Art

Yue Minjun, a celebrated contemporary Chinese painter, sculptor and printmaker, best known for his works depicting himself with his trademark smile has unveiled his latest limited edition offering in collaboration with AllRightsReserved (ARR).While the work still features Minjun's familiar smile, it also incorporates inspiration from the late martial arts expert and celebrated actor Bruce Lee. Speaking on this inspiration, Minjun shared "We have always had a special admiration for Bruce Lee. His movies have a significant impact on me. This sculpture portrays a boxing pose, reflecting a sense of personal heroism. This position represents a strong power and determination."Additionally, the work, titled "Kung Fu" (一拳) stands as an artistic exploration of Chinese cultural heritage, designed to...

Currently on view at the Château La Coste in Provence, France,  is Damien Hirst’s The Light That Shines exhibition. Spanning 500 acres of land, the exhibition takes over the entire Château La Coste with Hirst’s extensive body of work spread across five pavilions.Over 90 sculptures and paintings are displayed on site, including highly-recognizable pieces as well as artwork like “The Empress Paintings”, which has never been exhibited before. Each area is carefully curated with pieces that befits the environment, thus inviting visitors to an immersive viewing experience. A prime example of this is the placement of the “Natural History” series in the Renzo Piano Pavilion. It’s located on the lower ground floor of the site, so its natural light source fluctuates throughout the day, while its un...

American artist George Condo is working with Avant Arte on the release of three highly limited silkscreen prints. The collaboration is made in partnership with the Dia Art Foundation and produced by London's Make-Ready studio, with full proceeds benefitting Dia's commitment to supporting solo and group exhibitions, as well as site-specific installations around the world. The trio of prints, Prismatic Head Composition, Lost in Time, Portrait and Head, are all adaptations of previous canvas paintings. Condo, whose only held two previous jobs before pursuing art full time, draws from his earlier experiences working for the Dia Art Foundation and the silkscreen printing techniques he learned during his time at Andy Warhol's Factory, resulting in three highly expressive prints that come as a ba...

While not normally associated with the fine art world, LEGO will be placed on a pedestal in a new exhibition on view at The Boiler House in London. The Art of the Brick is produced by immersive entertainment company Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever and will showcase over 100 LEGO sculptures, made of millions of tiny bricks. Visitors will experience some of the most recognizable works from art history reimagined as whimsical LEGO creations — from Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Each piece has been crafted by American artist and master LEGO builder Nathan Sawaya, who previously toured monumental creations in Sydney, Shanghai, Paris, Rome and New York."London holds a special place in my heart and I'm very excited to be bringing the Art of the Brick b...

German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans will present a new solo exhibition at David Zwirner's Hong Kong location next month. The forthcoming show will be the Turner-prize winner's fifth with the gallery and encompasses images shot in Addis Ababa, Berlin, Lagos, and Mongolia, amongst other locations. Tillmans images, though at times featuring euphoric abstractions, distill notions of 'high' and 'low' brow art in favor of ordinary scenes that implores one to view the world without fear. As has been well documented, his early interests in music, not photography, held a bigger attraction for Tillmans as he began capturing the lifestyles of Berlin and London's nightlife during the 1990s. Standout works on view include Filled with Light (2011), which depicts the momentary orange glow of the sunset...

The Dragon Bar 1998-2008 is a newly published ode to a long-gone — but not forgotten — venue. During its decade of operations, the influence and impact of London’s Dragon Bar wasn’t regarded as anything particularly special. In the aftermath of its closure, however, the venue has gained something of a cult status as one of the defining underground hotspots of street art.Published under their zine Pavement Licker and created by James-Lee Duffy and Josh Jones, the 300-page book is billed as an “oral history” of the bar with contributions from those who witnessed the chaos of the Dragon Bar firsthand.The book contains interviews with street artists such as Banksy, Faile, INVADER, ELK, Mode 2, EINE, Lucie Flynn, CEPT, Sweet Toof, AIKO and James Jessop, among others.During the Dragon Bar’s life...

