement, inspired from the inception of Earth Day in 1970 following the iconic Earthrise photo. Over the decades, artists from Banksy’s provocative Greenpeace commission to Rob Pruitt’s playful yet poignant pandas have used their work to spotlight ecological concerns. Deidre Murphy’s scientific collaborations reveal hidden pollutants like light pollution, while Yoko Ono’s reflective piece challenges us to consider our personal relationship with Earth. Shepard Fairey’s urgent call to action and Olafur Eliasson’s innovative solar-powered Little Sun lamps demonstrate how art can both inspire awareness and drive tangible change, proving that creativity remains a vital force in fostering environmental stewardship beyond just a single day on the calendar.

Visual arts have been a vital force in the environmental movement since its inception, sparked by the iconic Earthrise photograph that inspired Earth Day’s creation in 1970. Across decades, artists from Banksy to Yoko Ono have harnessed their creative power to highlight ecological issues, from endangered species and light pollution to climate change and renewable energy. Whether it’s Banksy’s provocative jungle-themed Greenpeace campaign, Rob Pruitt’s playful yet poignant panda works, Deidre Murphy’s striking visualizations of pollution, or Olafur Eliasson’s innovative solar-powered lamps bringing light to off-grid communities, these artworks do more than adorn walls—they challenge us to reflect on our relationship with the planet and inspire action beyond Earth Day’s single moment in time.

Travel the world, learn about shapes, sea creatures and prehistoric beasts, all via our new children’s books

Go full vegan, cut out the gluten, or take a little guidance from a highly acclaimed medical professional, via our health-giving new list

From promising new artists to magisterial career surveys, deep-dive monographs to deeply engaging factoids, our new list has it all

A kids’ taste of the River Cafe, a debut chef’s monograph from a Great British star and distinctly Italianate way to start the day all feature in our new list

Discover how Kahn’s boyhood love of his city shaped far-off urban environments

This star of 20th century architecture placed education, and educational institutions, at the centre of his work, as our new book explains

Leibovitz shot the pregnant star in Paris for the May edition of the magazine

Our new book describes some surprising sympathies held by the secular architect

A visit to a canal barge near Paris shows how we can all find ways to get some playfulness into our lives

Queer love, with all its light, warmth, and intimacy, finds a powerful and tender voice in the work of Israel-born painter Doron Langberg. Now based in New York, Langberg’s art captures intimate moments between loved ones with a sensuality and emotional depth that reflects both personal connection and broader queer experience. Grounded in art history yet vibrantly contemporary, his paintings emerge from close relationships, bringing his subjects to life through a process of observation and layering that balances spontaneity with meticulousness. Celebrated for his unique portrayal of queer intimacy, Langberg’s recent edition, “Oren and Bennet,” exemplifies his signature blend of love and artistry, while his career continues to flourish with major exhibitions, awards, and record-breaking sales. Committed to freedom in expression and supporting community causes like Visual AIDS, Langberg crafts art that invites us all to witness and celebrate the rich, diverse expressions of queer love.

Doron Langberg, an Israel-born painter now based in New York, has emerged as a powerful voice in depicting queer love with warmth, tenderness, and intimacy. Drawing on a deep art historical background and close relationships with his subjects — often friends and loved ones — Langberg’s work captures the nuanced emotions and everyday moments of queer life. His process blends traditional observational painting with vibrant colors and loose brushwork, allowing each piece to radiate sensuality and connection. Langberg’s latest project, the hand-painted Artspace edition "Oren and Bennet," reflects this intimate scale, with each print uniquely finished by the artist. Celebrated for his ability to blend personal connection and universal human experience, Langberg’s paintings have garnered major exhibitions, critical acclaim, and auction success, all while he remains committed to artistic freedom and supporting causes like Visual AIDS, which use art to combat the ongoing impact of HIV/AIDS.

Discover how the Soh family turned their traditional family dwelling into an urban farm and cookery school start-up

From teatime treats to light lunches, The Gluten-Free Cookbook combines modern dietary demands with European classics

Collage, though a relatively young fine art medium, draws on centuries-old traditions from diverse cultures, evolving from early manuscript embellishments and textile pairings to a celebrated modern art form embraced by icons like Picasso and Matisse. Today, artists continue to reinvent collage with fresh perspectives—New York’s Charles Wilkin layers color and texture to mirror our complex, sometimes harsh reality, while Spain’s Marisu Solís blends paint and silk paper in vibrant abstraction. London-based Naomi Vona transforms vintage vinyl covers with playful interventions, and environmental artist Matthew López-Jensen repurposes antique postcards into evocative landscape collages. Brooklyn’s John Andrew poses thought-provoking questions on culture through text-rich works, and Anna Grun channels punk’s rebellious spirit with gritty, politically charged compositions. This eclectic array highlights collage’s enduring power to captivate and challenge, revealing hidden depths beneath the surface of our world.

From dogs to day jobs, our new book illuminates tougher aspects of the arty life

Beef pho and summer rolls are two great choices from The Gluten-Free Cookbook

This main dish and dessert combination are among the highlights in our global survey of gluten-free cuisine

From Leonardo da Vinci’s early insight that the sun remains still while the Earth moves around it, to contemporary artists like Trevor Paglen and Sarah Sze, humanity’s fascination with the cosmos has inspired a rich tapestry of artistic exploration. This curated group show celebrates the celestial muse through diverse media, from Ugo Rondinone’s evocative starry prints to John Stezaker’s cinematic sky collages, and Sam Moyer’s abstract evocations blending painting and sculpture. Both historic and modern perspectives intertwine, as Caroline Corbasson’s delicate renderings of aged astronomical plates meet Adrienne Elise Tarver’s vibrant, tarot-inspired celestial imagery. The exhibition also honors the legacies of artists like Roger Chapelain-Midy and James Rosenquist, whose work reflects the cultural and political gravity of the night sky, while William Binnie’s astronaut figure challenges the myths of space exploration. Together, these works invite us to contemplate the stars not just as distant lights, but as enduring symbols of wonder, mystery, and human aspiration.

From Leonardo da Vinci’s early recognition that the earth orbits the sun to contemporary artists exploring the cosmos through diverse media, celestial bodies have long inspired creative expression. This collection celebrates that enduring fascination, showcasing works that range from Ugo Rondinone’s evocative starry prints capturing the awe of night skies, to John Stezaker’s inventive collages blending Hollywood glamour with cosmic imagery. Artists like Sam Moyer merge abstraction with ancient symbolism, while Caroline Corbasson and Andrea Montano transform archival astronomical plates into textured reflections on the evolution of stargazing. Adrienne Elise Tarver brings an astrological perspective that challenges cultural narratives, and Roger Chapelain-Midy’s timeless starry night paintings bridge classical and modern influences. Meanwhile, James Rosenquist’s Cold War-era Moon Box and William Binnie’s contemplative astronaut piece probe the complex intersections between space exploration and political myth. Together, these works illuminate humanity’s ceaseless wonder with the heavens, inviting us to ponder the mysteries and meanings written in the stars.

The Earth Nest, a newly built family dwelling in Mexico, demonstrates how beauty, ambition and environmental concerns can get along very well

Dance has long been a vital yet often overlooked influence in modern and contemporary art, shaping the work of icons from Warhol to Abramović. Celebrating this dynamic intersection, a captivating group show highlights how choreography informs artists’ exploration of space, movement, and emotion. From Eric Fischl’s tense depiction of coiled readiness to Larry Rivers’ nostalgic homage to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and Marco Bulgarelli’s vibrant street photography, dance permeates diverse artistic expressions. Visionaries like Bruce Nauman blend unexpected elements such as lab rats with ballet, while Salvador Dalí’s lifelong engagement with ballet reveals dance as a timeless creative force. Olafur Eliasson’s roots as a breakdancer fuel his immersive installations, and Alex Katz captures the gestural essence of movement in his paintings, underscoring a shared language between figure and dance. This celebration affirms dance not merely as performance but as a fundamental medium enriching fine art’s vocabulary.

Four surprising sections in Artifacts, our new book of fascinating facts about art, artists and the art world shed light on the artist pupil relationship

Get a world of great food, all without one irritating element, via our Gluten-Free Cookbook

These gluten-free dishes might be small, but they’ll satisfy a big appetite

Danda Jaroljmek, a UK-born, Gambian-raised art enthusiast now based in Kenya, co-founded Circle Art Gallery and Agency in Nairobi to champion East African artists and broaden their global reach. With over 25 years in Kenya’s intimate art community, she blends her background as a sculptor with a deep commitment to showcasing meaningful, sometimes risky contemporary art beyond commercial trends. Jaroljmek’s passion for photography, her love of birds, and her rich cultural upbringing infuse her unique curatorial vision. She views her collection as a thoughtful, minimalist reflection of loyalty and process, favoring small, precious works and abstract art amidst Kenya’s colorful environment. Through Circle, she has fostered vital networks and education, helping redefine African art’s place on the world stage while sharing poignant stories behind cherished pieces—from local icons like Gor Soudan to the emotionally resonant works of Shabu Mwangi and the late Sidney Mang’ong’o. Her life and art collection illuminate a powerful dialogue between personal history, community, and the evolving narratives of contemporary African creativity.

Dislike gluten but like to travel? Then we have a cookbook for you...

Chef and author Christian Broglia goes from New England to New Orleans in search of satisfying, gluten-free recipes

The Seasonal Gardener pairs stand out plants with their ideal partners

Our new book Iro: The Essence of Colour in Japanese Design sheds light on the country’s most popular shades - and the rodent that inspired one of them

The acclaimed chef shares the story behind one of her best loved, and most personal dishes

Our new book Iro: The Essence of Colour in Japanese Design shows how once fashionable colours for courtiers live on in the country's newer designs

Our new book Iro: The Essence of Colour in Japanese Design shows how mother nature inspired acceptable shades for ladies in waiting

Our new book Iro: The Essence of Colour in Japanese Design pins down one of the country’s enduring cultural mysteries

Our new book Iro: The Essence of Colour in Japanese Design describes how a paler colour found a place in the country’s cultural spectrum

From found footage to dime-store photo booth portraits, the artist’s vintage online finds have freed her to create arbitrary and occasionally surrealist installations

Though the artist’s canvases reference Duchamp and German romanticism, racial politics are never far below the surface

Here’s how a century-old avant-garde movement informed Simpson’s iconic images

Barbara Kruger’s art deftly merges bold text and striking imagery to challenge consumer culture and societal norms, transforming familiar advertising language into powerful statements that provoke thought and dialogue. Emerging from her background in design, Kruger became a defining American artist of the 1980s, known for her large-scale, red-white-and-black works that blur the boundaries between art, advertising, and activism. Her iconic piece, Untitled (I Shop Therefore I Am), cleverly critiques consumerism by riffing on Descartes’ famous philosophical assertion, illustrating how identity is often shaped by materialism. Nearly four decades later, Kruger’s work continues to evolve and resonate, as seen in her recent LACMA exhibition where her signature phrases are reimagined in animated form, highlighting the fluidity and enduring relevance of her vision in a fragmented, media-saturated world.

Artspace’s Artist Direct program offers a unique window into the creative worlds of artists by connecting collectors directly with their studios, bypassing traditional galleries. Highlighted works include Richard Leo Johnson’s haunting 1979 photograph of a Southern police waiting room, rescued from near loss after a devastating fire forced his temporary shift to music; Drew Doggett’s stunning drone-captured images of feral horses on Nova Scotia’s Sable Island; and Marisu Solís’s vibrant, semi-abstract acrylics inspired by post-Franco Spain’s cultural renaissance. Also featured are Carlos Bruscianelli’s hyperrealist still lifes echoing mid-century photorealism, and Misato Suzuki’s neo-pointillist paintings blending organic forms with playful figures. Each piece tells its own story, inviting collectors to discover art that’s as rich in history and inspiration as it is visually striking.

When the artist engaged with American abstract art she did not leave race relations out of the picture

No visitors were allowed into the gallery while Pivi’s big cat prowled, which is why this unapproachable work leaves us hungry for more

Zebras, horses, an alligator and fish have all found their way into her work

In paying tribute to the artists of pre-war Europe, Ringgold also asserted her own creative freedoms

The US artist’s enigmatic images and captions aren’t easy to respond to or reconcile

Yayoi Kusama has transformed the humble dot into a powerful and versatile visual language, crafting mesmerizing works that range from two-dimensional patterns to immersive, infinite mirrored rooms. Known for her mastery of color and repetition, Kusama’s art creates dazzling optical effects that draw viewers into endlessly unfolding spaces, blending the simplicity of the dot with profound concepts of infinity and self-reflection. Her iconic infinity rooms, beginning in the 1960s and evolving through installations like The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, envelop audiences in shimmering, multisensory environments where light, color, and reflection converge to evoke a sense of boundless space and introspection. Despite her reclusive life, Kusama’s unique vision continues to captivate global audiences, offering an experience of eternal love, humanity, and peace through the most elemental of artistic forms.

The Magnum Gallery’s new Paris location launched with a compelling exhibition titled "Bruce Davidson and Khalik Allah: NEW YORK," juxtaposing Davidson’s 1960s Harlem photographs with Allah’s contemporary images of the same neighborhood, illustrating Magnum’s vision of bridging past and present. Under the direction of Samantha McCoy, scion of an artistic dynasty, Magnum continues to spotlight iconic photographers like Robert Capa, Susan Meiselas, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, while elevating emerging talents such as Alec Soth and Sim Chi Yin. McCoy shares her personal favorites from the Magnum archive, highlighting the timelessness and emotional depth captured by legends such as Bruce Davidson, Eve Arnold, Herbert List, Khalik Allah, and Matt Black. Their works resonate with vibrant humanity, history, and the complex social fabric of America, capturing intimate moments and powerful narratives through striking, evocative imagery.

Doron Langberg’s artistic journey, sparked by a childhood encounter with a Lucian Freud exhibition, has blossomed into a dynamic force in contemporary figurative painting. Born in Israel and now based in New York, Langberg blends influences from masters like Van Gogh, Bonnard, and Vuillard with a bold commitment to humanizing queer experience. His work challenges traditional gallery norms by depicting queer life with intimate, everyday honesty, seeking to make queerness feel casual rather than sensational. Celebrated by top art institutions and critics and recently achieving a record auction price, Langberg stands at the forefront of a new wave of artists redefining both representation and emotional connection in art.

We trace the development of the painter’s 1967 work, via Picasso, MoMA and the Civil Rights Movement

Our new book explains how Pivi’s exotic sculptures capture our love of, but our alienation from, the natural world

There's a fair amount of realism within the artist’s surrealist visions, as our new book reveals

Ross Craig, a Californian artist and artisan with a rich family heritage in photography, creates meticulously composed still life photographs that blend influences from the Spanish Baroque, Northern Renaissance, Bay Area figurative art, and contemporary culture. Inspired by an article on Leica cameras and fueled by his background as a furniture and cabinet maker, Ross builds elaborate sets from found objects, thrift store finds, and recycled materials to craft images that echo the Old Masters while engaging with modern themes. His work references artists like Juan Sánchez Cotán and Paul Wonner, incorporating elements such as books, skulls, and symbolic objects to evoke deeper meanings with a touch of humor. Selling his art directly through platforms like Artspace, Ross values the connection formed when collectors embrace his pieces, appreciating that shared sensibility and detailed craftsmanship bring his still lifes vividly to life.

The Slovenian-born designer, featured in Woman Made, describes her studio Soft Baroque’s work as ‘future practical’, using elements that hint at how objects might serve a new purpose in the future

To Mark International Women's Day we put the spotlight on a New York based design group featured in our book, Woman Made

In The Seasonal Gardener Anna Pavord explains how to bring flowers into autumn - side by side

In The Seasonal Gardener, Anna Pavord suggests we rethink this familiar shrub

In The Seasonal Gardener Anna Pavord guides gardeners through spring’s explosion, as well as later summer blooms

In the seasonal gardener, Anna Pavord recommends this long-flowering shrub as one of her stars of summer

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) presents "Pipilotti Rist: Big Heartedness, Be My Neighbor," the first major West Coast survey of the celebrated Swiss artist’s career, spanning from her early video works to immersive installations and digital sculptures. Central to the exhibition is the breathtaking 2016 installation *Pixel Forest Transformer*, featuring 3,000 LED lights that transform the gallery into a vibrant, shimmering ecosystem of color and movement, inviting visitors to physically step inside a living, breathing image. Rist’s work challenges traditional notions of video art by blending technology, sensory immersion, and human connection, offering a warm, communal experience that contrasts with the isolating nature of virtual reality. This carbon-neutral show reimagines the museum as a shared, open space, where art becomes a joyful, multisensory journey that bridges technology and emotional resonance, celebrating the enduring power of collective artistic experience.

The 3 star chef turns the peculiarly British eccentricity jellied eels into a thoroughly modern delicacy

Ukraine has long been a vibrant cradle of Eastern-Slavic culture, with its artists making significant marks across modern and contemporary art. From Louise Nevelson’s monumental, fragmented sculptures and delicate aquatints to Sonia Delaunay’s rhythmic, colorful abstractions blending geometry with movement, Ukrainian-born artists have shaped diverse art movements. Photographer Boris Mikhailov captured the duality of the Soviet and post-Soviet experience with haunting, dreamlike images, while contemporary talents like Yuliya Golovina bring fresh, expressive energy to the scene with bold acrylic works. Alexander Chekmenev’s poignant documentary photos chronicle the struggles and resilience of rural Ukraine during a critical national transition, offering a glimpse into the country’s enduring spirit through artistry that resonates far beyond its borders.

Spelt may be a centuries old cereal, but the the chef gets hers from a very modern source - the founder of fashion brand Mulberry

A chance encounter at one of France’s great culinary establishments taught the chef an important lesson about giving, as she explains in her new book

The hugely talented British chef understands that gastronomic excellence is a team sport

Whether in a sizzling pan or nourishing your body, Dr Gary Deng knows that not all oils are the same

Dr Gary Deng has some advice on your exercise routine, as well as a pretty good office lunch choice

Dr Gary Deng argues that a healthy plant-based diet can still include a little meat - and this is how much...

