Abirpothi

International Art News

Several Artists Killed in the Latest Wave of Anti‑Government Protests in Iran

Iranian advocacy and human rights groups say several Iranian artists have been killed in the latest wave of anti‑government protests that began late December 2025 and have since spread across the country. The incidents come amid a wider and exceptionally violent crackdown by security forces, who have used live ammunition, metal pellets, and mass arrests […]

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Colomboscope 2026: ‘Rhythm Alliances’ Tunes into Sonic Resistance and Collective Resonance

The ninth edition of Colomboscope, Sri Lanka’s leading contemporary arts festival, returns this January with the pulsating theme “Rhythm Alliances.” Conceived and curated by Berlin- and Karachi-based guest curator Hajra Haider Karrar, in collaboration with artistic director Natasha Ginwala and the festival team, the ten-day event will unfold across multiple venues in Colombo from 21 to 31 January 2026. Far more than

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South Africa Cancels Gaza-Themed Performance for 2026 Venice Biennale Pavilion

South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has withdrawn a performance mourning victims of Israel’s actions in Gaza from the country’s 2026 Venice Biennale pavilion. The decision prioritizes showcasing South African narratives over global conflicts, according to an official statement. In remarks to Hyperallergic, a department spokesperson explained that the pavilion “should not be

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US Withdraws from 66 International Organizations, Including Arts and Culture Bodies

President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Wednesday its withdrawal from 66 international groups, conventions, and treaties, encompassing 31 United Nations-affiliated entities. This action targets organizations deemed contrary to U.S. interests, with several linked to arts, culture, historic preservation, and freedom of expression.​ Key Details of Withdrawal The Presidential Memorandum directs executive departments to cease participation

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Art Across the Arabian Gulf traces the region’s modern history through art

The Misk Art Institute’s ongoing exhibition, Art Across the Arabian Gulf, offers a sweeping exploration of the cultural and economic transformations that shaped the Gulf region from the 1950s to the 1990s. Running until March 31, the exhibition brings together paintings, sculptures, and conceptual installations by artists from across the Arabian Peninsula. Through its curated selection,

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Saudi Arabia and China Mark 35 Years of Ties with Major Contemporary Art Exhibition in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has announced that the Common Ground Festival, produced by Benchmark, will be held from December 24, 2025, to January 6, 2026, at Misk City in Riyadh. The festival forms part of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 and coincides with the celebration of 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

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Metropolitan Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and US Collector Return Antiquities to Turkey​

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and a private US collector have agreed to return dozens of antiquities to Turkey, following investigations into their alleged illicit excavation and export. The works, which span multiple ancient Anatolian cultures, were identified by Turkish authorities and US investigators as having

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Time’s AI Cover Recasts Iconic Worker Image With Billionaires

Time magazine’s 2025 “Person of the Year” cover, dedicated to the “Architects of AI,” has drawn criticism for its visual reworking of the historic photograph “Lunch atop a Skyscraper.” The original 1932 image, shot during the construction of New York’s Rockefeller Center, shows eleven ironworkers casually eating and smoking on a steel beam 850 feet

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Tate Director Maria Balshaw to Step Down in Spring 2026

The Tate announced today that Maria Balshaw, its director since 2017, will step down from her position in spring 2026. Balshaw succeeded Nicholas Serota, who led the institution for 29 years. Prior to joining Tate, she served successfully as director of Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery. Background and Achievements Balshaw’s tenure at

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