A gallery attendant sits in an armchair near the wall covered with paintings by Ukrainian artists at the Art Kyiv 2026 Festival at the Art Ukraine Gallery in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
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Iranian women walk past American artist Roy Lichtenstein's "Brattata" as they visit an exhibition called: "Art & war" displaying some artworks of American pop artists at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Iran, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Geopolitical tensions have spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition. The event opens Saturday with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation. Protests erupted outside their pavilions. The jury limited its action to countries under investigation by the International Criminal Court. Visitors will vote for the best national pavilion and participant in the main show, “In Minor Keys.” Winners will be announced November 22. Ahead of the opening, protesters objecting to Israel's participation clashed with police. Earlier in the week, feminist groups from Ukraine and Russia converged on the Russian Pavilion.
Gustav Klimt's early works in Vienna are now accessible to the public for the first time. The 10 oil paintings on the ceilings of the Burgtheater are being restored because of water damage. The theater is offering daily guided tours on the conservators' scaffolding. Klimt is known for his bold art nouveau style. He painted the works from 1886 to 1888 together with his brother and another artist. The paintings depict scenes from theater history including a self-portrait of Klimt. Hundreds of art lovers are taking the opportunity to see the details up close. The special tours will continue until August.
The Venice Biennale has begun previewing its 61st edition, just days after the contemporary art show's jury resigned over the participation of Israel and Russia. Ukrainian artists brought a statue from the front line, Russian participants danced to house music and Palestinians marched in protest. Curator Marie Helene Pereira said the tensions put in question the relevance of national representation in a globalized art world. The jury had refused to award prizes to countries under investigation by the International Court of Justice. Without a jury, visitors will vote for the winners. Ukrainian artist Ksenia Malykh said the lack of a prize takes shine off the world's oldest contemporary art exhibition.
A Swiss museum made a splash on Friday by inviting in the public in their swimwear to enjoy Paul Cezanne's iconic paintings of people bathing.
Elusive street artist Banksy on Thursday confirmed he was behind a new work drawing crowds in central London: a statue of a suited man striding into the void while holding a flag that blocks his view.
Artists Gilbert & George pose with their artworks at their exhibition called 'Our George Crompton, WORLDS and WINDOWS by Gilbert & George' during the media preview at The Gilbert & George Centre in London, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The international jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned. The announcement on Thursday came just days before the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair opens. It's unclear if the resignations are connected to a dispute over Russia’s participation. The resignation also came amid tensions over the jury's decision not to award countries accused of crimes against humanity.
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