Dr Gary Deng says it’s not just what you eat, but also how much and when, that affects your overall health

Christopher LaGuardia, founder of LaGuardia Design Group, has spent over thirty years transforming the delicate landscapes of New York’s Hamptons into stunning natural havens, blending art, architecture, and environmental sensitivity. His new monograph, *Contemporary Gardens of the Hamptons: LaGuardia Design Group 1990-2020*, showcases his thoughtful designs that harmonize with the region's woods, meadows, and storm-battered shorelines. Beyond landscape architecture, LaGuardia expresses a deep connection to contemporary art, highlighting works by artists like April Gornik, Joel Shapiro, Sophie Bocher, and Ezra Stoller that inspire him with their vivid portrayals of nature, abstraction, and architectural elegance. These pieces reflect his passion for craftsmanship, light, and space, mirroring the poetic qualities he brings to his outdoor creations and imagined interiors alike.

Camille Henrot’s art deeply explores the intersections of family, politics, and community, revealing how early childhood experiences shape our responses to power and authority throughout life. Recently showcased at Hauser & Wirth’s impressive booth at Frieze LA, Henrot presented new works from her series System of Attachment, Wet Job, and Dos and Don’ts, marking her first project with the gallery since joining last fall. Drawing inspiration from literature, social media, self-help culture, and everyday life, her practice spans film, painting, sculpture, and installation, challenging what it means to be both a private individual and a global citizen in a hyperconnected world. Celebrated by Frieze as one of today’s most influential and provocative artists, Henrot’s edition Mother Tongue supports MOCA’s programming, inviting audiences to engage with her thoughtful exploration of identity and connection.

Henri Matisse’s 1911 masterpiece, *L’Atelier Rouge* (The Red Studio), is a vivid, bold exploration of color and space that transforms an ordinary studio into a mesmerizing, almost surreal environment. Painted in an aggressive, flat red, the work defies conventional perspective, featuring objects outlined not by lines but by negative space, with an enigmatic, handless clock anchoring the scene. Originally overlooked, this iconic piece—now celebrated as a turning point in modern art—presents Matisse’s own works within the studio walls, inviting viewers into a visionary world where reality blends with imagination. This landmark painting, hailed for its innovative approach, will be at MoMA from May 1 to September 10, alongside the smaller artworks it depicts, offering a rare chance to experience the artist’s radical vision in full.

Phaidon’s latest release, *Prime: Art's Next Generation*, spotlights 107 of the most exciting contemporary artists under 40, chosen by a distinguished panel of curators and critics from around the world. Building on the legacy of the 1998 *Cream* series, this collection features acclaimed talents like Rachel Rose, Tschabalala Self, and Christina Quarles alongside emerging voices such as Cambodian sculptor Tith Kanitha and UK sensation Samara Scott. Through vivid imagery and insightful commentary, the book reveals artists who are shaping today’s cultural landscape with groundbreaking work that spans painting, sculpture, virtual reality, and more. *Prime* is an essential guide for anyone passionate about contemporary art and eager to discover the visionary creators defining our moment.

'I have an intimate relationship with this one. When I decided to make it as a woodcut, it felt like I was on a new journey with an old friend' he tells Phaidon.com

Nicolas Party, a Swiss-born contemporary artist known for his vibrant pastels and hyper-real yet illusionary landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, bridges classical art traditions with the digital age. His work, deeply influenced by his graffiti roots and digital design background, features bold colors and graphic compositions that reflect the modern world we inhabit. Celebrated for his intimate portraits inspired by classical Greek sculpture and admired figures like Paul Cézanne and David Hockney, Party pushes boundaries by integrating architectural elements into his exhibitions. Recently, he explored the intensity of woodcut printing with a striking black-and-white edition, revealing a meditative appreciation for traditional techniques. Through his evolving practice, Party invites us to reconsider how we see, blending historical art forms with contemporary visual culture in a uniquely captivating way.

Francis Bacon's art occupies a unique space between figurative expression and Surrealism, marked by disjointed yet deeply visceral depictions of the human form. The Royal Academy’s exhibition, Francis Bacon: Man and Beast, delves into his fascination with animal forms, revealing how his studies of wildlife and movement influenced his portrayal of humanity’s raw, primal nature. Spanning his entire career, the show features rarely seen works including his iconic Head VI, a haunting reinterpretation of a Velázquez portrait infused with the chilling scream inspired by the silent film Battleship Potemkin. Bacon’s mastery is evident in the tension between vibrant textures and stark negative space, trapping his anguished subjects within suffocating geometric frames. This exhibition not only traces the evolution of Bacon’s brutal, unforgettable vision but also reaffirms his status as a master who confronts the extremes of existence with uncompromising power.

Born in pre-revolutionary Cuba, this Great Woman Artist painted in Paris and New York before finding recognition at the age of 89. Here we pay tribute and republish a Phaidon.com interview with her

Phaidon's latest art book releases celebrate a dynamic new generation of contemporary artists and provide deep dives into the careers of standout creators shaping today's cultural landscape. From the vibrant, color-saturated paintings of Swiss-born Nicolas Party to the poetic installations of Ugo Rondinone, these beautifully illustrated volumes offer rare insights into diverse practices across painting, sculpture, performance, and beyond. Highlights include Faith Ringgold’s powerful survey of civil rights-era America, David Byrne’s quirky pandemic-inspired drawings, and Jean Jullien’s witty reflections on everyday life. Also featured are Francis Alÿs’s socially charged projects and Paola Pivi’s surreal interventions that disrupt expectations. For art lovers eager to explore fresh perspectives and established voices alike, Phaidon’s new season of books is an essential, engaging journey through contemporary creativity.

Faith Ringgold’s powerful 1967 painting, *American People Series #20: Die*, stands as a striking response to the racial turmoil of the 1960s, channeling the influence of Picasso’s *Guernica* to protest and memorialize violence with careful composition and symbolic clarity. Created amid a backdrop of civil rights struggles, bombings, and uprisings, Ringgold’s work uses “Super Realism” to depict a spontaneous urban riot that transcends individual identity, speaking broadly to the fractured state of America while hinting at hope through the unifying image of children clutching one another. Celebrated for its impactful social commentary and artistic innovation, *Die* now holds a revered place at the Museum of Modern Art, continuing to captivate and move visitors with its urgent call for recognition, representation, and reform.

David Byrne's new exhibition, "How I Learned About Non-Rational Logic," explores a unique mode of thinking that blends logic with irrationality, reflecting his multifaceted career as a musician, artist, and writer. Featuring his intriguing tree drawings like "Human Content," which map connections in a surreal, dreamlike logic, the show also includes his "dingbat" series created during the COVID-19 pandemic—works that channel boredom, anxiety, and hope with whimsical, fantastical imagery. Byrne invites viewers to discover hidden connections in these pieces, offering an imaginative lens on reality that is both familiar and mysteriously new.

This vegetable tagine is a tasty, comforting and eye-catching centrepiece dish, suitable for vegans and nonvegans alike

On a visit to Japan the artist truly realised the power of internationally recognised imagery

Read why Mette and Rolf Hay, the founders of one of Scandinavia’s foremost home design brands, bring to mind an earlier, 20th century design couple

From Filippo Tommaso Marinetti’s 1909 Manifesto of Futurism, where he glorified the automobile as the shining emblem of modernity, to contemporary reflections on the complex role cars play in our lives, this article explores how the automobile has fueled artistic imagination across the 20th and 21st centuries. It highlights six striking artworks that portray cars as symbols of freedom, conformity, ideological clash, and environmental reckoning. From Robert Bechtle’s sterile photorealistic scenes of suburban America, to Liz Cohen’s provocative, hybrid “cut ‘n’ shut” car merging Cold War tensions, and John Divola’s haunting desert chase, these works reveal automobiles as both protective shells and isolating cages. The article closes with Hiroji Kubota’s photo of Carhenge, a scrapyard monument that questions our legacy of speed and consumption, urging us to reconsider the price we pay for our love of the road.

The Gluten Free Cookbook packs in the taste while cutting out a certain protein, particularly in its breakfast recipes

Take a look at our new collection of art, artist and art world facts before you head to the museum

Greek and Roman myths have long shaped Western art and culture, their ancient tales continuing to resonate in surprising contemporary ways. This article explores five contemporary artworks that draw upon classical mythology to engage with urgent modern themes like religious fundamentalism, masculinity, colonial legacies, and the tension between romantic ideals and harsh realities. From Andres Serrano’s provocative reimagining of pagan gods in a challenging medium, to Vik Muniz’s playful yet unsettling Medusa pasta dish, Sean Landers’ Americanized Minotaur reflecting on indigenous history, Raymond Pettibon’s homoerotic take on Achilles as a 1950s pin-up, and Lydia Blakely’s satirical portrayal of everyday confrontations as mock-heroic Hercules battles, these pieces reveal that myth remains a vibrant, living force—both deeply human and strikingly relevant to our times.

The groundbreaking KAWS exhibition at London’s Serpentine Gallery, titled *New Fiction*, is poised to become the most visited art show in history by merging physical and digital realms. Created in collaboration with Fortnite and the Acute Art app, the exhibit offers an immersive multilayered experience: a traditional gallery display, local and global augmented reality, and an interactive game environment. Curated by Daniel Birnbaum, the show redefines pop art for a globalized, digital age by allowing audiences worldwide to explore the Serpentine’s recreated spaces virtually, whether from their homes or through gaming. KAWS, known for his transformative street art origins, embraces this innovative approach not as a gimmick but as a genuine extension of his work, inviting diverse audiences—from gamers to art lovers—to experience and interact with art in unprecedented ways. This fusion of classic and cutting-edge highlights how contemporary art is evolving alongside technology, creating a truly inclusive and expansive cultural moment.

David Byrne, renowned for his multidisciplinary artistic practice since the 1970s and as the founder of Talking Heads, revisits the art of drawing amid the pandemic, channeling lockdown reflections into a unique series of “dingbats”—small, expressive doodles originally intended as simple page ornaments. These drawings transcended their initial purpose, evolving into evocative explorations of human connection, communication, and the complexities of life during COVID-19. His new book, *A History of the World (in Dingbats)*, gathers these works, accompanied by a limited edition print titled *Reading Each Other* that delves into the nuanced, often imperfect ways we interpret each other beyond words, especially in a digitally fragmented era. This collection, signed and numbered, celebrates Byrne’s continuous artistic innovation and invites us to reconsider how we read and relate to one another in uncertain times.

Samara Scott’s work, featured in the New Museum's 2021 Triennial *Soft Water Hard Stone*, is a mesmerizing exploration of consumer waste and organic materials transformed into vibrant, viscous abstractions. Blending everyday substances like fabric softener, nail polish, and cigarette butts, Scott creates dynamic assemblages that pulse with life and tension, challenging notions of beauty and consumption. Her process is as fluid and unpredictable as the materials she employs, working across multiple surfaces and scales to produce images that feel both painterly and photographic—stained memories suspended in space. Drawing inspiration from the chaos of global production, her work captures a haunting yet seductive alchemy, evoking a world of both decay and possibility. The limited edition print *Gargoyle, 2021* offers a tangible piece of this immersive practice, embodying the artist’s spirited approach to transformation, loss, and renewal.

Water is more than just a life-giving resource; it embodies both purity and peril, inspiring artists across history to explore its complex duality. From Ruth Proctor’s playful performance of a bowler hat dancing on a jet of water to Ed Ruscha’s enigmatic trio of objects symbolizing air, fire, and water, contemporary art captures water’s fluidity, mystery, and power. Ron Weis’s miniature waterfall painting evokes the sublime tension between nature’s grandeur and human consumption, while Eric Fischl’s haunting depiction of a boy immersed in blue water probes subconscious realms of identity and transformation. Sasha Bezzubov’s stark Arctic photograph confronts us with the climate crisis, revealing a world where ice has melted into dark seas, and Zhou Hongbin’s whimsical underwater rabbits remind us of humanity’s deep, evolutionary connection to water. Together, these works reflect water’s role as a force of wonder, threat, and profound ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate our intimate and evolving relationship with this essential element.

Art collections are dynamic reflections of personal taste and the times, as revealed through intimate conversations with artists, designers, and collectors. From architect John Pawson’s early acquisitions shaped by family influence, to interior designer Shawn Henderson’s thoughtful integration of art into living spaces, each collector shares unique insights. Photographer Cig Harvey encourages mixing styles freely, while patron Valeria Napoleone highlights art’s playful provocations. Musician Adam Clayton emphasizes the importance of respecting precious works, and critic Barry Schwabsky celebrates the value of children’s art alongside masters. Gallerist Pilar Corrias points to contemporary art’s role in grappling with identity and the uncertain future. Collectively, these voices inspire a richer, more personal approach to building and living with art.

This year has been marked by profound generosity and resilience in the art world, where artists and leaders alike have embraced giving as a powerful force for change. Christina Quarles found liberation in her creative breakthrough, while MOCA’s Klaus Biesenbach reflects on art’s role in political and social activism. Liz Hopfan underscores the transformative power of creativity in youth education, especially during challenging times. Glennda Testone highlights newfound initiatives supporting LGBTQ communities, and Jim Hodges honors personal legacies through charitable collaboration. Lisa Yuskavage poignantly remembers acts of love and compassion during the AIDS crisis, illustrating how art and humanity intertwine in moments both intimate and impactful. Together, these stories remind us that art’s greatest gift is its ability to inspire connection, hope, and healing.

2021 brought a cautious return to galleries, museums, and art events, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid ongoing uncertainty. Reflecting on a year marked by artistic revelations and poignant stories, this engaging quiz revisits standout moments—from Jim Hodges’ unique limited edition piece and Valeria Napoleone’s surprising art anecdotes to powerful reflections by artists like Cecily Brown and Celeste Dupuy-Spencer. Discover insights from celebrated architects, collectors, and filmmakers, explore the inspiration behind iconic works, and celebrate the creative spirit that persisted through challenging times. Ready to test your memory and dive into the art world’s defining moments of 2021?

Lubaina Himid’s theatrical exhibition at Tate Modern invites viewers into richly layered worlds where history, memory, and identity intertwine. Through paintings, installations, and life-sized figures, Himid explores complex narratives rooted in migration, loss, and the enduring impact of colonial violence. Central to the show is her haunting series inspired by the French slave ship Le Rodeur, where ordinary domestic scenes are shadowed by the weight of past atrocities and the ever-present sea—a symbol of trauma and survival. With striking use of color, pattern, and spatial tension, Himid’s work probes how historical trauma continues to resonate in the present, challenging us to confront the unseen legacies woven into modern life and spaces.

Ferren Gipson, a passionate advocate for art-history degrees, has created *The Ultimate Art Museum*, a captivating book designed to bring the world’s greatest artworks to children aged eight to 14. With 18 galleries and 129 rooms, this imaginative museum journey spans from ancient cave paintings to contemporary installations, featuring interactive elements like puzzles and color-coded maps to engage young visitors. Drawing inspiration from her own childhood museum experiences and famous institutions like The Met and The Louvre, Gipson crafts an inclusive space showcasing diverse artists—including many women—across cultures and time. Through her work, she encourages children and parents alike to explore art openly, sharing thoughts and emotions without fear of “wrong” opinions. This unique museum experience offers an inspiring, accessible way to discover art’s rich and varied history from the comfort of home.

Lawrence Weiner, a pioneering American Conceptual artist who passed away at 79, revolutionized art with his radical approach that emphasized process, language, and the fluid relationship between artist and audience. Beginning with his explosive Cratering Pieces in 1960, Weiner challenged traditional notions of creation and ownership by making art that existed as events or ideas rather than physical objects. His 1968 Declaration of Intent further dismantled the conventional art object, empowering the “receiver” to realize the work in their imagination. Throughout his career, Weiner employed language as a sculptural material, crafting text-based works that provoke thought on existence, perception, and time—from stenciled statements in public spaces to reflective, enigmatic pieces like *I am not something I am someone* and *UNDER GROUND*. His art demands intellectual engagement and personal reflection, inviting viewers to continually reinterpret meaning in a language as robust and flexible as marble and clay, ultimately capturing the ephemeral nature of life and art itself.

Barry Schwabsky, renowned critic, editor, and poet, embodies a rare blend of intellectual rigor and passionate engagement with contemporary art. His influential teaching career spans prestigious institutions like Yale and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, while his writings have enriched major art publications and Phaidon titles. Schwabsky’s deep appreciation for art began with childhood encounters like Van Gogh’s sunflowers and matured during formative museum visits where Rothko became a favorite. His personal collection reflects this journey, featuring works by friends and influential artists such as Cora Cohen, Suzanne McClelland, and Rafael Vega, alongside treasured pieces like a self-portrait by his daughter. Notably, Schwabsky has actively challenged institutional decisions in the art world, exemplified by his 2020 open letter defending Philip Guston’s controversial exhibition. Beyond the walls of galleries, he even finds artistry in everyday objects—like a Karim Rashid-designed wastebasket—highlighting his embracing view that art need not be perfect, just compelling.

Australian-born, Sweden-based artist Tillie Burden transforms glass into enigmatic, surreal sculptures that challenge perceptions of this traditionally transparent material. Drawing inspiration from surrealists like René Magritte and symbolists such as Meret Oppenheim, Burden infuses everyday objects with layered psychological meaning and playful twists, crafting pieces that are both bold and contemplative. Her meticulous process combines hot glassblowing techniques with thoughtful planning, resulting in works that invite viewers to reconsider the familiar through unexpected forms, from cake topped with a cigarette to a banana in a slinky condom. With a background spanning Australia and Europe, Burden’s dynamic and tactile approach to glassmaking showcases both technical mastery and imaginative storytelling, bringing a fresh perspective to the craft.

