Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Friday, June 30. 

NEED-TO-READ

Austria Repatriates Mexican Ball Pit Artifact – A Mesoamerican artifact has been returned to Mexico after it surfaced at an undisclosed auction house in Austria. The object, called a yoke, dates back to between 400 and 900 C.E. and was used in a ritual ball game. It was recovered by the Embassy of Mexico in Austria with assistance from Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, and the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. (ARTnews) 

The Philadelphia Museum’s Union Contract Battle – The Philadelphia Museum of Art Union alleges that the museum has reneged on a compensation provision. According to the union, the institution’s CEO Sasha Suda and General Counsel Al Suh said the museum would not honor a “longevity pay increase” that will impact employees across departments. (Hyperallergic) 

Anne Pasternak Claps Back at Critics – In an interview, the director of the Brooklyn Museum expressed that she wasn’t “prepared” for how the art world reacted to the “It’s Pablo-matic” exhibition that opened this month. She is disappointed but sure of its relevance: “I think this exhibition is going to go down in the art-history textbooks, and I think it’s going to be talked about quite richly, actually.” Have a listen to the new Art Angle podcast where we dive into the controversy around this exhibition, which was co-curated by comedian Hannah Gadsby. (Curbed) 

Video Artist to Represent Taiwan in Venice – Artist Yuan Goang-ming and curator Abby Chen will work together to represent Taiwan in the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale in 2024, which is scheduled to run from April 20 to November 24, 2024. The pioneering video artist has been working with the medium since 1984. (Art Asia Pacific)

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Lubaina Himid Wins Maria Lassnig Prize – The British artist received the fourth edition of the mid-career award, which includes €50,000 ($54,200) and an exhibition at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing.(ArtReview)

Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum Names New Director – The American art historian Jonathan Fine will take over at the museum in January 2025. He has served as director of the Weltmuseum in Vienna since July 2021. He succeeds Sabine Haag as general director of the city’s prestigious museum. (The Art Newspaper)

Frieze Artist Award Named – Adham Faramawy is the recipient of 2023 Frieze London Artist Award. The artist will be given the opportunity to debut a commission at Frieze London, taking place from October 11 to 15, 2023. (Press release)

Artsy Lays Off 35 Staffers – The online art platform laid off 35 staff members, or around 15 percent of its workforce last week. (ARTnews)

FOR ART’S SAKE

David Adjaye’s Sculpture at the Griot Museum of Black History – The St. Louis museum has revealed Ghanaian British architect and artist David Adjaye’s new permanent sculpture Asaase III (2023). It is Adjaye’s first-ever permanent public work. The piece was commissioned as part of Counterpublic, the city’s triennial civic exhibition. (The Art Newspaper)