The Rise of Black Artists in the Era of Black Panther
Even before Marvel’s Black Panther movie was released, the level of anticipation brewing around it made it very clear that this was much more than just a future blockbuster hit. The world wasn’t just getting the black superhero it deserves, but a cultural re-awakening. And as the popularity of movie swept across the world, it […]
Enduring Legacy of Keith Haring and Graffiti Art
“The public needs art – and it is the responsibility of a ‘self-proclaimed artist’ to realize that the public needs art, and not to make bourgeois art for a few and ignore the masses.” If you didn’t already know his name, no doubt you know his art. Keith Haring’s iconic work has endured through the […]
Witnessing the Painful Fall of the Art Gallery Business
In just the past few years, we’ve heard about more and more galleries closing across many cities around the world. After 22 years, L.A.’s ACMA Gallery shut its doors abruptly with little explanation. London’s Limoncello announced its closure in 2017, citing, “The numbers didn’t add up”. And closing in August 2018, New York’s Envoy Enterprises […]
New and Emerging Art Cities Around the World
Paris, London and New York inevitably come to mind when you think of the art capitals of the world. From prominent street art to prestigious art galleries and world-class museums, these cultural capitals of the Western Hemisphere have long established themselves as the go-to destinations for every art enthusiast. However, we know five cities have […]
Demystifying the Contemporary Art World: Where to Begin
If you’ve ever entered a museum and found yourself embarrassed or confused, you indeed wouldn’t be the first. While others say they see a majestic rainforest, all you see are splotches in varying shades of green. While others ooh and aah and are quick to interpret the artist’s choice of colors, lines, and technique, […]
The Cultural Force and Power of the Pulitzer Prize
‘Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly, so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.’ – Joseph Pulitzer The Pulitzer Prize was established in 1917 after Joseph Pulitzer, arguably the most influential newspaper publisher in the […]
Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum: A Whole New Intercultural Treasure House
In November 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi envisioned as a ‘museum city in the sea’ finally opened its doors. Hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a “decisive turning point” in ties with the United Arab Emirates, the museum is a partnership between France and UAE that took 10 years to bring to fruition. Plans […]
Persistence of Memory in Surrealist Art
As an art movement that aimed to depict the subconscious, many critics found Surrealism unnerving and illogical. But that was exactly the point —an alternative mode of expression. The Surrealist art movement was founded and led by André Breton in 1924. He defined it as “psychic automatism in its pure state, by which one proposes […]
Michelangelo, the Divine
The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection. – Michelangelo By the time the Metropolitan Museum of Art closed its exhibition “Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer” on February 12, 2018, it had brought in an astonishing 702,516 visitors during its short 3-month run, making it one of the Met’s most […]
The Smithsonian Unveils Official Obama Portraits
On February 13, 2018, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery unveiled its commissioned portraits of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. The LA Times would describe the paintings as “cheerfully bucking the official portrait trend of instantly forgettable painterly pablum.” Artistically Vibrant and Strikingly Refreshing In early October 2017, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery announced […]
Rich and Complex Power and Beauty: Women of the Arab World
“I am amazed by the misconceptions about Muslim women and the Arab world that I hear, and that really hurts me,” says Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah. Queen Rania is one of the most influential women in the Middle East and the patron of I AM, an East-West peace-building exhibition which includes the works of […]
Late Bloomer Artists We Love
It wasn’t until the death of his wife that Monet began to really paint; he was in his 40s. American realism artist, Edward Hopper, wouldn’t sell a painting until his 30s but wouldn’t gain notoriety for his unique style until a decade later. After years of being rejected by Paris Salon and exhibiting a few […]