Monica Nelson, a celebrated book designer and art director with a passion for both art and nature, brings these worlds together in her new book, *Edible Flowers*. This captivating work explores the cultural history, uses, and beauty of edible flowers through stunning original photography, simple recipes, and insightful essays by chefs, artists, and writers. Alongside her creative endeavors—including collaborations with renowned photographers and artists—Nelson shares a curated selection of artworks that inspire her, from poetic still lifes and evocative assemblages to intimate, deeply personal images, revealing how her love for the natural world profoundly shapes her artistic vision and personal tastes.

Swiss painter Nicolas Party made history at Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale by setting a new auction record with his pastel on linen work, *Landscape*, which sold for an impressive $3,270,000—more than doubling his previous high. The sale, part of the *Unquestioning Love* auction benefiting the New York City AIDS Memorial, also featured stellar performances from artists like Rashid Johnson and Dana Schutz, driving the total sales to over $219 million. Party’s *Landscape* captures his signature blend of bold colors and fantastical yet grounded imagery, embodying a longing for paradise with playful precision. Beyond breaking records, the proceeds from Party’s sale will help preserve the NYC AIDS Memorial and fund its vibrant cultural and educational programs, honoring the legacy of artists lost to AIDS and supporting the community’s future.

Embrace the timeless wisdom of William Morris this holiday season by choosing gifts that are both beautiful and useful, elevating your festive table with artful design and thoughtful craftsmanship. From Diesel Living’s Cosmic Diner porcelain plates evoking the mysteries of space, to the playful and surreal coffee sets by Seletti and Toiletpaper, there’s a perfect piece for every aesthetic. Celebrate the influential spirit of the 80s with Limoges porcelain plates featuring iconic art by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, or honor feminism with Judy Chicago’s Goddess Trio, capturing powerful female motifs in exquisite collectibles. For lovers of innovative design, Frank Gehry’s bone china rock tumblers, crafted in collaboration with Tiffany & Co., offer sculptural elegance and a touch of architectural flair. These carefully curated gifts blend function with creativity, making every holiday gathering a celebration of art, beauty, and purpose.

Artists have long blurred the lines between fine art and functional party objects, turning everyday items into playful statements. From Daniel Allen Cohen’s clever tequila and mezcal coasters that mimic the periodic table of elements, to Nir Hod’s velvet-backed acrylic coasters evoking edgy nightlife textures, these artful gifts inject contemporary cool into any gathering. Adrian Olabuenga’s limited-edition MoCA snowdome offers a glittering twist on a classic festive icon, while Zvezdin’s Workshop captivates with hand-painted porcelain candlesticks inspired by the Garden of Eden and crafted through meticulous traditional techniques. For design aficionados, Andrea Branzi’s rare 15-piece GIOTTO tea set embodies the spirit of Italian Radical Architecture, combining history and craft in an exquisite collectible. These curated pieces elevate the art of entertaining, making every sip and candlelit moment a celebration of creativity.

Discover the joy of playful love this holiday season with a curated selection of artist-inspired gifts that celebrate creativity and connection. From the intricate Jean-Michel Basquiat puzzle challenging you with his iconic 1983 artwork, to Yoshitomo Nara’s whimsical drumming girl figurines rich in Japanese pop culture, these pieces invite you to embrace fun and imagination. Explore Mickalene Thomas’s vibrant Le Déjeuner puzzle reimagining female portraiture, Catherine Opie’s provocative Dyke Deck that humorously redefines a classic card set, and KAWS’s beloved Sesame Street character Elmo in a distinctive designer plush. Plus, add a bold splash of color to your game nights with Nina Chanel Abney’s artistic UNO deck. These unique gifts blend art and playfulness, perfect for sparking joy and creativity with loved ones all season long.

Socializing and fine art have long intertwined, from Andy Warhol’s belief that “everybody should like everybody” to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s legendary New York loft gatherings. Today, artists like Rirkrit Tiravanija and Tino Sehgal redefine this blend through immersive social art experiences. This holiday season, Artspace offers a curated selection of exquisite gifts that bring this spirit into the home—luxurious lambswool blankets by Brian Calvin, velour rugs by Patrick Church, striking cushions by Mickalene Thomas, handcrafted wooden armchairs from Odami, and boldly graphic pieces from Barbara Kruger. Each item not only transforms living spaces into contemporary, artful social hubs but also carries the authenticity and narrative of its renowned creator, making them perfect presents for the art lover eager to celebrate the season with style and meaning.

As the festive season approaches, why not channel a touch of Roaring Twenties glamour with Artspace’s curated gift guide celebrating artful adornment? From a neo-expressionist trench coat featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat’s vivid artwork to Iris Apfel’s bold owl pin—a nod to the iconic centenarian style legend—each piece tells a unique story. Julio le Parc’s dynamic green pendant captures light and movement with geometric precision, while the surreal Toiletpaper mirror adds a splash of eccentric whimsy to any space. Alexandra Grant’s elegant 18k gold necklace spells out love in shimmering script, supporting artists through her foundation, and Genevieve Flynn’s handcrafted silver ginkgo leaf earrings blend exquisite nature-inspired artistry with timeless craftsmanship. These distinctive gifts turn everyday objects into wearable art and statement decor, perfect for those who cherish creativity, history, and style this holiday season.

Sarah Sze’s work intricately explores our relationships with everyday objects, creating installations that blur the line between present-day art and remnants of civilization. Known for her nuanced and introspective creations, Sze contributed her 2021 painting *Fast Forward* to the *Unquestioning Love* auction benefiting the New York City AIDS Memorial. Reflecting on the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis and its ongoing global significance, she emphasizes art’s power to preserve memory and inspire justice. Having visited the memorial, located near the historic St. Vincent’s Hospital, she speaks to the importance of remembering both past and present struggles through public space. Influenced by poets like Paul Monette and Emily Dickinson, and inspired by artists such as Félix González-Torres, Sze’s work and words honor the deep resonance of loss, activism, and resilience within the artistic community and beyond.

Elmgreen & Dragset powerfully confront the legacy of the AIDS crisis through their evocative artwork, notably their 2015 piece Side Effects, No. 14, which features delicate glass jars filled with pastel pigments used in modern HIV medications. These seemingly innocent colors belie the serious and toxic nature of the pills, symbolizing the complex realities of living with the disease. Their work is part of a broader commitment to remembering the impact of AIDS, from art installations to memorials, highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and compassion. Donating to the Unquestioning Love sale at Christie’s, Elmgreen & Dragset emphasize the importance of honoring those lost to this epidemic and the continuing fight for access to life-saving treatments, reflecting a poignant blend of personal experience and social activism.

Remastered is an online auction celebrating contemporary artists who reinterpret the timeless brilliance of the Old Masters, blending tradition with fresh, modern perspectives. Featuring works by Tracey Emin, Vik Muniz, Shepard Fairey, Ai Weiwei, and more, the collection explores themes of figuration, portraiture, light, and perspective through diverse media. From Kiki Smith’s visceral study of the human form echoing Renaissance anatomical realism, to John Reuss’ textured contrasts channeling existential depth, and Lawrence Valenza’s ethereal, panel-hinged paintings reminiscent of 15th-century techniques, each piece bridges past and present. Virgil Abloh reimagines Leonardo’s iconic Mona Lisa with contemporary light and steel, while Brian Bress’s video art challenges the role of the artist and the canvas itself. This auction invites us to appreciate the enduring mysteries of creativity and the evolving dialogue between history and innovation.

Cosimo Cavallaro is a visionary artist and filmmaker known for his provocative and tactile works created from perishable materials like cheese, ham, and chocolate. Drawing on his Italian heritage and childhood memories tied to food, he transforms everyday edible items into immersive art experiences that explore themes of identity, time, and the ephemeral nature of life. From covering hotel rooms in melted cheese to constructing a cheese wall near the US-Mexico border as social commentary, Cavallaro challenges perceptions and invites audiences to engage with art beyond the visual, evoking both playfulness and reflection. His work has sparked conversation internationally and is now accessible to art lovers through bronze-cast sculptures inspired by his cheese creations, blending the transient with the eternal.

Lewis Miller, a renowned floral designer known for his vibrant outdoor installations, gained widespread acclaim with his spontaneous "Flower Flash" at the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park during the 2016 presidential election. Since then, Miller has created over ninety of these bold, imaginative floral surprises, blending unexpected flowers in playful, larger-than-life displays that bring joy to New Yorkers and flower enthusiasts alike. While celebrated for his public art, Miller remains deeply connected to interior floral design, treating art and environment design as intertwined disciplines. Influenced by Flemish painters, Rothko, and Picasso, his work embodies a vibrant, dynamic energy, mixing color, texture, and space with a keen eye for harmony and statement pieces. In this reflective interview accompanying the release of his new book, *Flower Flash*, and his debut limited-edition print, Miller shares his artistic inspirations and his distinctive approach to living with and choosing art that enlivens and transforms everyday spaces.

Lewis Miller, a celebrated floral designer rooted in California’s agricultural landscapes, has made a remarkable impact with his vibrant, large-scale public floral installations known as Flower Flashes. Since 2016, Miller and his team have transformed everyday urban spaces—trash cans, bus stops, construction sites—into bursts of joyful, colorful blooms, delighting passersby and offering moments of unexpected beauty amidst the city’s hustle. His latest book, *Flower Flash*, chronicles this inspiring journey with stunning photos, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and fan contributions, capturing the essence of Miller’s spontaneous creative acts. To celebrate this work, Miller has partnered with Artspace to release his first-ever edition print, featuring a striking installation outside Casa Magazines in Manhattan that fuses lush tropical foliage and bright flowers within an iconic New York City waste bin. This bold, contrasting piece embodies both urban grit and floral softness, making it a captivating addition to any art collection.

Laura Currie, co-founder of Prospect, champions art that breaks boundaries by collaborating with renowned artists like Enoc Perez and Judy Chicago to create unique, tactile design objects that elevate everyday items into extraordinary art pieces. From vibrant cocktail straws by Misha Kahn to the evocative Marble Goddess sculpture by Chicago, Prospect’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible, engaging, and infused with storytelling. Currie also highlights her admiration for influential artists such as Allan McCollum, Nan Goldin, and Virgil Abloh, connecting their work to moments of personal and cultural reflection. Whether celebrating playful whimsy with the Haas Brothers’ Animal Alphabet or the transformative power of nuanced, handcrafted objects, Prospect blends creativity with craftsmanship, making art a shared experience beyond the traditional gallery space.

In a heartfelt conversation with Donna McNeil, fine-art photographer Cig Harvey reveals her profound belief in art’s power to deepen our compassion and awaken our senses. Drawing from her upbringing on the Devon Moors and her rich two-decade career, Harvey’s luminous, nature-inspired images invite viewers to truly look and feel. Celebrated internationally and featured in top publications, Harvey also shares her eclectic approach to displaying art at home—maximalist, intuitive, and always evolving to create meaningful dialogues between works. She highlights artists like Ori Gersht, Katherine Bradford, Laura Letinsky, Matt Eich, and Jenny Holzer, whose pieces resonate through their exploration of time, beauty, humanity, and everyday life. Her latest book, *Blue Violet*, beautifully intertwines poetry, botany, and sensory experience, encouraging readers to celebrate the magic in the ordinary and reconnect with the natural world.

Shawn Henderson, a celebrated Manhattan-based interior designer and Rochester Institute of Technology graduate, has built a career transforming interiors into deeply personal, art-infused spaces for clients like Glenn Close and Will Ferrell. His new book, *Shawn Henderson: Interiors in Context*, showcases a range of his projects—from urban townhouses to serene country retreats—highlighting how he integrates custom and vintage furniture with carefully selected contemporary art to create warm, harmonious environments. Henderson emphasizes the importance of art that resonates emotionally rather than simply matching decor, often collaborating closely with clients to curate pieces that add personality and depth. In celebration of his book, he shares some favorite contemporary artworks that reflect his affinity for texture, mood, and storytelling, revealing how art becomes an essential layer in his design philosophy and the unique atmosphere of each home.

In the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara experienced a profound artistic rebirth, reflecting on the loss and helplessness felt across Japan. Returning to his roots, Nara engaged with the community through workshops and, upon his return to the studio, created *Miss Spring*, a monumental portrait rich in texture and color that embodies themes of growth, promise, and emotional complexity. This evocative work, blending vibrant hues and delicate details, invites viewers into an intimate, contemplative space that mirrors Nara’s own journey of reevaluating the role of art in times of tragedy. *Miss Spring* is now available as a limited edition print, supporting both the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR through the prestigious TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala, symbolizing hope and renewal through creativity and philanthropy.

On October 23, Texan philanthropists Cindy and Howard Rachofsky will host the 22nd annual TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala and Auction at their stunning Richard Meier-designed home in Dallas. This celebrated event supports both the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, blending philanthropy with the vibrant contemporary art world. Honoring Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara this year, the gala features a special fundraising print of his evocative work, *Miss Spring* (2012/2021), alongside a night of art viewing, live auction, and entertainment by Rita Ora. Cindy reflects on the event’s enduring impact over two decades, the close-knit community it has fostered, and the meaningful role art and philanthropy play in driving cultural and healthcare initiatives forward.

This year’s Frieze Art Fair returns to Hyde Park with the evocative theme of ‘Unworlding,’ exploring the breakdown and hopeful rebirth of our world amidst societal upheaval. Artistic director Eva Lagret highlights a powerful lineup of artists confronting destruction and regeneration, featuring solo presentations from Issy Wood, Sabine Moritz, Deborah Roberts, and Garrett Bradley alongside works by Yinka Shonibare, Georg Baselitz, and Frank Bowling. The fair’s Sculpture Park showcases giants like Daniel Arsham, Anthony Caro, and Rose Wylie, while galleries such as Stevenson spotlight contemporary African painters including Serge Alain Nitegeka and Moshekwa Langa. Photography by Robert Mapplethorpe and new works by Oscar Murillo, Carol Bove, and Yayoi Kusama enrich the event, complemented by female-focused exhibitions from Pippy Houldsworth and Galerie Lelong. Diverse media and provocative sculptures at Sprüth Magers, alongside historical reflections at Frieze Masters with William Kentridge and mid-century photorealism, ensure a dynamic and thought-provoking art experience reflecting our complex, transforming world.

Founded in 1983 in Mexico City's Roma district, OMR has become a pioneering force in contemporary Mexican art, showcasing internationally acclaimed artists and nurturing emerging talents. Now led by Ana Paula de Haro and the founders’ son Cristobal Riestra, the gallery thrives in a dynamic brutalist space that’s central to the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. Highlighted are standout works from artists like Troika, whose “Irma Watched Over by Machines” explores the intersection of technology and human perception, and Gabriel Rico, whose playful yet profound sculptures engage with nature, consumerism, and craftsmanship. The gallery also champions powerful voices such as Pia Camil, Candida Höfer, SUPERFLEX, and Artur Lescher, each bringing unique perspectives that blend personal narratives, architectural beauty, and philosophical reflections. Through collaborations and exhibitions, OMR continues to set the pace for contemporary art in Mexico and beyond, creating art that resonates deeply while sparking curiosity and dialogue.

Over Artspace’s first decade, artists, curators, and creatives have shared powerful insights that challenge and deepen our understanding of art and its practice. Nathaniel Mary Quinn reflects on the struggle to recapture the fearless creativity of childhood in adult drawing, while Walter Robinson coins the term Zombie Formalism to describe a revival of reductive, modernist painting styles. Ajay Kurian critiques the unsettling nature of contemporary sculpture as a reflection of societal tensions, and Tiffany Zabludowicz celebrates the seductive complexity of emerging photographers like Sara Cwyner. Grace Coddington redefines modernity as a state of mind beyond trends, and Camille Henrot finds the messy contradictions of parenting fertile ground for artistic exploration. Lawrence Weiner embraces public walls as evolving canvases of collective memory, Pilar Corrias traces her feminist awakening to historical art, and Catherine Opie returns to street photography to explore democracy and citizenship. Finally, Catherine Bradford recalls the playful imagination of architect Philip Johnson, reminding us that scale and perspective can transform how we see the world. These voices together offer ten compelling perspectives that have transformed how we look at art today.

Durk Dehner’s journey began in 1976 when he discovered a captivating poster by Tom of Finland in a Manhattan motorcycle bar, sparking a lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting queer artistry. From founding the Tom of Finland Foundation to curating a diverse selection of works by influential queer artists like Jack Pierson, Catherine Opie, Mark Beard, Bruce LaBruce, and Keith Haring, Dehner celebrates the powerful intersection of sexuality, identity, and art. His selections showcase striking portraits, bold colors, and intimate narratives, honoring both historical influences and contemporary expressions, while also including timeless design pieces like Josef Hoffmann’s Art Deco coffee table. This collection is an evocative tribute to the vibrancy and resilience of queer culture through the lens of groundbreaking artistic visionaries.

Over the past decade, Artspace has presented a rich tapestry of interviews with collectors, artists, and artworld insiders who have offered fresh perspectives on contemporary art. From minimalist architect John Pawson’s unexpected love for playful ceramics to Valeria Napoleone’s intriguing spiritualist sculpture that once startled visitors, these conversations reveal the personal connections and surprising stories behind celebrated works. Artists like Jean Michel Othoniel and photographers such as Stuart Franklin and Roger Ballen share their unique inspirations, while gallerists and patrons highlight emerging talents like Petra Cortright and Katherine Bradford. Musician Adam Clayton reflects on the beauty of the male form through Robert Mapplethorpe’s lens, and visionary philanthropist Adrian Cheng bridges global cultures through art. This curated selection celebrates not only the art itself but the heartfelt passions that drive those who create, collect, and champion it.

Bill Claps is a New Jersey-born, New York-based artist whose work uniquely blends painting, photography, and printmaking, deeply influenced by his travels in East Asia and childhood fascination with martial arts. With a Harvard background and a global outlook, Claps explores universal cultural themes through innovative techniques like metallic foil application, which adds dynamic texture and light to his landscapes. His “Natural Abstractions” series reflects a spiritual connection to nature, inspired by Asian art traditions and the philosophy that humans are part of, not central to, the natural world. Claps draws on art history, language, and Morse code to create layered, intriguing visuals that evoke mystery and invite viewers into a deeper engagement. Throughout his career, he has evolved from figurative work to minimalistic monochromatic pieces, emphasizing texture and symbolism, all while maintaining a disciplined studio practice that fuels his ongoing creative breakthroughs.

