THE MAGAZINE
Happy Birthday, Pablo Picasso!
October is not only the month of Halloween and gloomy weather. It is also the month of the renowned painter and artist Pablo Picasso. The Spanish painter was born on 25 October 1881. Here are five surprising facts about the brilliant artist.
A Glimpse of Autumn
Autumn is right around the corner. Start this beautiful season with two beautiful paintings. Read on for more!
Discovering the Soul of West Asia: The Collection of the Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi has built one of the most gender-balanced and diverse collections of modern and contemporary Arab art. The Barjeel Art Foundation is making this collection as accessible as possible: most of it can be viewed online. Not sure where to start? Read the background stories to some of these astonishing paintings.
Ai Weiwei: “Know Thyself” and the Power of Lego, neugerriemschneider, Berlin, 14 September 2023 – 30 March 2024
Yes, this is the Mona Lisa. Or is it? Is it even a painting? Read on to find out about the celebrated contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, his love for Lego bricks and the strange, thought-provoking twists he adds to his images. Now on view at his solo show Know Thyself at neugerriemschneider, Berlin.
The Real Story Behind John Singer Sargent’s “The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit”
There are some paintings you only need to see once. And then there are other paintings that require repeat visits. Not necessarily because the painting has changed, but because you have. This is the case for almost everyone I’ve ever met who has seen “The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit,” the enormous 7’x7’ canvas at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
How to Enjoy Art History by the Pool (or From Your Sofa)
We’re officially in the dog days of summer, which means it’s time to gather up your puddle of a brain and start priming it for the coming fall. And what better way to do that then with a little bit of art history? Here are some great ways to integrate art history into the rest of your summer relaxation.
The Art of Protest
Art has always been a substantial part of Sudanese culture. Discover the powerful impact of Sudanese art in telling stories, inspiring young people, and creating positive change!
Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: ‘Forms of Life’ at the Tate Modern, London
The artists Hilma af Klint (b. Sweden, 1862-1944) and Piet Mondrian (b. Netherlands, 1872-1944) never met, but they were both fascinated by nature and wanted to understand the forces behind life. Both started as landscape painters and went on to produce some of the earliest abstract paintings. Both were deeply spiritual and interested in mysticism and hidden truths. Until 3 September 2023, you can see Mondrian’s and af Klint’s paintings side by side at the Tate Modern, London.
Guest Artist: Caroline Williams, City & Guilds of London Art School
Check out the work of our guest artist, Caroline Williams, of City & Guilds of London Art School.
Get Inspired: Raphael’s Sistine Madonna
Get inspired by Raphael’s beautiful Sistine Madonna.
Guest Artist: Florence Penry-Jones, City & Guilds of London Art School
Check out the work of our guest artist, Florence Penry-Jones, 19, of City & Guilds of London Art School.
Human Is: A New Reality of Science Fiction (Schinkel Pavillon, Berlin, 19 March – 23 July 2023)
Does a place that explores a possible future which is created by artificial intelligence grab your interest? The exhibition Human Is brings art and technology together and invites people to a realm of science fiction. The exhibition runs from 9 March until 23 July 2023 and takes place at the Schinkel Pavillon in Berlin.
Give It to Me Straight: The Infinite Lines of Carmen Herrera
Carmen Herrera’s work is a masterclass in the reduction of form, but her career is, ironically, a story of what happens when an artist is reduced to being a woman artist in a circle of men. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1915, Herrera trained in Paris and moved in circles of highly influential artists and writers. When she moved to New York in the 1950s, she was told point blank that she would never receive a solo gallery show. She sold her first painting at 81. Read on for more.
Fake “Photography”? Boris Eldagsen and the Sony World Photography Awards 2023
On 14 March 2023, Berlin-based artist Boris Eldagsen was awarded the 2023 Sony World Photography Award (creative open category) for his work “The Electrician.” But the artist sent shock waves through the photography world when he announced that he would not accept the award: “The Electrician” is not a photograph. Eldagsen created the image with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Guest Artist: Isabella Guadalupe Araiza-Fortson, 16
Check out the work of our guest artist, 16-year-old Isabella Guadalupe Araiza-Fortson from Palm Desert, California.
Springtime in Art
It’s spring! We have three beautiful paintings to visualize one of the most important parts of spring: new life! You will also find out some interesting facts about the painter Rosa Bonheur, France’s most successful 19th century female artist, a great animal painter who defied the gender norms of her times.
In Honour of April Fools’ Day: The Ultimate Art Prank
It’s April Fools’ Day! But there are prankster who don’t need any excuses to pull practical jokes. The street artist Banksy certainly doesn’t. In October 2018, he masterminded one of the most notorious art pranks in recent history. Read on if you are ready for a surprise!
He’s a Scream! The Night the Art World Met Edvard Munch
Ever been told by the art scene that you have destroyed art forever? This was the experience of Edvard Munch, the late-19th century Norwegian Expressionist artist, and the exhibition that made him famous.
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
Are you curious about experiencing David Hockney’s art in a totally new way? Hockney just collaborated with Lightroom on a new show, “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away).” Lightroom is a vast, innovative show space that just opened in London. The show will be on until 4th June 2023.
Nick Cave: Forothermore (Guggenheim Museum, New York, until 10 April 2023)
Nick Cave is a Chicago-based American artist and educator who works between the visual and performing arts and fashion. Much of his art is about being Black in America. Nick Cave: Forothermore is a survey exhibition covering the artist’s entire career. The exhibition includes his magical Soundsuits.