Happy Friday. Today, John Yau takes us into the world of “planar painting” with his look at a group exhibition that proves geometric abstraction can still be surprising. Likewise, 18th-century printmaking can be revolutionary, as Bridget Quinn finds in her review of The Radical Print: Art and Politics in Late Eighteenth-Century Britain by Esther Chadwick, who argues that prints of the period are more timely and politically engaged than we may think.
In news, Staff Reporter Isa Farfan reports on a fire that affected art galleries in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood, while Rhea Nayyar covers the seizure of allegedly “offensive” drawings by renowned Indian artist M.F. Husain from the Delhi Art Gallery. And Maya Pontone takes us through efforts by tech entrepreneurs to free social media from the grips of billionaires with an initiative called Free Our Feeds. It sounds a little like the plot of the show Silicon Valley, but maybe it will lead to some positive change!
There's more as always, including our weekly columns Required Reading and A View From the Easel. — Natalie Haddad, Reviews Editor | |
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| | It is refreshing to see a group show that hews to its curatorial statement, and includes both old friends and unexpected twists. | John Yau |
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SPONSORED | | | | Deep explorations of Ray Johnson, Ridykeulous, Tony Smith, Steina, Ruth Asawa, graffiti as monument, the art of mourning, and more. Learn more |
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UPCOMING EVENT | | | | Activist Tamara Lanier will join Hrag Vartanian to discuss her new book about her battle with Harvard University for ownership of her enslaved ancestors’ images.
Avatar photo | Hyperallergic and Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles |
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SPONSORED | | | | The Philadelphia exhibition offers a powerful invitation to reflect on current events and reimagine how we can collectively pursue the common good in our too-often divided society. Learn more |
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REVIEWS AND MORE | | | | The Radical Print reframes the work of five artists who used the form to satirize and lampoon, actively dismantling power systems in the process. | Bridget Quinn |
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| | | “Being surrounded by our work feels like being surrounded by children — it brings us immense joy, but it can also make our minds restless.” | Lakshmi Rivera Amin |
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| | | | This week: female directors dominate Indian film, fiber arts as therapy, the chilling influence of conservative YouTubers, Bad Bunny’s new album, rodent cinematography, and much more. | Lakshmi Rivera Amin |
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TRANSITIONS | Angelica Arbelaez was appointed the assistant curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the High Museum of Art. Brook Hsu is now represented by Gladstone Gallery. Adomas Narkevičius will curate the 15th Kaunas Biennial in Lithuania. Xerxes Mazda was appointed director of collections at the British Museum. Sara Raza was appointed artistic director and chief curator of the Centre for Contemporary Art in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. |
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AWARDS & ACCOLADES | Kathy Aoki, Susan Chen, and Jen de los Reyes and Oscar Rene Cornejo are among the visual artists receiving the 2025 Creative Capital Awards. Read more on Hyperallergic. The Tulsa Artist Fellowship announced its 2025–2027 cohort: Lindsay Aveilhé, Franky Cruz, Rehab El Sadek, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Adrienne Keene, Gavin Kroeber, Melissa Lukenbaugh, Alicia Smith, Colleen Thurston, and Micaela Tobin. |
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MEMBER COMMENTS | Vicki Meek on “Hoping is Not Enough” | I am so glad you chose to revisit this topic because if ever we were in a time when thoughtful criticism is required, this is it. Sadly, too many artists, especially those in marginalized groups, think silence is an option where injustice exists. They go along to get along hoping the gatekeepers will allow them access for good behavior. This strategy rarely works and the broken system simply prevails. | Kim Lakin on “Hoping is Not Enough” | I see a huge lack of critiquing in the current art world. It’s as if everyone is afraid to critique the quality of a work lest they offend the person. However I have always felt a good honest critique helps me to grow as an artist. I miss reviews of shows where there is an actual critique of the work. I feel all of our art could benefit. | Valerie Hird on “Hoping is Not Enough” | I believe it’s a particularly difficult time for critical thinking to be taken objectively, particularly when art work has been considered within a social/political context. Provocative insights are open to vitriolic pushback – both from host institutions and the reading public. There is, as yet, no useful strategy for promoting conversation vs. reductive responses and the feared blackballing. That said, I agree, that considered, informative, and suggestive conversation is the only way forward. I just don’t find it happening at this moment in time. |
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LAST CHANCE! | | | The Hyperallergic Store is closing! Dozens of items are now more than 50% off, including all of our socks, pins, and patches. Shop now |
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