Gemini G.E.L., founded in 1966 in Los Angeles, stands as one of America’s most prestigious publishers of limited edition prints, renowned for its meticulous collaboration with artists who directly craft their work on printing plates. Over the decades, Gemini has partnered with iconic figures such as Philip Guston, Ken Price, Robert Rauschenberg, Elizabeth Murray, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra, and many others, producing prints that capture the boldness, whimsy, and unique visions of each artist. From Guston's intimate late-career lithographs created amid declining health to the vibrant and sculptural qualities of Serra’s etchings, Gemini’s editions embody creativity and innovation. Their archives celebrate a diverse legacy of artistic exploration, including John Baldessari’s playful abstractions, Allen Ginsberg’s multimedia collaborations, and Frank Gehry’s architectural puzzles, all underscoring Gemini’s role as a treasured partner in artmaking and preservation.

As Artspace celebrates its first decade, it reflects on invaluable wisdom from key artworld insiders who share insights on thriving as an artist, collector, and enthusiast. From Lydia Fenet’s advice to immerse yourself fully in the art scene, to Bill Arning’s surprising revelation about the enduring market for pet portraits, the perspectives highlight the importance of knowledge, presence, and boldness. Curator Naomi Beckwith emphasizes the power of art that balances history with originality, while artist Sanford Biggers encourages artists to become articulate advocates for their work. Wangechi Mutu champions self-worth and confidence in navigating the market, and gallerists like Darius Himes and Jeffrey Deitch stress the significance of personal connection and the growing inclusivity of the art audience. Interior designer Kishani Perera adds that thoughtful curation at home can transform spaces and conversations. Together, these voices create a vibrant mosaic of advice for anyone passionate about art’s evolving landscape.

Over the past decade, Artspace has proudly partnered with a diverse array of nonprofits and charitable causes, using art to drive positive social impact. From supporting Red Hot’s fight against AIDS through iconic works by David Wojnarowicz, to empowering gender equality with Promundo’s collaboration highlighting female artists, Artspace has championed meaningful causes across the spectrum. Their alliances extend to nurturing young creatives via Free Arts NYC, fostering artistic growth at Skowhegan’s renowned residency, and providing critical COVID-19 relief through initiatives like N95forNYC. They’ve also backed vital community organizations such as The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and Public Art Fund, while addressing social justice with Paper Monuments’ work on monuments and history. Meanwhile, RxART transforms healthcare environments through contemporary art, easing patient experiences. Each collaboration reflects Artspace’s commitment to blending art with advocacy, creativity with compassion, and culture with lasting change.

As Artspace celebrates its first decade, it reflects on a decade of exclusive print editions from some of today’s most compelling fine artists. From Adam Pendleton’s haunting black-and-white mask imagery to Marcel Dzama’s escape into drawing through harsh winters and personal loss, each artist shares intimate insights into their work. Christina Quarles explores identity and perception, Jonas Wood recounts the pivotal role of his Los Angeles studio, while Cecily Brown draws inspiration from 19th-century erotica for her provocative Black Paintings. Eric Fischl captures a nuanced middle-class American reality, and Awol Erizku channels Bauhaus influences in his vibrant color play. Sarah Morris delves into the dreamlike allure of luxury, Genesis Tramaine communes with spiritual visions, and Tomi Ungerer reflects on using shock in protest art shaped by his wartime experiences. Renowned sculptor Sarah Sze celebrates drawing as a primal, potent form. Together, these stories offer a rich tapestry of artistic vision and creative process, inviting art lovers to discover more exclusive editions from many other remarkable artists on Artspace.

Universal Design Studio has spent two decades transforming how we experience spaces, blending architecture with art to create environments that resonate deeply with people. With offices across New York, London, and Shanghai, the studio collaborates with top-tier clients like Google and Stella McCartney, emphasizing a human-centered design approach that prioritizes interaction and emotional connection. Their projects, such as the art-infused At Six Hotel in Stockholm and the ceramic-adorned 100 Liverpool Street in London, exemplify a seamless dialogue between architecture and artwork. Co-director Paul Gulati also highlights influential artists like Carlos Cruz-Diez and Daido Moriyama, whose participatory and immersive pieces inspire their design philosophy. The studio’s debut monograph, *Universal Design Studio: Inside Out*, showcases this visionary ethos, inviting readers to explore the intricate relationship between people, space, and art.

Jim Hodges' artistic journey is a captivating exploration beyond traditional painting, driven by his quest to access new forms of image and experience through diverse materials. From his early days in a dimly lit basement studio, manipulating everyday objects like tape, fabric, and found items, Hodges has developed a rich practice that embraces memory, loss, and love. His latest work, *rearranged for Bill* (2021), is a sculptural book edition inspired by his earlier *Arranged* (1996), where floral still lifes and photography blend into an interactive piece inviting viewers to bend and fold pages to complete the artwork. Hodges’ deep engagement with materials—especially paper—reveals an intimacy with the creative process, reflecting his belief that art unfolds naturally from its medium. This new edition also supports Art Resources Transfer, a nonprofit reflecting his late friend Bill Bartman’s vision. Hodges encourages a thoughtful, patient encounter with art, reminding us that its true success lies in the shared connection between the work and its audience, and above all, in finding love in the creative act.

Author Helen Thompson and photographer Casey Dunn’s latest collaboration, *Santa Fe Modern*, completes their “Modern” trilogy, showcasing homes that blend authentic lived-in warmth with the bold, abstract forms of modernist design shaped by the New Mexican landscape. Rejecting overly styled interiors, their images reveal spaces that reflect homeowners’ true personalities and the unique spirit of Santa Fe, deeply influenced by iconic artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Agnes Martin. Through a curated selection of artworks and architecture, the book celebrates a dynamic fusion of traditional materials such as adobe with sleek steel and glass, illustrating how modernism harmonizes with the high desert’s natural beauty. This compelling exploration captures the intimate dialogue between art, architecture, and environment in a way that is both accessible and inspiring.

French-Algerian photographer Serge Hamad blends powerful human rights activism with a keen artistic vision, capturing both the harsh realities of the world and the sublime beauty found in nature. From his early heartbreak over a butterfly's death, he embraced photography as a means to observe and express. His acclaimed series like "Temporal Perception" explore fleeting illusions through vibrant colors and geometric forms, while his “Relax” series offers serene beachscapes born from moments of escape and reflection. Whether documenting resilience in New York before Hurricane Sandy or seeking organic lines in chaotic nature, Hamad’s work reveals a profound dialogue between light, time, and human experience. His journey from visual storytelling to fine art is marked by a dedication to sharing vision with authenticity, making his photos both a political statement and a celebration of fleeting beauty.

James Crump, a distinguished writer, curator, and filmmaker with a deep scholarly and personal engagement in postwar art, shares his refined aesthetic sensibility through a selection of five works by artists he closely follows. Drawing on his extensive experience and relationships within the art world, Crump highlights pieces by Tom Burr, Maurizio Cattelan, Oliver Mosset, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Wade Guyton, each chosen for their dialogue with midcentury modern architecture and minimalist environments. His new book, *Breuer’s Bohemia: The Architect, His Circle, and Midcentury Houses in New England*, explores the lesser-known residential projects of iconic architect Marcel Breuer, revealing a vibrant cultural network of architects, artists, and writers who shaped American design and culture in the mid-20th century. Richly illustrated and accompanied by a documentary, Crump’s work offers a unique insight into this dynamic intersection of art, architecture, and intellectual life.

Spanish fine art photographer Sandra Platas Hernández transforms the fleeting beauty of flowers into timeless, dreamlike images that capture the delicate cycle of life. Rooted in her early passions for ceramics and painting, Sandra’s work combines meticulous still life composition with a spontaneous creative process, often inspired by the natural world she cherishes, especially during the pandemic when her garden blossomed anew. Her floral studies, like those in her ongoing “Flores de mi jardín” series, evoke deep emotions and invite viewers to find meaning beyond mere aesthetics—celebrating nature’s transience and our profound connection to it. Through vivid colors, painterly textures, and thoughtful lighting, Sandra’s photographs freeze moments of sublime uniqueness, turning ordinary blooms into powerful symbols of mood, memory, and the passage of time.

Indian artist S.K. Sahni’s artistic journey spans over seven decades, marked by a steadfast dedication to abstract, non-figurative exploration through straight lines and geometric shapes. Beginning in the 1950s and evolving through various stylistic phases and mediums—from paper to canvas and innovative collage techniques—Sahni’s works, often titled with the word "space," invite viewers to experience movement, depth, and a unique visual language without preconceived notions. His creative process embraces freedom and change, encouraging an intuitive engagement that awakens one’s aesthetic sensibility. Emerging from humble beginnings in a signboard painter’s workshop, Sahni has exhibited widely, held curatorial roles, and continues to inspire collectors and art lovers worldwide by sharing his vision directly through modern platforms.

Drew Doggett is a celebrated American photographer and filmmaker whose journey from the high-fashion studios to the wild, remote corners of the world has shaped a powerful storytelling style through his camera. With a career that started alongside legends like Annie Leibovitz and Mark Seliger, Doggett has since devoted himself to capturing the extraordinary beauty of people, wildlife, and landscapes—from the super tusk elephants of East Africa to the wild horses of Sable Island. His work is a blend of meticulous planning and embracing nature's unpredictability, with a focus on conservation and humanity’s shared connection across species. Whether it’s the intimate portraits of chimpanzee alpha males or the haunting stillness of white horses in mythic settings, Doggett’s images invite us to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the wonder of our world. His photographs and films have garnered over 100 awards, permanent collections, and collaborations with major brands, and are now available to collectors through Artspace, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and landscapes that inspire him.

Argentinian artist Alberto González Vivo crafts mesmerizing optical art that draws inspiration from pioneers like Victor Vasarely as well as everyday observations of light, movement, and nature. His creative process begins with meticulous sketches and digital compositions, carefully balancing geometry, color, and light to evoke visual sensations that captivate and sometimes challenge viewers. Having transitioned from a career in technology to fully embrace his childhood passion for painting, González Vivo’s work explores evolving series that play with shape, shadow, and movement to create illusions of depth and motion. His pieces, celebrated across the Americas and available on Artspace, invite viewers to experience joy and subtle visual surprise, reflecting his belief that art should stir genuine, shared emotional responses.

Celeste Dupuy-Spencer’s dynamic paintings navigate the complexities of the American experience through vivid, layered imagery that blends history, society, and personal narrative. In her latest Artspace edition, she unpacks a rich tableau featuring a tense Manhattan loft scene charged with themes of power, violence, and legacy. Her work is deeply informed by art history, with references ranging from Lady Butler’s war scenes to Rubens and Géricault, creating a poignant dialogue on humanity’s cycles of brutality and survival. Dupuy-Spencer reflects on the inherited nature of privilege, empathy for her conflicted characters, and the subtle symbols woven throughout her compositions—from a child’s ghost embodying lost innocence to a haunting peace sign and coded wine bottles. Highlighting collaborative artistry and rejecting capitalist conventions, she invites viewers into a multifaceted meditation on societal collapse, legacy, and the fraught nature of freedom.

Lindsay August-Salazar’s vibrant and dynamic art is deeply rooted in her background as a dancer and her Los Angeles upbringing, where she developed a keen awareness of cultural production and consciousness. Blending movement, language, and modernist influences, her work creates an alternative visual lexicon—the Abstract Character Copy (ACC) Lexicon—that challenges hegemonic power structures and invites viewers into a space for reflection and empowerment. Her creative process draws from philosophy, neuroscience, and choreographic practice, resulting in multi-dimensional paintings and performances that explore identity, systems of power, and the intersections of language and movement. Through her art, August-Salazar not only critiques societal norms but also envisions new paradigms of thought, embodying a deeply cerebral yet visceral approach to human expression and political imagination.

Colleen Blackard transforms the humble ballpoint pen into a cosmic tool, creating mesmerizing artworks that explore natural and celestial themes through light, memory, and transformation. Dividing her time between Texas and New York, Blackard’s signature circular mark-making technique brings stars, storms, and abandoned barns to life, inviting viewers into immersive worlds that balance vast universes with intimate personal stories. Her work, recognized by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and featured internationally, captures the ethereal beauty of the infinite and the emotional depths of human experience, encouraging a profound sense of wonder and connection.

Italian artist Bepi Ghiotti, whose work spans photography, video, painting, and installation, explores the fluid and elusive nature of time as his chosen medium. Inspired early on by watching his father splice home movies, Ghiotti views art as a continual practice of presence and interaction with the environment rather than a fixed form. His acclaimed projects, including the poignant series "Sources," document not just locations like river sources but the journeys and moments of grace leading to their capture, embodying a deep phenomenological approach that distills essence by stripping away superfluity. Ghiotti’s methodology emphasizes purity, exactness, and the ongoing movement within still images—suggesting that artworks never truly rest but evolve through their exchange with viewers and contexts. His reflective process and long engagements, such as his intimate documentation of artist Carol Rama, resonate with a sensitivity to time’s dilation and the dynamic tensions between nature, human intervention, and perception.

Catherine Opie’s photography offers a compelling and intimate exploration of America’s diverse communities, capturing moments that blend personal experience with political statement. Her evocative work includes portraits of marginalized individuals and vibrant public protests, such as her striking 2017 photograph of the Women’s March in Los Angeles. In this candid interview, Opie reflects on the powerful energy of that day, the challenges of documenting emotionally charged events, and her evolving approach to photographing demonstrations—from capturing the marchers to witnessing the complexities of police presence and protest dynamics. Through her lens, Opie not only records pivotal social movements but also invites viewers to engage deeply with the ongoing dialogue about democracy, identity, and resistance.

Rey Zorro, the Brazilian-born multimedia artist and co-founder of Manhattan’s iconic Liquid Sky boutique, artfully blends ‘90s rave culture with her lifelong fascination with extraterrestrials. From her early inspirations reading Erich von Däniken's theories to her boundary-pushing work across painting, collage, fashion, and digital media, Zorro continuously challenges artistic norms while celebrating the surreal and the otherworldly. Her provocative installations and series—from haunting food paintings born of personal hunger and studio searches to UFO-inspired works reflecting London’s mysterious Royal Docks—invite viewers into a universe where art, language, and pop culture collide. Balancing her legacy in New York’s legendary club scene with fresh explorations in film, NFTs, and collaborations like the upcoming art book with acid house pioneer Adamski, Zorro remains an fearless creator who thrives on stepping beyond comfort zones while honoring her roots.

Launched during the pandemic by Ashlyn Davis Burns and Shane Lavalette, Assembly is a dynamic gallery, agency, and creative studio that redefines artist representation by fostering deep, collaborative relationships. With roots in photography and a commitment to multidisciplinary practices, Assembly champions artists whose work engages with personal, social, and cultural narratives, offering support that goes far beyond traditional galleries. Drawing on their extensive nonprofit experience, the founders prioritize meaningful conversations and tailored guidance, empowering artists through exhibitions, publications, and commissions. Celebrated for connecting collectors with conceptually rich, research-driven art, Assembly is already making waves by placing works in significant collections and nurturing innovative projects, including limited-edition books and upcoming exhibitions that highlight the evolving power of photographic and image-based art.

As a founding member of U2, Adam Clayton’s passion for contemporary art goes beyond mere collecting; he sees himself as an enthusiast driven by curiosity and connection rather than acquisition. His eclectic taste, influenced by his global upbringing and life in New York, embraces everything from Brazilian ceramics to innovative photography and sculpture. Clayton cherishes the relationships he forms with artists and the stories their work tells, favoring pieces that resonate emotionally and culturally, such as those by Louise Bourgeois, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Wilhelm Sasnal. His collection reflects a deep engagement with figurative art and the human condition, serving as both a personal dialogue and a nurturing presence in his home. For Clayton, art is a vital cultural exchange that fuels his creativity and offers profound insights into vulnerability, identity, and humanity.

This June, Artspace proudly presents The Center Benefit Auction in support of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City, featuring works by artists including Garrett Chingery. Known for his deeply layered representational paintings that explore the psyche and the self, Chingery contributes an enchanting new piece titled Night Faeries, depicting mysterious, winged silhouettes radiating ethereal energy. Reflecting on his artistic journey from adolescence, Chingery shares how painting serves as his lens on the world and highlights the vital role The Center plays as a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQ community. Alongside this auction contribution, he eagerly anticipates launching THE ARK, a captivating series of animal portraits available affordably to collectors. This event supports a historic institution that continues to empower and nurture the LGBTQ community through vital services and cultural programs.

This June, Artspace celebrates The Center Benefit Auction in support of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, featuring works by a diverse group of artists including Jerry Torre, known as Jerry The Marble Faun. Famous for his connection to the iconic Grey Gardens documentary, Torre has transformed his early life struggles—including battling addiction and living with HIV—into powerful stone and ceramic sculptures that speak from the soul. In this intimate interview, he reflects on the inspiration drawn from compassion, kindness, and the enduring support of The Center, which helped him find sobriety and a new path of light. His featured piece, "Blu," a glazed ceramic horse head inspired by a steadfast desert companion, embodies strength and survival, mirroring Torre’s own resilience and ongoing journey as an artist and community advocate.

This June, Artspace proudly presents The Center Benefit Auction in support of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, featuring works by acclaimed multimedia artist Anthony Goicolea. Known for his evocative explorations of identity, personal history, and adolescence—often using himself as the model—Goicolea offers two unique “blue-print” diptychs, merging photography and hand-drawn elements on translucent Mylar. Reflecting on his deep connections with NYC’s LGBTQ community and his admiration for the Center’s vital support services, he highlights his passion for artistic metamorphosis and the power of transitional moments. From his formative years near the Christopher Street Piers to his celebrated public monuments, Goicolea’s art remains a dynamic, intimate dialogue. This Pride Month, support this essential institution by bidding on extraordinary works that embody resilience, community, and transformation.