Esther Mahlangu's artistic journey, spanning over half a century, is a narrative of passion, innovation, and resilience. Her retrospective exhibition, Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, marks a significant milestone in Mahlangu's illustrious career. Hosted by the Iziko Museums of South Africa and BMW, this exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Mahlangu's artistry, showcasing over 100 artworks alongside historic photographs and a short film. One of the exhibition's highlights is Mahlangu's iconic BMW 525i Art Car, returning to South Africa after over three decades. Reflecting on her lifelong dedication to art, Mahlangu shares, "Painting has always been a part of me. I cannot separate it from myself, and neither would I want to. I l...

During Frieze Art Week 2024 in Los Angeles, Hypeart and the esteemed auction house, Bonhams, are collaborating for a momentous auction series titled Instructions for a Memory Device. Set within Bonhams' recently revamped venue, this carefully curated collection by Hypeart provides a window into intimate artist paths from diverse cultural backgrounds. Attendees are encouraged to immerse themselves in the rich histories embedded in the works on view while reflecting on their own personal experiences surrounding the subject matter presented. Instructions for a Memory Device essentially peels away layers nostalgia, navigating a flurry of recollections and emotions. Each piece in this series serves as a unique set of loose instructions, guiding us through the labyrinth of artist memories. From ...

Blending Worlds by Monarch aims to disrupt the format of traditional art fairs, offering a profoundly enriching experience for collectors, artists, galleries, and creative minds worldwide. The inaugural event took place within the confines of Soho House Hong Kong, spanning the second and third floors this past January 26th to 28th, 2024.Entering the curated space on the third floor, guests found themselves immersed in a presentation spotlighting anticipated releases of 2024 from Avant Arte. Here, attendees were treated to the unveiling of pieces such as "Portrait and Head," "Prismatic Head Composition," and "Lost in Time" by George Condo, as well as "Death Carrier Bunny" by Robert Nova and "Snow Lotus" by Cai Guoqiang."Traditional art fair no longer satisfy the demands of emerging art comp...

Halloween came early at The Hole's Bowery location in New York City. Reflective of the bleak winter months, Horripilation is a new group exhibition whose artworks mirrors the sensation one gets when feeling cold, excited or fearful. Playing in line with past shows, the walls of the gallery space have been repainted in a dark red color to allude to a spatter of blood, as audiences meander through paintings and sculptures by Alic Brock, Ariane Heloise Hughes, Hunter Amos, Rita Maikova and more. Standout works on view include a terrifying visage painting by Tim Brawner that greets visitors at the entrance, while further in, Brock presents a surrealist spin on the phrase, "eye for an eye" and a copper vessel by Jackson Shaner encases trapped souls desperately trying to escape. "The chill down ...

Frank Gehry's shape-shifting philosophy to architecture continues to fascinate audiences from Los Angeles's Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Speaking on the latter, the Canadian-American architect recently linked up with the French maison to release a limited assortment of handbags that fused both parties artistic codes. To follow, Gehry is showcasing a series of Fish Lamp sculptures and never-before seen works on paper at Gagosian's 976 Madison Avenue location in New York City.Ruminations consists of unique fish sculptures created in copper, stainless steel and Formica that suspend in the gallery space and are illuminated from within to draw visitors around its sinuous contours. Gehry has always lauded natural forms found in nature and "decided the fish wa...

Clase Azul México, renowned for its luxurious spirits and dedication to craftsmanship, introduces Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosí, joining its esteemed lineup. This artisanal release pays homage to San Luis Potosí, a culturally rich state in Mexico, where generations of mezcal producers employ traditional methods passed down for centuries. Made from green agave grown at high altitudes, this mezcal is crafted in Estación Ipiña, a small community deeply involved in its production. Inspired by the region's heritage, the mezcal undergoes a meticulous process, including steam cooking, Chilean mill milling, and double distillation in copper stills, resulting in a full-bodied profile with aromatic notes of cooked agave, caramel, and green chile. The decanter's design, featuring red hues and int...