Art

Hip hop history and the world of comics collide in the artwork of Alejandro Torrecilla. Based in Madrid, scrolling through his Instagram feed is like entering the vaults of Marvel and DC Comics, but instead of Batman, Wonder Woman and Spider-Man, celebrated emcees Nas and Joey Bada$$ are reimagined as dramatic cartoon characters living out the fantasies in their lyrics.The two disparate art forms have always shared subtle and sometimes striking similarities. On one end, many characters in comic lore disguise themselves under an alias, just like rappers — from the Wu-Tang Clan to MF DOOM — the latter of which based his entire persona on Marvel’s Doctor Doom. Fans will also note that the same pitfalls that have historically befallen comics, in regards to the genre being dismissed as an artfo...

Ai Weiwei is ringing in the Chinese New Year with a new print release with Avant Arte. Entitled Guardian, the artwork makes reference to the myriad symbols and motifs that the Chinese dissident artist has employed throughout his over 30-year career, but done so in a way that is, characteristic to Weiwei's practice, a satirical commentary on global affairs.Described by the artist as "a divine self portrait", the character prominent at the center alludes to the Chinese Menshen (Door Gods), which are placed at an entrance to protect those within its barriers. Weiwei recognizes that artists are sometimes viewed as gatekeepers and harbingers of cultural change. "This self portrait serves as a visualization of my ongoing struggle within the realm of reality," noted the artist in a statement. Vie...

Xin Liu, a trailblazer in the convergence of art and engineering, defies disciplinary boundaries with her interdisciplinary approach. Transitioning from engineering to art, Xin found liberation in exploring themes such as introspection, nomadic life experiences, and the interconnectedness of knowledge systems. Through her immersive narratives, she seamlessly weaves together science, technology, politics, and spirituality, resonating deeply with audiences globally.Collaborating with biologists at Ginkgo Bioworks and delving into AI-centric events like Rhizome's recent Seven on Seven (7x7) event at the New Museum in NYC with Hyundai Artlab, Xin sparked candid conversations about the ethical implications of technological advancements. Her recent exhibition, 'Gleaming Bodies', challenge percep...

Despite being largely associated to New York City, Jean-Michel Basquiat's time in Los Angeles also proved to be a pivotal period during the artist's prolific career. A forthcoming exhibition at Gagosian exclusively spotlights the work he created while posted in Venice between November 1982 and May 1984.Housed at the gallery's Beverly Hills location, Made on Market Street is curated by Fred Hoffman with Larry Gagosian and consists of 30 of the over 100 works Basquiat created while in LA, including several of his most important paintings. “Los Angeles has always been a great city for artists and Jean-Michel seemed to find it a refreshing change from New York," noted Larry Gagosian in a statement. "While the immensity of his talent was immediately apparent, it was nonetheless a highlight of m...

A major retrospective exhibition on Willem de Kooning will open this April to coincide with the 60th Venice Biennale. Held in the Temporary Exhibitions Halls at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the forthcoming show will spotlight the Dutch-American artist's time in Italy, between 1959 and 1960, including several of his “Black and White Rome” drawings. Curated by Gary Garrels and Mario Codognato, the show will comprise of roughly 75 works, offering audiences a comprehensive survey of de Kooning's most expressive period, and the largest such exhibition on his work to date in Italy. The exhibition curators wanted to emphasize de Kooning's "special connections with Italy," wrote a release. Interestingly enough, his works were rarely shown in Italy following his death, the last exhibition being nea...

Robin Velghe – a.k.a. Rhymezlikedimez – has unleashed his first print of 2024. In classic dimez fashion, the artist has drawn inspiration from a prominent musician from the hip-hop zeitgeist to inspire his latest creation. Dubbed "Heaven To Me," Velghe looks to Tyler, The Creator's CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale track of the same name to craft his euphoria in the form of a striking new print."The song 'HEAVEN TO ME' is another example of Tyler’s ability to paint a specific and beautiful picture through his music. Not only with words but also through chords, he delivers a piece of music that represents a delightful future that you can almost walk into," Velghe explained in an official statement. "This piece triggered me to create a work depicting my ideal world – a picnic on an It...

Bahamian artist Tavares Strachan worked with London's Royal Academy of Arts to unveil a new public sculpture entitled The First Supper (Galaxy Black) (2023). The artwork is part of the ongoing exhibition, Entangled Pasts, 1768-now, featuring over 100 contemporary and historical works that spark dialogues about how art has been used to shape colonial narratives and how it can be utilized to change the future. Clearly inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper (1495–1498), Strachan casts 12 Black historical figures in bronze — from the abolitionist Harriet Tubman and explorer Matthew Henson, the first Black US congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, as well as placing former Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, in place of Jesus Christ in the center. View...

EXPO CHICAGO is gearing up to host its first edition since being acquired by global art giant Frieze last July. Organizers behind the fair announced that over 170 galleries from 29 countries will be on view when the event returns to The Windy City later this spring, including 100 returning galleries from 2023.“Building on a strong foundation, Frieze has collaborated with EXPO CHICAGO to showcase an elevated experience for visitors and exhibitors alike,” said Kristell Chadé, the executive director of Frieze Fairs. “Through its robust international network of galleries and collectors, Frieze is committed to supporting EXPO CHICAGO’s continued success.”The Galleries portion of the fair will continue to serve as the centerpiece of the show, with global heavyweights in Gagosian and Perrotin bei...

American artist Mark Ryden has been a champion of the Pop Surrealist aesthetic for decades, and with that he's established a massive catalog of works that continue to be cherished to this day. While Ryden continues to dream up new thought-provoking sceneries, he's now taking a moment to look back on one of his works from the turn of the century -- The Butcher Bunny.24 years after its creation, The Butcher Bunny returns as Ryden's first-ever lenticular print release. The scene, which sees a young girl holding the hand of a small Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by animals eating away at meat prepared by the bunny who works as a butcher, utilizes a range of pink and yellow detailing that is complemented by the custom framework that accompanies this print. Each print also arrives signed and number...

Dutch artist Thomas Trum has transformed The Hole in Los Angeles into a chromatic feast for the eyes. Based in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Trum is known for mixing analog and mechanical modes of painting to blend the abstract with the analytical. Autobahn consists of a series of new large-scale canvas works, many of which occupy the entirety of a wall, along with smaller works on paper. Where some artists actively, and sometimes tirelessly, work to cover their tracks, Trum leaves it all out in the open. The way he achieves this effect is through unique tools, such as a giant handmade squeegee, as well as custom spraying machines. His hybrid artworks are human still in its imperfections, but show mechanical means of production, like a tire mark from a car or the burnt stain of a dry iron. "Thes...

Barbara Kruger returns to London for her first major solo show in nearly two decades. On view at Serpentine's South Gallery, Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You. offers a comprehensive look into the acclaimed American artist's career spanning early works from the 1970s to more modern video-based installations that play attuned to the frantic ways in which people consume information today. A miner of images, Kruger is well-known for creating massive text-based displays that comment on a range of topics, from consumerism to women's rights. Trained as a graphic designer, Kruger first worked in several editorial posts, learning the ins-and-outs of advertisement. In hindsight, her own artistic vernacular began to form through these experiences, perhaps most notable in her 1987 screen print,...