This June, Artspace proudly presents The Center Benefit Auction in support of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, featuring a diverse array of artists including acclaimed painter TM Davy. Known for his dreamy pastel and gouache works that capture intimate moments on Fire Island, Davy’s piece "West" perfectly exemplifies his vibrant, fluid style praised by The New Yorker. With a distinguished career highlighted by exhibitions at the Whitney Biennial and MoMA, Davy’s contribution celebrates love and nature, embodying a tender yet dynamic artistic vision. Established in 1983, The Center continues to empower the LGBTQ community with vital virtual services, making this event an inspiring opportunity to support an essential institution while enjoying exceptional contemporary art.

In celebration of Pride Month, Artspace presents The Center Benefit Auction supporting New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, featuring works from a diverse group of artists including Buenos Aires-born, New York-based William Eric Brown. Known for his layered photographic works that blend images of airports, pathways, and derelict buildings, Brown’s art captures a life in motion and a depth of experience reminiscent of iconic photographers and painters. In an illuminating interview, Brown shares his unique creative process of layering, obscuring, and revealing images to evoke mood and narrative, describing his auction piece *In The Middle* (2020) as a shifting self-portrait—sometimes hopeful, sometimes ominous. Through this auction, Brown expresses his commitment to contributing to community and culture, inviting viewers to engage with art that resonates with memory, dream, and identity.

American artist Celeste Dupuy-Spencer creates powerful, visionary paintings that delve into personal fears, social and political tensions, and the complexities of the human condition. Her work, celebrated in major institutions like the Whitney and Hammer Museum, blends real and imagined iconography to confront themes of wealth, addiction, and existential struggle. Drawing on a Marxist upbringing and her own queer and autistic identity, Dupuy-Spencer’s paintings challenge viewers to reflect on their complicity and emotional engagement with the world. Her new limited edition, "When you’ve eaten everything below you, you’ll devour yourself/except in dreams you’re never really free," embodies this tension between material possession and spiritual unraveling, offering a haunting meditation on the fall of civilization and the search for meaning amidst chaos.

Phaidon’s fall 2021 art and photography list offers a captivating journey through diverse creative realms, from Africa’s vibrant contemporary art scene showcased in "African Artists: From 1882 to Now," to the intimate exploration of American artist Lorna Simpson’s impactful career. The collection includes Martin Parr’s vivid and often humorous snapshots of global tennis culture in "Match Point," as well as the serene minimalism of Agnes Martin’s reflective paintings. Highlighting cutting-edge talent, the New Museum Triennial’s catalog "Soft Water Hard Stone" presents artists challenging traditional paradigms. Fashion lovers can immerse themselves in Annie Leibovitz’s stunning "Wonderland," while David Doubilet’s "Two Worlds" unveils the mesmerizing intersection of oceanic life above and below water. This extraordinary selection promises inspiration for art enthusiasts eager to experience the rich spectrum of today’s visual culture.

Catherine Opie’s latest work, showcased in Phaidon's new collector’s edition, explores the profound interplay between friendship, identity, and landscape through two striking prints. Celebrated for her ability to capture both intimate human stories and expansive, almost abstract environments, Opie reflects on her decades-long friendship with her subject Pigpen, revealing how the body tells stories of change, activism, and enduring love. Contrasting this is her near-baroque interpretation of America’s natural landmarks, inviting viewers to pause and deeply engage beyond the surface snapshots so common in the age of smartphones. Through these works, Opie challenges us to reconsider how we experience and preserve both personal connections and the natural world in a rapidly changing society.

During the lockdown, Klaus Biesenbach, Director of MOCA LA, transformed challenges into opportunities by pioneering a vibrant online art experience through Zoom studio visits with prominent artists like Huma Bhabha and Camille Henrot. These intimate virtual sessions, which captured artists’ processes, motivations, and visions, inspired a unique collaboration resulting in limited edition prints that extend the accessibility of these creative dialogues beyond the screen. Biesenbach’s innovative approach, coupled with MOCA’s expanded programs including free admissions and major upcoming exhibitions, reflects his belief in art as a force for hope, community, and the creation of a better future. Through his curatorial vision and deep commitment to artists, he continues to shape MOCA into a dynamic space where art not only survives but thrives amid adversity.

Liz Hopfan, Founder and Executive Director of Free Arts NYC, shares her passion for empowering underserved youth through art and mentorship. Drawing from her childhood experiences exploring New York City's vibrant cultural scene and her background as a second-grade teacher, Hopfan highlights how creativity can build confidence, bridge disparities, and open doors to educational and professional opportunities. Amid the challenges of the pandemic, Free Arts NYC has adapted with resilient programs supporting thousands of young people, especially those in shelters, while addressing digital divides and budget cuts. Collaborations with artists like Devin Troy Strother—whose vibrant Grateful Dead Afro Cat Show print release supports the cause—demonstrate the powerful community spirit behind their work. Hopfan invites supporters to join the mission, emphasizing art’s transformative role in inspiring the next generation.

Devin Troy Strother, a California-born painter and sculptor, infuses his work with a bold blend of humor, social critique, and vibrant materiality, tackling themes of racial prejudice and black stereotypes with a playful, cartoon-like approach that softens complex and often painful subject matter. Celebrated globally and held in major museums, Strother’s practice embraces African American cultural icons and stereotypes, transforming them into dynamic visual narratives that celebrate black identity with wit and nuance. His latest edition, *Grateful Dead Afro Cat Show* (2021), features hand-embellished prints spotlighting his signature style and supports Free Arts NYC, a nonprofit empowering underserved youth through creative mentorship. Strother’s artistry reflects his unique vantage point as a black artist navigating humor, cultural codes, and social realities, all while maintaining an approachable, irreverent spirit that challenges and invites viewers alike.

Pakistani-American artist Huma Bhabha masterfully bridges the ancient and the futuristic, crafting haunting sculptures and prints that evoke both classical antiquity and sci-fi monstrosities. With a background enriched by early influences from Greek statuary and contemporary horror cinema, Bhabha’s work explores the grotesque as something sophisticated and beautiful. Her new 2021 Artspace print, created to support MOCA, reflects her ongoing fascination with layering and collage, offering a complex, intense portrait that blurs boundaries between abstraction and figuration. Rooted in a diverse array of inspirations—from early Modernist experimenters to practical skills gained as a taxidermist—Bhabha continues to push artistic limits, creating characters with strong, evocative personalities that resonate deeply within contemporary art.

Jade Montserrat uses drawing as a powerful tool to explore personal and historical narratives, intertwining art with activism to confront deep-rooted racism and social inequalities. Inspired by Josephine Baker's vision of a post-racial ‘Rainbow Tribe,’ Montserrat critically examines these ideals through her own ongoing project, blending academic research with visual expression to reevaluate the representation of Black and women’s bodies in society. Drawing, for Montserrat, is both a meditative practice and a form of ethical engagement that connects her to her heritage and fuels her commitment to anti-racist praxis. Despite challenges like limited resources and societal undervaluing of the arts, she remains dedicated to making drawing accessible and reflective of care, observation, and resistance, emphasizing its immediacy, inclusivity, and transformative potential.

Parisian artist Camille Henrot’s new edition, *Mother Tongue*, challenges conventional notions of motherhood through a rich and unsettling image that intertwines tenderness, exhaustion, and ambiguity. Drawing from her own experiences as a parent and her fascination with childhood development, gender, and language, Henrot explores the complex, often messy realities of parenting and the deep imprint of early life on identity. Her work resists unidirectional interpretation, inviting viewers to navigate the fluidity of attachment, exploration, and the cultural constructions surrounding motherhood. Bridging mediums from sculpture to drawing to film, Henrot reflects on care, societal norms, and the evolving nature of relationships, especially in a post-pandemic world, while likening her artistic process to a disciplined, almost athletic practice. Her *Mother Tongue* series is a provocative meditation on family, gender, and the unspoken experiences that shape us all.

For 75 years, the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture has been a sanctuary for emerging artists, offering an immersive nine-week summer residency on a sprawling Maine farm where creativity thrives free from commercial pressures. Founded in 1946 and still artist-governed, Skowhegan has evolved to meet the needs of its diverse community, from post-WWII veterans to contemporary creators seeking a supportive space to develop authentic voices. This anniversary year celebrates its rich legacy with community workshops, international artist engagement through Zoom, alumni residencies, and special editions like Christina Quarles’ “Magic Hour.” Skowhegan remains a vibrant hub where artists from around the world connect deeply, learn from difference, and find the courage to redefine their practices, sustaining an artistic ecosystem that enriches the broader art world with courage, diversity, and innovation.

Christina Quarles’s new edition, *Magic Hour* (2016/2021), captures the vibrant essence of a golden summer dusk while illuminating her rising star in contemporary art. Created during her transformative residency at Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, this edition reimagines a now-lost fresco that marked a turning point in Quarles’s use of color and technique. Known for her dynamic, contorted figures that explore themes of identity, fluidity, and self-perception, Quarles delves into the tension between legibility and ambiguity, portraying bodies in flux to challenge conventional notions of coherence and self-understanding. The pandemic further influenced her work, as shifting light and digital landscapes inspired new explorations of pattern, gradient, and space. Through a process that balances spontaneity and control, Quarles’s paintings invite viewers into intimate, disorganized bodily experiences that reflect both vulnerability and agency. This exclusive print, launched in partnership with Skowhegan’s 75th anniversary, offers a compelling glimpse into an artist who continues to chase that elusive “golden hour” of creativity and expression.

Cecily Brown’s Black Paintings, a striking series begun in 2002, blend abstraction and figuration to explore themes of the female form, sexuality, and art history through a moody palette dominated by black. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century erotica and masters like Bosch, Goya, and Dutch still life painters, Brown creates canvases that are both intimate and enigmatic, where figures lie recumbent beneath dark, dreamlike skies. Reflecting on these works, Brown reveals how they embody a paradox of clarity and mystery, expressing a personal yet archetypal female experience. Now collaborating with Phaidon and Artspace to produce limited edition prints, she offers collectors not just a piece of art but a continuation of her creative dialogue—inviting us to place these evocative “bedroom paintings” into our own lives with a sense of intimacy and ease.

John Pawson, renowned for his minimalist architectural spaces that evoke spiritual simplicity, shares his nuanced relationship with art—both as an influence and as a challenge within his serene homes. Despite finding art disruptive to his minimal designs, he has carefully acquired pieces with deep personal and familial connections, favoring multiples by artists like Dan Flavin and Donald Judd that complement his ascetic surroundings. Pawson reflects on his artistic upbringing, memorable encounters with iconic works, and the stories behind his varied collection, which he approaches not as a traditional collector but as a custodian. Balancing seriousness with subtle playfulness, his selections reveal layers of craftsmanship and meaning, while his evolving perspective suggests a preference for spaces free of adornment, leaving his cherished pieces to be treasured by future generations.

Emily Bills, an expert in urban image-making and author of the monograph *Wayne Thom: Photographing the Late Modern*, explores the intersection of photography, architecture, and interior design through her personal admiration of influential artists like Carrie Mae Weems, Agnes Martin, Catherine Opie, Candida Höfer, and James Welling. She reflects on how Weems’ empathetic storytelling and thoughtful staging in the *Kitchen Table Series* shaped her own artistic path, while Agnes Martin’s minimalist work reveals new depths when thoughtfully curated in architectural space. Bills praises Opie’s vivid portrayal of everyday urban life and Welling’s imaginative reinterpretation of Philip Johnson’s Glass House, highlighting their unique abilities to blend person, place, and perception. She also celebrates Höfer’s mastery of one-point perspective and the quiet histories embedded in grand, empty spaces. Through her insights, Bills invites readers to reconsider the dialogue between art, space, and social narratives in the urban environment.

Emma Talbot’s art emerges from deeply personal experiences of love and loss, transforming intimate reflections into a unique visual language marked by stylized figures, rhythmic patterns, and expressive calligraphy. Her work, rooted in drawing as a spontaneous, exploratory act, has evolved from small, emotionally charged pieces into large-scale installations and multimedia projects that tackle universal themes like humanity’s future, nature, and digital addiction. Embracing immediacy and honesty, Talbot’s drawings reveal subconscious thoughts and invite viewers to connect with her narratives on identity and survival in a complex world. Featured in the new survey Vitamin D3: Today's Best in Contemporary Drawing, Talbot shares her process and insights, illustrating how drawing remains a vital, inventive tool for articulating inner and outer realities.

This innovative artist removes human gesture from his drawings, relying instead on machines that recall and parody scientific processes

Deanna Petherbridge, renowned for her monochromatic pen and ink drawings, has spent over fifty years exploring the interplay of industrial and architectural forms to capture the complex, ever-shifting nature of urban landscapes. Her large-format works defy gravity, presenting cities through a lens of fragmented perspectives that reflect the scars of conflict, migration, and the pandemic. Through powerful visual metaphors—railways, cranes, and skeletal ruins—she addresses urgent global crises such as forced displacement, environmental degradation, and social upheaval. Petherbridge’s art challenges conventional ideas of drawing by melding meticulous detail with cinematic ambition, asserting drawing’s vital role in shaping cultural narratives and responding to the pressing challenges of our time.

Pennsylvania-born, Brooklyn-based artist Kyle Thurman explores complex notions of masculinity through his drawing series Suggested Occupation, which began in 2015. By reimagining images of soldiers and athletes outside their usual contexts, Thurman challenges traditional male stereotypes and highlights the tender, vulnerable, and sometimes ambiguous dynamics between men. His near-daily practice captures fleeting moments that blur lines between toughness and intimacy, masculinity and homoeroticism, with works often rendered on unexpected surfaces like bubble-gum pink paper. Featured in Phaidon's Vitamin D3: Today's Best in Contemporary Drawing, Thurman reflects on drawing as a form of writing and memory, emphasizing its immediacy and archival qualities while continuously questioning institutional structures and the evolving role of art in society.

Valeria Napoleone, a passionate Italian-born collector based in London and New York, is redefining the art world by championing female artists and expanding art history beyond its traditional, narrow confines. Driven by her feminist conviction to elevate unheard female voices, she has built a vibrant collection featuring both established and emerging talents, including Lisa Yuskavage, Anne Imhof, and Carol Shadford. Her collection is thoughtfully integrated into her seven-story London home, where art and architecture converse seamlessly. Napoleone’s journey began in New York’s underground art scene, fueled by a desire to engage directly with living artists and challenge the male-dominated art canon. Her commitment extends beyond collecting—through philanthropy and gallery support, she nurtures diversity and bold artistic expression. Valeria’s keen eye, generous spirit, and dedication to fostering equal opportunity have made her a courageous and influential force dedicated to transforming the contemporary art landscape.

This brilliant British artist channels personal history in her beautiful, narrative works

Matthew Patrick Smyth, an acclaimed Elle Décor A List designer, shares his expert insights on integrating art into interior design in his new book, *Through a Designer's Eye: A Focus on Interiors*. Renowned for his elegant and sophisticated spaces, Smyth explores the delicate balance between art and environment, emphasizing the importance of scale, placement, and the surprising joy that art brings when it arrives last. Through his curated selection of contemporary works—from hauntingly beautiful photographs by Sebastião Salgado to vibrant pieces by Jay Heikes and playful illustrations by Maira Kalman—he reveals how art can transform a home, telling a unique story and setting the tone for any space. Smyth’s thoughtful approach encourages flexibility, respect for rules, and an embrace of the unexpected, offering both art lovers and design enthusiasts invaluable advice on making art truly come alive on the walls.

John Wood and Paul Harrison’s creative practice is deeply intertwined with their drawing, which serves as a vital tool for exploring ideas across various media including performance and video. Their work, infused with dry wit and influenced by slapstick comedy, playfully challenges artistic egos and the logic of language, often blending simplicity with subtle conceptual humor. Drawing is both a literal and metaphorical foundation for their process—an external memory and a means of navigating their creative dialogue. Over decades, they have embraced the uncertainties of art-making, valuing mistakes and the evolving nature of ideas. For Wood and Harrison, drawing is everywhere—a gesture woven into daily life and artistic labor alike—reflecting a philosophical yet approachable view of what it means to create. Their reflections reveal a refreshing perspective on the artist’s role, emphasizing the blend of fun, frustration, and persistence that fuels genuine creativity.

This Vitamin D3-featured artist channels mid-century cartoon imagery in his lifesize sketches while listening to 'difficult' music

This contemplative Korean artist draws on experimental French literature and requires silence and nature when working on her detailed drawings

What's the one thing these Vitamin D3 artists can't get enough of? Each other. But exercise, travel and dedication also help them create their art

Martin Wilner uniquely bridges the worlds of psychoanalysis and contemporary art, using drawing not only as creative expression but as a direct, immediate exploration of the mind. Inspired by childhood comic books and the work of Art Spiegelman, Wilner’s self-taught artistry transforms psychiatric insights into visual narratives, notably in his ongoing series ‘The Case Histories,’ where daily drawings map intimate psychological profiles over time. Amid the constraints of the pandemic, he highlights drawing’s power as an accessible, ancient form of expression that thrives in minimal conditions. For Wilner, drawing is a form of thinking, learning, and authentic discovery—a delicate, spontaneous dance between hand and mind that channels the raw curiosity and immediacy of childhood while embodying a profound, sustained creative effort.

As China celebrates the New Year, contemporary Chinese art offers a fascinating lens through which to witness the convergence of Eastern and Western artistic experiences. Once worlds apart, today’s Chinese artists draw inspiration from global icons like Andy Warhol and Gerhard Richter while honoring rich indigenous traditions and history. Figures such as Ai Weiwei revisit lost cultural treasures with innovative reinterpretations, Zhang Xiaogang explores identity and trauma rooted in the Cultural Revolution, and Xu Zhen provocatively critiques China’s modern industrial and spiritual paradoxes. Meanwhile, artists like Yun-Fei Ji and Yin Zhaoyang blend classical techniques with urgent social and emotional themes, reflecting China’s complex past and present. Together, these artists illuminate a dynamic cultural dialogue where heritage, modernity, and global influence intertwine.

