This Week's Top Stories: London Auctions See Dip, Hirst Set to Debut Unseen Works
5 min read · 07 Jul 2023
Market
Let’s just take a breather, Michaela Yearwood-Dan, 2021. Image courtesy of Christie’s.
Ultra-Contemporary Art Sales Dip at London Auctions
Sales of ultra-contemporary art in London have seen a sharp decline, with auction revenues from artists under 45 decreasing by 80% from the previous year to £1.9 million according to ArtTactic. Despite this trend, some younger contemporary artists, such as Michaela Yearwood-Dan, Julien Nguyen, and Sahara Longe, are gaining increasing attention. (Barrons)
Phillips' London Art Auction Falls Short
Phillips' 20th Century to Now auction in London faced a disappointing turnout, pulling in only $11.5 million, with 84% of the 111 lots finding buyers. The auction was marked by last-minute withdrawals and works selling far below their estimated values, prompting concerns about a market correction. (Artnet)
Record-Breaking Sale for Rare Portrait of Henry VIII’s Sixth Wife
An exceptionally rare 16th-century oil portrait of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII, broke auction records to become the most valuable Tudor painting ever sold, selling for $4.4 million to a UK collector at Sotheby's Old Master & 19th Century Paintings Evening Auction. (Observer)
Shows
'Signals', closing this week at MoMA includes moving-image work by Gretchen Bender (left) and documentation of a happening by Marta Minujín (right). Image Courtesy of MoMA
Damien Hirst's New Exhibition 'Where the Land Meets the Sea' Set to Debut Unseen Works
Damien Hirst is set to reveal never-before-seen pieces in his new exhibition 'Where the Land Meets the Sea'. This exhibition, which includes works from his Coast Paintings, Sea Paintings, and Seascapes series, will be on view at Phillips’ London galleries on Berkeley Square from the 20th July. (Fad Magazine)
MoMA's "Signals" Exhibition Raises Questions on Video as a Medium
The Museum of Modern Art's exhibition, "Signals: How Video Transformed the World", stands as the New York institution's most extensive display of video art to date. Full of experiments with new media, the museum’s exhibition displays the powers and the pitfalls of seeing the world through a screen. The exhibition ends this week. (The New York Times)
Turner Prize 2023 Shortlist Announced: Artists Discuss Their Nominated Works
Tate Britain has revealed the shortlisted artists for the 2023 Turner Prize, the most prestigious contemporary art award in the U.K. The four artists, Jesse Darling, Barbara Walker, Rory Pilgrim, and Ghislaine Leung, will present their work in an exhibition at Towner Eastbourne, with the overall winner receiving £25,000. The winning artist will be unveiled at a ceremony on December 5. (Artnet)
Profiles
UK Holocaust Memorial & Learning Centre - Adjaye Associates. Image Courtesy of Adjaye Associates.
David Adjaye Steps Down Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Sir David Adjaye, the globally renowned architect, has chosen to step back from several high-profile roles, including the UK's Holocaust memorial and his advisory role to London's mayor, following sexual misconduct allegations raised by three former female employees. The allegations are currently under further investigation. (Financial Times)
Baltimore Museum of Art's Jessica Bell Brown Shares Personal Style and Inspirations
In a detailed profile, Jessica Bell Brown, the contemporary art curator at the Baltimore Museum of Art, shares her personal style preferences, inspirations, and the artworks that have influenced her. (Financial Times)
Museum
Cannon, from before 1745. Image courtesy of Rijksmuseum.
Netherlands to Repatriate Nearly 500 Cultural Artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka
The Netherlands has pledged to return 478 cultural artifacts to Indonesia and six colonial objects to Sri Lanka, marking a historic first for the Dutch government and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The repatriated artifacts include the 'Lombok treasure,' a collection of jewelry, gold, and silver stolen from a Balinese palace in 1894, and a decorated cannon from the Kingdom of Kandy, looted by the Dutch East India Company in 1765. (Artnet)
Keith Haring's First Museum Exhibition in L.A. Showcases the Artist's Life, Activism, and Art
The Broad museum in Los Angeles has inaugurated "Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody", the artist's first museum exhibition in the city. The comprehensive display spans his work from 1978 to 1989, featuring over 120 works including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and videos, along with more ephemeral subway drawings and murals. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
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