3 min read · 24 May 2024
Judy Chicago, (detail) In the Beginning, from Birth Project (1982) (detail), Prismacolor on Copyright the artist/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Photo copyright Donald Woodman/ARS, NY
This was the week a $5m portrait by Francis Bacon stolen in Madrid was found by Spanish police. In London, Judy Chicago’s big show opened at the Serpentine Galleries as did highlights of Damien Hirst’s art collection at his Newport Street Gallery. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, a major Mickalene Thomas show starts its Transatlantic tour at The Broad.
London: Judy Chicago’s long overdue career survey opened at the Serpentine Galleries, featuring archival and never-before-seen works by the pioneering feminist artist.
NFT: Nina Chanel Abney's Super Punks World NFT collection dropped this week but after a thumbs down online, and personal attacks on the artist, Yuga Labs dropped plans for future collaborations.
London: Highlights of Damien Hirst’s personal collection, curated by his son, Connor, opened at the artist’s Newport Street Gallery in London. The show features a stellar selection of artists, the painter Margaret Mellis is among the surprises.
Paris: Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car was unveiled in the Centre Pompidou. Her design is based on a painting, which is destined for MoMA, that is now on view in the artist’s show in Venice.
Market: Lucio Fontana led Sotheby's $2.53m contemporary discoveries online auction when his 1950 neon walk sold for $285,900, 1200% above its low estimate. For more highlights, see the HENI News report.
Hong Kong: Howardena Pindell the Black artist, curator, and founder of trailblazing 1970s gallery Just Above Midtown, will get a solo show in Asia in the fall with her new gallery, White Cube.
Madrid: Police in Spain have recovered a portrait by Francis Bacon almost a decade after it disappeared from the home of the artist’s friend and his sitter. Two people have been arrested and one painting is still missing.
And in other news
Seattle: The foundation created by the late Microsoft billionaire, Paul Allen, and his sister has announced grants totaling $10 million to arts and cultural non-profits in their home state of Washington
"‘Judy did what she wanted in her career. Not like me. I did the same thing over and over again.’ What Anselm Kiefer told the New Museum’s artistic director Massimilano Giano about Judy Chicago after visiting her New York show. "
- The Guardian
Julie Mehretu's BMW Art Car. Copyright the artist, courtesy of BMW. Photo by Tereza Mundilová/ BMW AG