The world can be contained – or at least mapped – in drawings, so Tania Kovats believes. Her extraordinarily complex works on paper show how an artist emerging in an age of often anti-visual conceptualism grapples with images, not words, in order to construct memory systems that encompass the world, while at the same time admitting the tenuous relationship of intention to the finished work of art. Kovats made Only Blue (UK) in 2015, before Brexit. Presciently obliterating ‘Little England’, Kovats overpainted maps depicting different parts of the United Kingdom with white gesso, leaving only the sea in its different shades of eggshell blue untouched. According to premodern writers on memory, the commemorative process transpiring from the act of reading is an ethical one because reading a book resembles a meeting of minds,  a way of making others present, reaching beyond the confines of an egoistic ‘I’. Kovats’s recapitulations of islands, or of the United Kingdom, or of greater- or lesser-sized drops of water, offer us the performance of our own reading. Reducing the United Kingdom to a collection of pure shapes, white on blue, is a simple visual method of grasping a complex abstraction – the federation of unlike peoples and places – without it becoming overwhelming. Philosopher Elizabeth Grosz once paraphrased Nietzsche as arguing that ‘a counterforgetfulness needs to be instituted’, so Kovats institutes collections, establishing drawing as an aid to counter forgetfulness. Kovats is one of over a hundred contemporary artists featured in[ Vitamin D3: Today's Best in Contemporary Drawing](https://www.phaidon.com/store/art/vitamin-d3-todays-best-in-contemporary-drawing-9781838661694/), our new, indispensable survey of contemporary drawing. We sat her down and asked her a few questions about how, why and when she draws. Only Blue (UK), 2015 by Tania Kovats Who are you and what’s on your mind right now? My name is Tania Kovats. It’s the start of the year, and I live rurally in Devon, the southwest of England. I am happy to have the weather and the season frame each day. The whole country is in lockdown due to the Covid19 pandemic. It’s quiet; a bare boned time of the year where everything is withdrawn, dark, and frozen. Right now, it’s morning so I’ve just done my yoga practice to check in with how I am. Then I walked to the top of the hill and checked in with how the day is. Despite everything going on, my head and heart is now set in a good place for the day. Today is my son’s 22nd birthday so he is much on my mind. I was awake some of the night thinking about his arrival and reflecting on the amazing young human he has become. He is a third-year medical student; and this morning he is on a placement in an ICU unit full of Covid19 patients, learning how to become a doctor. What’s your special relationship with drawing and how would you describe what you do? Drawing is where I translate my experience into something where I can see it. Drawing is where I can think and work things out. If I couldn’t draw then I couldn’t think. And I couldn’t dream. Drawing is where I communicate. First with myself, then with others.  I make drawings more than I draw drawings. I am a sculptor so I prioritise the materiality and process over the visual, what something looks like. As a maker, there is an endless pleasure to be found in an object-orientated ontology, where I might abdicate being the centre of the creative act, and instead become an agent, or catalyst to a process where the drawing makes itself. Using salt to split the ink that I pour over a hydrological chart, an atlas, or a map of the sea. I make drawings with blotting paper that soak up black ink, leaving tide lines. I flood the paper with ink and salt, a high tide, the water evaporates, the salt crystalizes. I draw towards the horizon making a Sea Mark, again and again, loading a brush and emptying a brush. The horizon between sea and sky is my favorite line, even though it isn’t even a line, it’s a curve. I draw round islands, again and again, inkblots that have a cartographic reference in the real world, that I detach them from, floating one island into a dissolved state with another. Sea Mark (Payne’s Grey), 2015, by Tania Kovats Is drawing currently undergoing a reassessment of sorts, is there an increased interest in drawing right now? Drawing is an ever-expanding field, being redefined by its multiple practitioners. There is something slippery about drawing. I think drawing enjoys not being at the centre of things. It is traditionally seen as preliminary, a generator, not an end in itself. It comes first, with something more ‘important’ to follow. Because it isn’t at the centre it becomes the weapon of choice to explore more elusive or marginalised areas of expression, experience and consciousness. Drawing is more portable, affordable, resilient, and direct. Because you can still make a drawing in the most precarious of circumstances it becomes a tool of activists, a vehicle to explore different value systems, a medium of radicalism, of feminism, a testing place, the incubator, the most democratic of art forms, and an art form that is a little less enslaved to the market place.   What are the hardest things for you to get ‘right’ and why? I think one of the hardest things is just that - worrying about getting it ‘right’ and working out whose terms or internal logic are judging and active in the drawing. Trusting the process to resolve itself one way or another, and recognising when you need to walk away, wait for something wet to dry, or throw it out. It’s hard to cultivate patience, making the time to draw more. It’s a practice, which means you have to practice, and do it again and again. I draw the body from the inside out. I draw how my spine feels as energy explodes up and down it. Through drawing the invisible becomes visible and communicable. Once I’ve made a drawing I often end up in a battle around privacy, what drawings I can bare sharing. There are other drawings I make, towards sculptures that have to be shared, they have a job to do that is part of the build of understanding and making. They have to be ‘right’ in a different way.    Is the apparent immediacy or directness of drawing part of its appeal for you? I like the way you can find your way into a drawing, as they often tell the story of their making. And I trust that that one drawing can speak to another. The drawings of the past speak to the drawings of the present and the future. Drawings move through time free of some of the connoisseurship that securely locates other art forms. The drawings made by an engineer or a surgeon or an explorer or an archaeologist or a child can also make conversation with each other in this gloriously open-ended form. Can you explain the difference between drawing as a child - something we can all relate to and drawing as an artist - something most of us cannot? I think of drawing as the most accessible art form and I love the drawings children make! Drawings are often very connected to purpose and direct acts of communication so are relatable. Drawings can also represent some of the most complex, sophisticated, veiled, philosophically demanding thoughts we have so the full range of challenge is here. There has to be space for a drawing to drift into areas that are not immediately accessible, with ambiguous or shifting status that resists interpretation, a drawing that is just itself. What does a drawing mean? or what does a drawing do? are questions that can’t be applied to all drawings, nor should they be& All the Islands of All the Seas, 2017, by Tania Kovats What do most people overlook when they think about drawing or attempt to ‘assess’ it? I am a maker, so I like to try and understand how a drawing has been made, then why it has been made. Then how does it make me feel. I think about these things possibly before ‘assessing’ what a drawing looks like. If the reason for why it has been made combines well with how it has been made, and I can find a way into what it is trying to communicate, then the drawing is worth thinking about. Drawings tell stories well, the story of their making, the time and state of their making, what they witness, what they hide or reveal. When do you draw and what sort of physical, spiritual, mental or geographical place do you have to be in generally for it to work? Sometimes I make drawings that imagine things to come, plan and explain things that I am going to make; those drawings have a job to do. This order of drawing might help me remember, understand, apply thinking, analyse and evaluate and make sense of an experience, and create something. I can make these anywhere, even in front of people.  I also have drawings that are made according to certain systems and logic that I develop in series. For these drawings I just have to make space and time in the studio, a task that needs my attention. Then there is another sort of drawing I make where drawing and meditation are intertwined practices for me. Drawing is like breathing and dreaming. I draw with my breath. These drawings pass through me. In the deceleration time of drawing there is an opening in the stream of thoughts and emotions that my mind is cluttered with. Through drawing I try to evolve, develop perspective, distance, and intimacy, and just be. It is where I locate my courageous liquid self. This is when I know drawing is my home. It is my solitude. It is where I am myself.

The Vitamin D3-featured artist describes the great accessibility of drawing, her childhood influences and how she knows when a picture is finished

Nathaniel Mary Quinn’s art captures the emotional essence of people from his memories through fragmented, visceral portraits that challenge traditional representation. His striking work, like *Big Rabbit, Little Rabbit* (2017), explores his complex relationship with family, identity, and survival amidst hardship, drawing inspiration from his father’s resilience and his mother’s support. Quinn views drawing as a liberating force, a precise and spiritual practice that balances vulnerability with relentless dedication. Despite battling deep insecurities, he embraces the immediacy of drawing as a direct, emotional expression that transcends intellectual barriers. Working daily in his home studio, Quinn’s process is both disciplined and intimate, driven by passion and the pursuit of mastery. Featured in *Vitamin D3: Today’s Best in Contemporary Drawing*, his work invites us to reconsider the power and skill behind drawing as a profound means of personal and artistic expression.

Mauro Giaconi, an Argentine visual artist and former architecture student, explores the dynamic interplay between presence and absence through his drawing and performative works. His 2017 exhibition ‘Felicidad’ showcased a visceral engagement with materials—shattering graphite-coated concrete cubes to reveal hidden patterns—inviting audiences to experience drawing as both a physical and conceptual act. Drawing for Giaconi is more than a technique; it is a lifelong strategy intertwined with exploration, play, and cultural militancy, bridging personal expression and collective collaboration. Challenging the notion of immediacy often attributed to drawing, his complex, multi-layered images reveal new details upon closer viewing, emphasizing scale and embodiment. Reflecting on drawing’s enduring relevance, Giaconi sees it as a ubiquitous, democratic form of communication rooted in everyday life across diverse cultures and histories. As one of over a hundred artists featured in Phaidon’s *Vitamin D3: Today's Best in Contemporary Drawing*, he continues to push the boundaries of the discipline, balancing meticulous repetition with openness to failure and audience interpretation, all while navigating the shifting rhythms of life and artistic production.

Rachel Goodyear’s drawings invite viewers into a mysterious and intimate world where solitary female figures engage in enigmatic, often surreal actions that blur the lines between the subconscious and reality. Her delicate, small-scale works explore themes of psychological states, nature, and the human condition with a balance of playfulness and macabre undertones. Goodyear describes drawing as a meditative, instinctive process that captures fleeting moments and fragments of thought, allowing her to navigate ambiguity and emotional complexity. Featured in Phaidon’s *Vitamin D3: Today’s Best in Contemporary Drawing*, her work emphasizes the unique power of drawing to hold both what is seen and what is left unfinished, inviting the imagination beyond the edges of the page.

This Vitamin D3 artist describes her peripatetic childhood, her need for solitude and why she thinks drawing is often like pushing a tractor up a hill

White is far more than a neutral backdrop; it is a powerful, complex color laden with cultural and emotional significance, from sacred rites to life’s milestones and artistic expression. This article explores how six contemporary artists harness white’s dual nature—its capacity to conceal and reveal, erase and create—to challenge perceptions and evoke profound themes such as structural racism, creative block, memory, and transformation. From John Baldessari’s playful obfuscation of imagery to Angela de la Cruz’s meditation on artistic frustration, from Dread Scott’s provocative critique of race and art to Jan Yoors’s poignant portrayal of a bride’s threshold moment, each work invites us to reconsider white not as emptiness but as a vibrant presence. Thomas Bangsted’s snow-blanketed ruins and Max Bill’s geometric abstractions further reveal white’s haunting beauty and metaphysical depth, making this collection a compelling testament to white’s power to both illuminate and unsettle.

Vitamin D3: Today's Best in Contemporary Drawing celebrates the enduring power and evolving relevance of drawing as an artistic medium in the 21st century. Showcasing 100 outstanding contemporary artists selected by over 70 global experts, this vibrant survey captures a wide range of styles and themes—from the intimate reflections inspired by the pandemic to urgent social and ecological commentaries. Featuring artists like Christina Quarles, Rashid Johnson, and Deniz Aktas, the book offers insightful analysis alongside stunning visuals, making it an essential resource for art professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike who wish to explore the dynamic and timeless world of contemporary drawing.

As 2020 draws to a close, Artspace reflects on a year marked by profound artistic insights and resilient creativity amid unprecedented global challenges. Through interviews with leading contemporary artists, museum directors, and cultural visionaries, voices emerged sharing reflections on fatherhood, environmentalism, social movements like Black Lives Matter and Occupy, and the transformative power of art during the pandemic. From Rob Pruitt’s thoughtful panda narratives to Genesis Tramaine’s expansive spirituality, Eric Fischl’s vivid memories of 1980s New York, and Marcel Dzama’s enchanting cast of characters, the year’s conversations offer a rich tapestry of personal experience and social consciousness. Amid themes of hope, change, and collaboration, artists and curators alike underscore the vital role of creativity in navigating our shared human experience, inspiring us to pause, reflect, and look forward to a future shaped by renewed optimism and connection.

During lockdown, artist Colby Mugrabi found unexpected inspiration on a beach walk that sparked her creative new series, Consumerism Ashore, where she hand-paints iconic brand logos onto seashells. Blending natural beauty with bold graphic design, her work explores the fascinating contrast between the organic and the manufactured, evoking nostalgia with beloved logos from IKEA to Blockbuster. Using vibrant acrylics and carefully selected shells, Colby has crafted over 200 unique pieces, each one a playful yet thoughtful reflection on consumer culture, color, and memory. With endless ideas flowing—from sports teams to candy brands—this innovative fusion of art and nature is just getting started, inviting fans to connect with everyday brands in a fresh, whimsical way.

Humor in art, far from being mere frivolity, plays a vital role in challenging societal norms and exploring complex themes like alienation, power, and identity. This curated collection showcases six contemporary artists whose works use wit and satire to engage with difficult topics ranging from body taboos and racial histories to the absurdities of the art world and the enigmatic nature of communication. From David Shrigley’s playful yet provocative takes on nudity and authority to Nari Ward’s poignant reflection on racial legacy through “canned smiles,” and from Amy Sillman’s sharp critique of art world clichés to Nan Goldin’s intimate, joyous self-portrait, each piece invites us to consider laughter not just as a release but as a form of resistance and freedom. Jake and Dinos Chapman’s “The Banality of Evil” and Mariana García’s humorous yet thought-provoking photograph of a seemingly smiling horse further underscore humor’s power to provoke reflection on conformity, language, and the limits of understanding, reminding us that jokes—and the laughter they provoke—are as complex and varied as life itself.

During the lockdown, Spring Studios sparked a creative movement inviting photographers to capture inspiring images from home, fostering hope and solidarity during challenging times. Drawing inspiration from André Kertész’s intimate still lifes taken from his apartment, the initiative #shotathome showcased powerful works from acclaimed artists like Craig McDean, Camilla Akrans, and Mark Seliger, revealing how creativity persists beyond industry constraints. Now presented in an immersive virtual gallery, this collection not only celebrates resilience and artistic vision but also supports the British Fashion Council’s Covid Crisis fund, helping sustain creative fashion businesses through the pandemic. The exhibition offers a unique 360-degree experience, blending art and technology, while featuring personal stories from photographers like Paolo Zerbini, who reflect on their quarantine journeys and renewed creative processes.

Adam Pendleton is a contemporary artist deeply engaged with history and transformation, using art to explore identity through abstraction and layering. His latest limited-edition silkscreen, Untitled (Mask), 2020, reinterprets a Dan mask from Liberia, capturing the mask’s power to distract and transfigure identity. Pendleton’s work, including his influential Black Dada series, blends text and image to challenge historical narratives and civil rights discourse, emphasizing a fluid and ongoing conversation between past and future. Known for his striking monochrome palette and experimental approach, he brings a haunting, elusive presence to his art that invites viewers into a space of continual becoming. Pendleton’s upcoming MoMA exhibition, Who is Queen, responds to movements like Occupy and Black Lives Matter, reflecting on collectivity and social change through a multimedia experience. Beyond his art, he is also committed to preserving cultural history, exemplified by his role in saving Nina Simone’s childhood home. Throughout his practice, Pendleton embraces complexity, ambiguity, and the power of abstraction to challenge perception and provoke thought.

Exploring the multifaceted nature of giving, this article presents six compelling artworks that delve into the themes of generosity, sacrifice, love, and gratitude. From Lydia Blakeley’s poignant portrayal of sisterhood and support in “Charities” to Marc Chagall’s tender and vulnerable depiction of love in “The Birthday,” each piece invites reflection on what it truly means to give. Nir Hod’s striking “Soldiers” confronts the ultimate sacrifice of life in war, while Jeremy Deller’s “Thank God for Immigrants” celebrates the invaluable contributions of immigrants during crises, challenging societal prejudices. Trenton Doyle Hancock’s “Give Me My Flowers While I Yet Live” urges us to express appreciation before it’s too late, and Lawrence Weiner’s conceptual “Give & Get” provokes thought on the complexities of exchange and understanding. Together, these works offer a rich meditation on how acts of giving shape human connection and meaning beyond material gifts.

Thirty years ago, John Carlin, an East Village art critic turned entertainment lawyer, co-founded Red Hot, a groundbreaking nonprofit that transformed AIDS activism through multimedia projects, music, and art. Driven by personal loss and a passion for digital culture, Carlin collaborated with avant-garde artists like David Wojnarowicz and Keith Haring, creating iconic campaigns such as the Red Hot + Blue albums and influential T-shirt lines by renowned designers and visual artists. Today, to mark the 30th anniversary, limited edition T-shirts and tote bags featuring Wojnarowicz’s and Jenny Holzer’s powerful designs are reissued, with all proceeds supporting the New York City AIDS Memorial. Reflecting on the painful yet proud legacy of Red Hot, Carlin draws a poignant parallel between past and present public health challenges, reminding us that activism and community protection remain as vital today as ever.

Derrick Adams’ vibrant Floater series, featuring joyful depictions of African American figures lounging on whimsical pool floats, has inspired a unique collaboration with luxury swimwear brand Vilebrequin. What began as a casual studio wish quickly became reality when Vilebrequin reached out to bring Adams’ striking imagery to life on swim trunks and tote bags, making his art more accessible beyond galleries and museums. Described as “capturing the essence of black joy,” the series challenges traditional narratives by presenting leisure as a radical act, inviting viewers to reflect on cultural representation. Now concluding the Floater series, Adams looks forward to exploring new creative chapters, but continues to celebrate moments of reflection and community—where better than floating peacefully by the water with family in Sag Harbor after the pandemic? This collaboration is a vibrant fusion of art, culture, and swimwear that extends Adams’ mission to normalize diverse black experiences while making bold, wearable art statements.

