New Museum in New York completes $82 million expansion
The New Museum in New York has completed its $82 million expansion, which will officially open on March 21, 2026. The new 60,000 sq. ft building, designed by OMA's Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas, doubles the museum's total space to 120,000 sq. ft and features galleries, artist studios, and a public plaza. The inaugural exhibition, 'New Humans: Memories of the Future,' showcases works by over 200 artists, including Salvador Dalí and Precious Okoyomon.
Dafen Village Faces Economic Struggles Amid Art Demand Shift
Dafen, a village in China that produces 60 percent of the world's new oil paintings, is facing economic challenges as demand for counterfeit Van Gogh artworks declines. This shift threatens the livelihoods of local copyists who rely on the production of these replicas.
Helen Legg appointed artistic director of Royal Academy
Helen Legg has been appointed as the new artistic director of London's Royal Academy of Arts, effective June 2026, transitioning from her role as director of Tate Liverpool. Legg, who has led Tate Liverpool since 2018 and oversaw a major redevelopment of its Grade I-listed building, will be responsible for the RA's exhibitions, collection, and public programs. She joins the RA alongside two other senior appointments: Livia Evans as commercial director and Lamia Dabboussy as director of brand and audiences.
Banksy Identified as Bristol Man Robin Gunningham
A Reuters investigation claims to have identified the elusive street artist Banksy as Robin Gunningham, a 52-year-old man from Bristol, who reportedly changed his name to David Jones. This assertion is supported by a police report from 2000, in which Gunningham confessed to defacing a billboard in New York and listed his residence as the Carlton Arms Hotel. The investigation also notes that Gunningham was in Ukraine in late 2022, coinciding with the appearance of Banksy murals in the region.