Marcel Proust famously described adolescence as a chaotic time driven not by reason but by spontaneity and self-discovery, a sentiment echoed through art and literature across centuries. This rich period of life, full of raw emotion, physical beauty, and burgeoning identity, has long captivated artists, from Degas and Diane Arbus to contemporary creators. Highlighting six works that capture the essence of youth, the article explores iconic representations—from Larry Clark’s gritty American teenagers immersed in counterculture, to Keith Farquhar’s modern hoodie symbolizing evolving youth subcultures, to Magdalena Wosinska’s sun-soaked, playful snapshots of youthful exuberance. It also delves into Rami Maymon’s classical and erotic interplay, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen’s intimate ghostly portraits of working-class young couples grappling with hardship, and Collier Schorr’s contemplative portrayal of a young cowboy wrestling with inherited ideals of masculinity. Together, these works celebrate the fleeting brilliance and turbulent complexities of adolescence, embodying both nostalgia and the unvarnished truths of growing up.

Literature and art have long explored the multifaceted figure of the mother, weaving archetypes from the nurturing to the troubled, the divine to the deeply human. This article delves into contemporary artistic interpretations that embody motherhood as both sanctuary and source of pain, moving beyond stereotypes to embrace complexity. Featuring works by renowned artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Tracey Emin’s haunting collaboration, Yoko Ono’s intimate portraits, and Peter Blake’s pop-infused Madonna, each piece challenges and redefines maternal imagery. From Joan Snyder’s raw confrontation of maternal anger to Marcel Dzama’s enigmatic maternal authority, and Mamma Andersson’s evocative homage to ancient mother goddesses, these artworks place mothers center stage, celebrating their enduring yet evolving presence in culture and consciousness.

Exploring the profound impact of color on the human psyche, this article delves into how artists across mediums harness vibrant hues to evoke emotion, light, and meaning. From Popel Coumou’s luminous analogue photography capturing abstract, hyper-real scenes to Serge Hamad’s deeply personal, abstracted horizons born from childhood curiosity, color becomes a vessel for memory and perception. Jo Bradford’s meticulous cameraless photography tames nature’s wild light into prismatic intensity, while Angela Bulloch’s innovative use of light and form creates dynamic, shifting color experiences that bridge math and aesthetics. Meanwhile, Ross Bleckner’s evocative patterns reflect biological realities, and Meredith Allen’s vivid, nostalgic images immortalize fleeting moments colored by optimism. Together, these works invite us to brighten the darker months with the transformative power of color as art and soul converge.

Winter holds a unique power to transform the world, blanketing it in snow, stilling rivers, and enveloping us in cold and darkness, evoking both awe and reflection. Across history, winter has inspired festivals, art, and literature—capturing its stark beauty, isolation, and fleeting moments of warmth. This collection celebrates winter through diverse contemporary works: from Matt Eich’s evocative thawing road hinting at uncertain returns, to Silke Otto-Knapp’s delicate frost flowers woven into cozy textiles; from David Hockney’s vibrant iPad scenes illuminating crisp December mornings to Adam Ekberg’s striking image of a sparkler blazing on a frozen lake, symbolizing fragile hope amid cold vastness. Sculpture and print art deepen the exploration, with Donald Baechler’s somber bronze tree embodying winter’s quiet restraint, while Kenny Scharf’s exuberant skier revels in the season’s joyous escape. Together, these pieces invite us to embrace the beauty, transience, and moods of winter’s captivating embrace.

From the ethereal swirls of Van Gogh’s Starry Night to the sublime dissolving horizons of JMW Turner, the sky has long inspired artists to capture its transcendent beauty and meaning. Contemporary creatives continue this tradition with evocative works that explore the interplay of light, nature, and atmosphere. Brazilian photographer Marcos Vilas Boas’s long-exposure seascapes distill shifting weather into moments of serene stillness, while Japanese artist Rinko Kawauchi captures fleeting natural phenomena with delicate reverence. Tomás Saraceno’s visionary installations reimagine human habitation among the clouds, blending art, science, and environmentalism. Hiroji Kubota’s historic photographs reveal quiet grace amid global upheavals, and Ralf Peters’s bold, abstracted landscapes evoke romantic yearnings for nature’s vibrant, elusive spirit. Together, these artists celebrate the sky as a source of light, mystery, and profound connection to our world.

Red, the first color mastered and manipulated by humans, holds a powerful place throughout history and art, symbolizing everything from love and passion to danger and death. Michel Pastoureau’s study traces its vibrant journey from prehistoric cave paintings to modern canvases, illustrating red’s deep cultural resonance. Across time, red has adorned revolutionary flags, religious robes, and iconic sports uniforms, while inspiring artists such as Alex Katz, General Idea, and Nan Goldin to explore its complexity. Whether in Katz’s delicate, thornless roses suggesting the bittersweet nature of love, or General Idea’s skull-adorned red banner confronting mortality and political paradoxes, red pulses with emotional and symbolic intensity. Photographers like Moyra Davey and Wolfgang Tillmans capture its intimate, life-affirming presence, while Mary Heilmann’s depiction evokes red’s auspicious power in Eastern tradition. Together, these works reveal red as a color that transcends mere pigment—embodying desire, danger, vitality, and fortune in every shade.

From ancient cave paintings venerating trees to contemporary art installations bursting with lush botanicals, plants have long inspired artists across centuries and styles. This article explores the evolving relationship between nature and art, highlighting key figures like Picasso, whose minimalist yet bold plant-themed linocuts from the 1960s contrast with the intricate geometric forms of Marianne Hendriks and the layered, tranquil floral visions of Ed Baynard. It also celebrates Elisabeth Condon’s futuristic botanical landscapes and the immersive, multi-sensory plant worlds created by Florentine & Alexandre Lamarche-Ovize, showing how greenery continues to captivate and heal in our modern, concrete-filled existence.

Throughout history, the moon has captivated human imagination as a symbol of mystery, ambition, and beauty, inspiring worship, folklore, and artistic expression across cultures. This article explores how contemporary artists engage with the moon’s enigmatic presence in diverse ways—from Spencer Finch’s hidden photographic shadow capturing fleeting moments of memory, to Hernan Bas’s evocative portrait of an albino youth bathed in silvery lunar light challenging societal norms. It highlights Thomas Broadbent’s whimsical lunar landscape commemorating the Apollo landing, Poppy de Villeneuve’s exploration of artificial moonlight in urban spaces, and Susan Hiller’s haunting collage of stormy seas illustrating the moon’s powerful tidal influence. Finally, Betina Samaia’s nocturnal desert scene ponders humanity’s place in the cosmos as Joshua trees reach toward the moonlit sky, weaving together themes of reverence, conquest, and the sublime allure of Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor.

In the wake of the devastating Beirut explosion on August 4, the city's vibrant art community has rallied to rebuild lives and preserve its rich cultural heritage. Photographer Tarek Moukaddem, whose haunting images capture Beirut’s underground nightlife, shares his personal ordeal of losing his home and studio amid the chaos. Alongside four other women in the creative sector, he helped launch the "Dear Beirut" benefit auction on Artspace, featuring nearly 70 artworks by international and Lebanese artists. Proceeds support Offrejoie, a local NGO dedicated to rehabilitating neighborhoods hardest hit by the blast, where marginalized communities and artists have suffered immense loss. Despite the ongoing financial crisis and lack of government support, this resilient artistic movement channels grief into action, urging the world to stand with Beirut through art, solidarity, and sustained advocacy.

New York-based artist Iman Raad blends influences from Persian and Mughal painting, South-Asian Truck art, and internet image culture to create vibrant, mural-like installations that pulsate with color, altered perspectives, and glitch-like repetitions. His work, often dreamlike and layered with mythologies, navigates the anxieties of existence and fractured communication shaped by his hybrid identity and migration experience. Raad’s contribution to the Dear Beirut auction—a color reduction woodcut print titled *At This Table We Breach*—reflects his deep empathy for communities affected by the Beirut explosion, using bright, primary colors inspired by traditional crafts and vernacular art. Through his art, he seeks to connect people during times of catastrophe, embodying collective feelings and offering a sense of unity beyond words, while the watchful eyes in his paintings challenge viewers with a gaze that evokes existential reflection.

Exploring the supernatural through the lens of contemporary art, this article delves into how artists reinterpret ghostly and eerie themes to reflect deep cultural anxieties and the human psyche. From James Rielly’s haunting depiction of childhood fears in “Ghosts working with fears and inhibitions” to Rachel Whiteread’s ghostly plaster cast of a Victorian room encapsulating the lingering presence of past inhabitants, the works challenge our notions of the unseen. Cindy Sherman’s unsettling portrait of the witch probes identity and societal fears, while Albert Oehlen’s provocative print satirizes religious hypocrisy with a demonic infant. Monster Chetwynd’s “Bat Opera” dramatizes misunderstood creatures of the night, and Peter Blake’s “Day of the Skeletons” resurrects ancient ancestors beneath modern London, blending history and myth with contemporary concerns. Together, these pieces reveal how the supernatural continues to inspire reflection on identity, belief, and the shadows within us all.

Psychedelia, while often associated with the vibrant, boundary-dissolving art of the 1960s, draws on a rich, diverse lineage from visionary artists like William Blake to movements such as Surrealism and Op-Art. The genre’s vivid colors, warped perspectives, and surreal imagery first coalesced in the psychedelic rock culture of the West Coast, with trailblazers like Wes Wilson and Victor Moscoso defining an era through album art and posters. Today, psychedelia’s influence thrives across contemporary art and fashion, from Dries Van Noten’s immersive shows to Gucci’s retro-inspired collections. Featured artists like Christopher Moss, Kenny Scharf, Marc Quinn, Thomas Ruff, Takashi Murakami, and Carlos Cruz-Diez each bring their unique lens to the genre, pushing its boundaries with cartoonish absurdity, intricate patterns, surreal distortions, and avant-garde techniques—inviting viewers to experience the mind-bending, kaleidoscopic world of psychedelia anew.

Simone Leigh has broken through many barriers to become a pioneering force in contemporary art, famously blending African, African-American, and Caribbean cultural signifiers in her powerful sculptures and installations. Without formal art school training, Leigh’s work centers on the experiences and histories of Black women, drawing on feminist and post-colonial theory to create deeply resonant pieces that challenge racial stereotypes and celebrate strength and beauty. From her monumental bronze sculpture Brick House on the High Line to her upcoming presentation at the 2022 Venice Art Biennale—where she is the first Black woman to represent the USA—Leigh’s art offers a vibrant, auto-ethnographic narrative that intertwines past traumas with visions of an empowered future.

Canadian artist Marcel Dzama masterfully blends folk vernacular, art history, and contemporary influences to create a surreal universe filled with whimsical, otherworldly characters and dreamlike narratives. Drawing inspiration from Inuit art, nature, and his experiences growing up in Winnipeg, Dzama’s intricately detailed ink drawings explore the blurry line between reality and the subconscious. Recently, he released a limited-edition print, *The Illumination of the sisters of paradise*, conceived during quarantine as a visual escape to distant lands and a reimagined Garden of Eden. This work supports RxART, a nonprofit that uses visual art to help children heal. Throughout his career, Dzama has embraced various media, including film and stage design, while maintaining his signature ink drawings that pulse with humor, mystery, and a deep emotional resonance. His work continues to evolve, reflecting personal experiences, political undercurrents, and a lifelong passion for storytelling that captivates both art lovers and musicians alike.

RxART, founded by Diane Brown two decades ago, transforms sterile hospital environments into vibrant, inspiring spaces by collaborating with renowned contemporary artists like KAWS, Jonas Wood, and Marcel Dzama. This non-profit has completed over 50 projects across nearly 40 hospitals in 21 U.S. cities, using art to make hospital visits less intimidating and more uplifting for children, families, and staff alike. By integrating artworks into departments such as radiology and emergency rooms, RxART creates comforting, imaginative escapes that ease anxiety and bring joy, as reflected in heartfelt testimonies from patients and healthcare workers. With each project produced at no cost to hospitals and deep artist engagement, RxART exemplifies how art can heal, inspire, and transform the clinical experience.

Collage, a versatile and dynamic art form rooted in early 20th-century techniques, continues to captivate audiences with its blend of raw accessibility and profound artistic expression. From its origins in deconstructed paper scraps to its modern resurgence in contemporary work, collage has evolved through diverse styles and cultural narratives, as seen in the striking creations of artists like Filippo Imbrighi, Charles Wilkin, Naomi Vona, Aaron Wexler, and Jamie Brunson. These artists use collage to tell compelling stories, explore human nature, and reinterpret reality through layered textures, bold colors, and innovative materials. Whether reflecting personal histories, societal commentary, or spiritual journeys, their works demonstrate how collage remains a powerful medium for visual storytelling and artistic experimentation today.

This article explores the complex and often contradictory nature of money through the lens of contemporary art, showcasing six provocative works that challenge our understanding of currency as both a commodity and a social construct. From Cildo Meireles’ “Zero Dollar,” a counterfeit banknote that questions the power and value of the US dollar, to Virginia Lee Montgomery’s “Glitch Coin,” a flawed penny symbolizing institutional glitches, the pieces delve into monetary symbolism and its societal implications. Sebastião Salgado’s haunting photograph of the Serra Pelada gold mine exposes the harsh labor behind gold’s allure, while Raymond Pettibon’s enigmatic lithograph hints at money’s role in shaping lives and moral ambiguity. Jenny Holzer’s “Money Creates Taste” critiques the art market and social aspirations tied to wealth, and Ryan Gander’s “Tremendous potential but limited opportunity” reimagines Monopoly pieces to highlight the gritty reality behind property development. Together, these works invite us to rethink money not just as economic value but as a potent reflection of power, culture, and human experience.

The history of photography is deeply intertwined with architectural imagery, capturing buildings not just as functional structures but as cultural symbols and works of art. Featured artists on Artspace highlight this dynamic relationship, from Andrew Prokos’s haunting night shots of Brasilia’s modernist cathedral, Reinhard Görner’s atmospheric library interiors that evoke a bygone era of knowledge and silence, to Denise Scott Brown’s vibrant visual studies of Las Vegas’s urban landscape. Mikkel Johnsen’s surreal collages challenge perceptions of industrial relics, while Wim Wenders brings a cinematic quality to urban solitude in Los Angeles. Francesco Romero’s exploration of Brutalist decay through the lens of music-inspired minimalism completes this diverse celebration of architecture as a source of storytelling, memory, and artistic innovation.

The history of art is deeply intertwined with images of monarchy, from ancient statues and royal portraits to contemporary reinterpretations by modern artists. While monarchy's prominence in visual culture has waned with the rise of democracy, artists continue to explore the complex humanity behind regal figures, revealing their vulnerabilities and private lives. This collection features works ranging from Marc Chagall’s intimate depiction of King David lost in music, to Richard Prince’s ironic Instagram portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and David Nash’s enigmatic stenciled royals that blur past and future. Hung Liu’s haunting portrayal of China’s last emperor captures a life marked by exile and tragedy, while Jonas Mekas’ film of Elvis Presley frames pop royalty in a mythic light. Banksy’s subversive £10 note replaces the Queen with Princess Diana, commenting on media, image, and power. Together, these pieces reflect the enduring fascination with royalty—not as untouchable icons, but as deeply human figures caught in the tides of history, fame, and mortality.

Exploring the elusive nature of time, this article delves into how contemporary artists interpret its passage, challenging traditional notions of linearity and measurement. From Ugo Rondinone’s handless clock that syncs with natural light rather than standardized hours, to Jonathan Monk’s enigmatic banner promising a meeting “somewhere soon” in an unspecified future, the works prompt us to reconsider how time anchors our experience. Zoe Leonard’s photograph of a shuttered photo lab nostalgically reflects on obsolescence amid rapid technological change, while Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s extended calendar blurs seasonal and temporal boundaries, evoking a ghostly, spectral temporality. Sean Paul’s depiction of the Doomsday Clock reminds us of humanity’s precarious place in history, teetering on the edge of catastrophe. Finally, Rob Pruitt’s playful yet poignant print about giant pandas contrasts their slow, enduring existence with human urgency, questioning how we allocate our precious moments amid the distractions of modern life. Together, these works invite reflection on time as both a constructed framework and a lived, sensory reality.

Contemporary portraiture offers a unique way to bring a sense of everyday intimacy and human connection into your home while enriching your art collection. From Elizabeth Peyton’s tender portrayal of Timothée Chalamet’s Elio to Alex Katz’s graceful duos, these works capture both familiar and lesser-known faces with striking emotion and presence. Photographers like Nan Goldin and Micaiah Carter highlight raw, unfiltered moments that challenge stereotypes and celebrate individuality, while artists such as Mario Sorrenti and Jonathan Yeo reveal the vulnerability and fresh perspectives behind iconic figures. This collection is a vibrant mix of styles and stories, capturing fleeting intimacies and powerful relationships that invite viewers to experience the essence of human connection.

Optical art is experiencing a vibrant revival, blending historical influences with contemporary innovation. From Camille Walala’s bold urban interventions to gallery shows like Tornabuoni Art’s ‘Dynamic Visions’ revisiting Sixties Kinetic and Op Art, the movement continues to captivate. Celebrated figures like Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely remain central, while newer voices such as Matt Neuman and Paul Amundarain bring fresh perspectives, often infusing political and cultural narratives into the hypnotic, illusionistic style. These artists explore perception, color, and pattern to evoke movement and depth, pushing viewers to reconsider the instability of reality and the optimism found in transformation. Whether through Riley’s iconic stripes or Amundarain’s multi-dimensional cityscapes, Op Art’s dynamic energy and powerful visual rhythms remain a compelling force in contemporary art.

Trevor Paglen’s new exhibition, Bloom, at Pace London, emerges as a timely reflection on the fragility of life, society, and technology in an era marked by isolation and surveillance. Created during quarantine, the show intertwines themes of mourning and natural resurgence with the pervasive impact of AI, facial recognition, and digital oversight, exploring how these technologies shape our world and perceptions. Paglen delves into the politicized nature of abstraction and data, revealing the compromised origins of machine learning datasets rooted in coercion and bias. Yet, amidst these unsettling realities, Bloom also gestures toward the potential for societal reckoning and transformation, underscoring a cautious hope sparked by collective efforts to envision a more just and equitable future.

Interest in suburban living has surged recently in cities like New York, London, and San Francisco, challenging the notion that suburbs lack the cultural depth of inner cities. Far from being mere residential sprawl, suburbs have historically been playgrounds for innovation and social experiments, shaped by diverse visionaries from Quakers to Bauhaus pioneers. Artists such as Lois Gross Smiley capture the natural essence of suburban landscapes, while photographers like Dru Hetrick and Alejandro Cartagena reveal the nuanced beauty and sometimes stark realities of suburban America and Mexico. Meanwhile, activists and creators like JR and Ben Sack explore the complex social fabric and architectural narratives of suburbs, blending realism with abstraction to redefine what these spaces mean today. These works celebrate the vibrant, often overlooked spirit of suburban life, inviting us to reconsider its place in the contemporary urban experience.

Cartoons, once dismissed as mere juvenile sketches, have a rich history rooted in utility and satire, evolving into a powerful global art form that shaped generations of artists and viewers alike. From the vibrant, politically charged works of Kenny Scharf and the layered pop culture explorations of Keith Young to the symbolic chaos in Canyon Castator’s figures, cartoons blend playful imagery with deep social and emotional resonance. Artists like Erik Hanson transform iconic characters like Bluto into meditations on forgiveness and complexity, while Raymond Pettibon’s punk-inspired drawings fuse pop culture with philosophical bite. Andy Warhol's 1981 "Myths" series further cements cartoon icons like Superman as enduring symbols of personal and cultural identity, proving that cartoons hold a lasting, dynamic place in the world of fine art.

Fashion weeks in New York and London may look different this year with more digital showcases and fewer physical events, but the excitement of fresh fashion remains alive. This article highlights a curated selection of fashion-themed artworks that celebrate style and creativity across decades. From Hormazd Narielwalla’s homage to Coco Chanel and Eddie Peake’s provocative reworking of Vogue pages, to Patrick Nagel’s iconic power-dressing illustrations and Andy Warhol’s pop-art inspired Souper Dress, each piece tells a story. The collection also features striking photography by Juergen Teller, Ellen von Unwerth’s empowering portraits, rare shots of Kate Moss by Mario Sorrenti, and Grace Coddington’s whimsical fashion drawings. Together, these works offer a vibrant and intimate look at fashion’s enduring influence and artistic expression.

Urban life pulses with a dynamic energy that transcends geography, yet every city tells its own unique story. From Saul Steinberg’s satirical New Yorker cover capturing Manhattan’s parochial gaze, to Peter Bialobrzeski’s haunting photograph of Shanghai’s “nail houses” resisting relentless modernization, these artistic visions explore the multifaceted nature of cities. Arthur Jafa’s LA HAZE I confronts invisibility and loss in South Los Angeles, while Scott King reimagines London’s Trafalgar Square as a space demanding a reckoning with history. Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Wrapped Reichstag celebrates democracy’s fragile promise, and William Eggleston’s Atlanta snapshot finds beauty in everyday urban moments. Finally, Matthew Day Jackson’s apocalyptic maps remind us that cities bear the scars of history’s darkest events and the ominous potential of future destruction. Together, these works paint a vivid portrait of cities as ever-changing, contested, and deeply human landscapes.

As summer fades and autumn’s golden light begins to transform the landscape, artists find renewed inspiration in the shifting season’s rich colors and moods. From David Hockney’s glowing Yorkshire trees rendered through digital techniques to Douglas Coupland’s vibrant palette influenced by Japanese culture, the autumnal theme weaves through diverse artistic expressions. Mary Heilmann captures the rhythmic patterns and coastal journeys in her abstract works, while Salvador Dalí’s late lithographs reflect a poignant beauty amid fading life. Suzanne Caporael channels the dynamic forces of nature itself, depicting autumn’s celestial shifts with a fluid energy. Together, these artists celebrate autumn as a time of transition, creativity, and enduring wonder.

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment, which secured women’s right to vote in the United States. Marking its centenary amid a renewed reckoning with issues of identity, representation, and power, especially within the arts, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by institutions grappling with diversity and inclusion. This celebration also shines a light on influential contemporary artists like Mickalene Thomas, Lisa Corrine Davis, Carrie Mae Weems, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, and Elizabeth Catlett, whose works explore themes of race, gender, resilience, and social justice through bold, innovative, and deeply personal visual narratives. Their art not only challenges historic inequities but also elevates voices and stories that have long been marginalized, underscoring the evolving dialogue around equality and creativity today.

The ocean, covering 70% of Earth’s surface and the cradle of life itself, continues to captivate artists with its vast mystery and elemental power. From Robert Longo’s striking print juxtaposing a stormy sea with a glowing chandelier, to Rachel Sussman’s evocative photograph of ancient Antarctic moss clinging to life for millennia, the sea serves as a profound symbol of time, endurance, and wonder. Nan Goldin’s intimate portrait of a figure floating in tropical waters evokes a tranquil return to our primordial origins, while Hiroshi Sugimoto’s long-exposure seascapes capture the timeless, boundary-less meeting of sky and ocean. Richard Phillips’ hyperrealist print of Lindsay Lohan merges fleeting celebrity with the eternal horizon, reflecting on fame and mortality. Finally, Jeremy Deller’s lithograph featuring an intelligent octopus reading about humanity’s flaws hints at the sea’s alien intelligence and our fraught relationship with this vast, ancient world. Together, these works reveal the ocean as a place of magic, memory, and relentless reflection on our place within nature.

Exploring beyond traditional art forms, Artspace’s New Media collection showcases innovative works that challenge conventional categories like prints and sculpture. From Doug Aitken’s transformative multi-channel video installations to Katja Loher’s organic video sculptures that blend technology with nature, this collection invites collectors to embrace bold, multimedia art experiences. Highlights include Rodarte’s collaboration with experimental punk band No Age in a unique vinyl release, Tracey Emin’s evocative text-based video narratives, Dana Levy’s poignant assemblages reflecting dualities of past and present, and Holly Blakey’s groundbreaking dance-video hybrids that redefine contemporary performance. Each piece reimagines artistic expression, offering engaging, impactful alternatives for those ready to expand their collection beyond the familiar.

Wolfgang Tillmans, the German photographer known for his unique blend of intimate club scenes, everyday moments, and abstract imagery, shares his journey from a teenager uninterested in photography to an influential contemporary artist. In this revealing interview, Tillmans discusses his early fascination with newspaper photos, his experimental approach using photocopiers, and the profound impact of club culture on his work. He reflects on the tension between control and impermanence in photography, the personal tragedy of losing his partner Jochen to AIDS, and the ethical dimensions that shape his art. With a distinct installation style that blurs the lines between high art and everyday media, Tillmans creates immersive environments that invite viewers to connect with their own experiences, making his work both deeply personal and widely accessible.

Mark Bradford’s art emerges from a deeply personal and communal history rooted in his mother’s beauty shop in Los Angeles, a space that was both a sanctuary and a stage for intimate stories of struggle, resilience, and identity in the Black community. From navigating the complexities of race, gender, and violence in his youth to exploring themes of policy, displacement, and social injustice through large-scale abstract works, Bradford channels life’s harsh realities with a powerful and emotive abstraction. His journey from the fringes—marked by experiences in nightclubs, the AIDS epidemic, and systemic inequalities—to prestigious platforms like the Venice Biennale and receiving the MacArthur “Genius Grant” underscores an unyielding commitment to presenting counter-narratives and pushing marginalized voices into the center of cultural conversation. Through his foundation Art + Practice, he bridges art and activism, creating safe spaces that empower foster youth and marginalized women, proving that art is not only an expression of truth but a catalyst for community transformation.

Paul McCarthy’s art defies easy categorization, blending elements of childhood imagery, pop culture, and visceral performance into a chaotic, nightmarish landscape reminiscent of a distorted theme park. His work explores the symbolic violence embedded in social conditioning, family dynamics, and media influence, often using repetition, grotesque humor, and disturbing materials like motor oil and ketchup to evoke latent trauma and aggression. Through performances and installations that frequently involve architectural spaces and persona-driven actions, McCarthy channels unconscious fears and absurdity, creating a tension between reality and fiction. His work critiques popular culture with a cynical yet ironic lens, while also probing themes of survival, existential dread, and the search for a deeper, often elusive, sense of beauty and truth within the chaos.

Art =, a groundbreaking new publication from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, redefines how we engage with art history by moving beyond traditional chronological and regional classifications. Organized thematically through keywords, the book features nearly 900 of the Met’s most viewed artworks, encouraging readers to explore surprising cross-cultural and cross-temporal connections, from ancient Chinese horses to surrealist works by Latin American women artists. Drawing from The Met’s acclaimed Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Art = invites both novices and experts to interpret art as a personal, evolving experience rather than a fixed narrative, making it a vibrant resource designed to inspire curiosity and creativity in every visitor and reader.

Genesis Tramaine’s journey as an artist is a powerful testament to creativity, spirituality, and identity. Raised in Brooklyn’s projects and shaped by the vibrant energy of church life, she learned to draw on anything she could find, transforming her surroundings into a canvas for expression. Her work transcends traditional boundaries, blending abstract portraits that challenge notions of gender, race, and social norms with a deep, sometimes complex relationship to her faith. Painting is a spiritual act for Tramaine—a surrender to divine inspiration that fuels her large, impactful canvases. Her latest edition, Black Woman University, honors the strength and wisdom of Black women and invites viewers into a space of spiritual reflection and empowerment. Celebrated for her vulnerability and intensity, Tramaine’s art resonates beyond familiar spiritual contexts, earning her comparisons to greats like Klimt and Basquiat. Through her work, she seeks to connect, uplift, and disrupt, hoping to inspire deeper understanding of love, faith, and selfhood within the art world and beyond.

In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, UNTITLED, ART has teamed up with Artland to launch the first-ever virtual reality art fair, offering an immersive and realistic experience that brings the vibrant Miami Beach venue to your screen. This groundbreaking online fair allows visitors to explore three-dimensional artworks, navigate familiar spaces, and even interact with details like seagull shadows atop the pavilion. While this inaugural edition prioritized cutting-edge technology over curatorial selection, future fairs will return to their hallmark curated approach. Highlighting the event is a special limited edition print by the rising artist Genesis Tramaine, created in collaboration with Artspace and Phaidon to support the NYFA. This innovative blend of art, technology, and philanthropy marks a bold new chapter for contemporary art fairs in the digital age.

Cecily Brown, a British-born painter who emerged outside the core Young British Artists scene, has carved out a powerful niche with her dynamic, sensual works that blend figuration and abstraction. Hailing from an artistic lineage—her mother a celebrated novelist and her father a renowned art critic—Brown studied at the Slade School before relocating to New York, where her bold paintings have garnered critical acclaim and stellar auction results. Influenced by Abstract Expressionists like de Kooning and Guston, as well as art luminaries such as Francis Bacon and pop culture icons including David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, Brown’s vibrant canvases pulse with emotional and sexual vitality, inviting viewers to continuously discover new depths. Her pieces have graced prestigious exhibitions worldwide and even featured prominently at the Metropolitan Opera. For those seeking a compelling, evocative artist whose work defies simple categorization, Cecily Brown offers both provocative beauty and lasting intrigue.

This weekend marks the final chance to bid in the Together in Distance online benefit auction, featuring an extraordinary collection of artworks by renowned contemporary artists like Ai Weiwei, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Takashi Murakami. Hosted in partnership with N95forNYC, the auction raises funds for COVID-19 relief efforts, including PPE for underserved communities and support for artists and arts organizations impacted by the pandemic. Highlights include mesmerizing pieces by Wang Gongyi’s signature blue watercolor series, Fu Xiaotong’s meticulous hand-poked paper landscapes, James Miller’s innovative light-inspired acrylics, Giacinto Occhionero’s vibrant reverse-plexiglass paintings, and Lin Yan’s delicate Xuan paper installations. With over 100 artworks available, each bid not only offers a chance to acquire exceptional art but also serves as a lifeline to those in urgent need—don’t miss out!

Rob Pruitt, an artist known for his playful yet poignant approach to contemporary art, has created everything from charity eBay flea markets to glittery black-and-white panda canvases that evoke both whimsy and deeper social messages. His signature pandas have become iconic, representing themes like environmental fragility and human connection, culminating in his recent limited edition print, *Stronger Together*, a heartfelt call for solidarity amid today’s social challenges. Pruitt blends humor, accessibility, and cultural critique across series exploring fatherhood, politics, and pop culture, always pushing boundaries while remaining grounded in community and social awareness. Whether through his audacious *Cocaine Buffet Grand Prix* or collaborations with Public Art Fund, Pruitt’s work invites reflection on human rights, inclusion, and the evolving role of art in society, all while encouraging viewers to smile and engage with the world around them.

Artspace has launched an online benefit auction, Together in Distance, to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts supporting healthcare workers, vulnerable communities, and artists. In collaboration with N95forNYC, a grassroots initiative founded by art professionals and activists, all proceeds help purchase PPE for underserved hospitals and support art organizations impacted by the pandemic. Since March, N95forNYC has delivered thousands of masks, gloves, face shields, and protective gear directly to over 200 frontline workers across 52 institutions, bypassing bureaucratic delays. The effort also includes BouquetsforNYC, which delivers personalized flowers to brighten healthcare workers’ days. As the city reopens, the group is expanding aid to vulnerable communities, including donations for #BlackLivesMatter gatherings. The auction features works by renowned artists like Xu Bing and Shantell Martin, blending art with compassion to uplift and aid those on the frontlines during this crisis.

Artspace has partnered with UNTITLED, ART to launch the UNTITLED, ART Charitable Artist Edition featuring a limited edition print by Genesis Tramaine titled *Black Woman University*. Debuting at the UNTITLED, ART Online fair on July 30, this editioned work of 50 prints is priced at $1,000, with proceeds supporting the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Tramaine, an Urban Expressionist painter from New York, explores the identity and spirit of Black Americans through layered, emotive imagery blending collage and painting. Celebrated for her deeply resonant work, she has exhibited internationally and brings a powerful voice to this charitable initiative. This collaboration highlights the vital connection between contemporary art and nonprofit support for emerging artists, bringing fresh energy to the global art community.

Together in Distance is an inspiring online benefit auction featuring extraordinary works by renowned contemporary artists like Xu Bing, Shantell Martin, Ellen Berkenblit, Swoon, and GAMA. Hosted in partnership with N95forNYC, a COVID-19 relief effort, this auction aims to raise funds to provide PPE for underserved communities and support artists impacted by the pandemic. With over 100 unique pieces ranging from Xu Bing’s innovative Square Word Calligraphy to Swoon’s striking street art turned museum-worthy work, the collection offers a powerful blend of creativity and compassion. Every bid not only brings exceptional art into your life but also serves as a vital lifeline for those in need during these challenging times.

Robert Longo, best known for his iconic Men in the Cities series, is a pivotal figure in New York’s art history, blending sharp social critique with striking, stylized imagery. Born in Brooklyn in 1953, Longo’s journey from dyslexic child to art world heavyweight includes deep ties to the Pictures Generation and collaborations with notable contemporaries like Cindy Sherman. His work, inspired by everything from minimalist sculptors to classic cinema, captures raw, dramatic moments that resonate with audiences and collectors alike—his pieces now commanding impressive sums at auction. Beyond the canvas, Longo has directed music videos and films, injecting his distinctive vision into popular culture. With bold, impactful art that challenges and confronts, Longo remains a vital, uncompromising voice whose legacy is perfect alongside the sharpest monochromatic contemporaries.

Artspace is hosting a special online benefit auction, Together in Distance, from July 8 to 20, featuring over 100 remarkable artworks from legendary artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ai Weiwei, Takashi Murakami, and contemporary talents across the U.S. and Asia. This collaborative effort with galleries and nonprofits aims to support COVID-19 relief by raising funds for healthcare workers, vulnerable communities, and artists affected by the pandemic. Proceeds will help purchase essential PPE through the N95forNYC initiative, providing critical supplies to hospitals, nursing homes, and underserved groups. Amid limited physical access to art, this auction highlights the resilience and creativity of artists during challenging times while offering collectors a chance to own impactful pieces that truly make a difference.

Artspace proudly launches 10 x 10 x 10, a dynamic initiative spotlighting ten innovative galleries under ten years old across the USA through exclusive online exhibitions featuring art priced at $10K or less. Among them, New York-based LatchKey Gallery stands out as a nomadic contemporary space dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering community connections through unique collaborations and partnerships with nonprofits. Co-founders Natalie Kates and Amanda L. Uribe share insights on their gallery’s evolution from a local to a global roster, their adaptive nomadic model, and their commitment to supporting artists in realizing their visions. Embracing flexibility in a shifting art world, LatchKey Gallery continues to engage diverse audiences with thoughtfully curated shows that explore themes like abstraction and the human condition, embodying resilience and community-centered creativity in a post-Covid landscape.

The Scandinavian art duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset have been redefining public art and institutional critique since the mid-1990s with their provocative, humor-laced installations that explore themes of identity, power, and social conformity. Rooted in their Nordic upbringing and personal experiences as a couple, their work challenges hegemonic structures—from the pristine modernist gallery to the heteronormative public space—inviting audiences to question inclusion, desire, and control. Their iconic projects range from the intimate performances exploring queer identity to bold public interventions like the “Cruising Pavilion” and the ironic Prada Marfa storefront in the Texas desert. Elmgreen & Dragset use wit and hope to expose societal fractures, negotiating between heavy themes such as loneliness, institutional power, and capitalism while maintaining a belief in art’s capacity to inspire change and foster empathy. Their innovative blend of minimal aesthetics, performative narrative, and social commentary continues to provoke dialogue in prestigious venues worldwide, offering a unique lens on contemporary culture and the complexities of belonging.