From Simone Leigh Representing the US in Venice to Pompeii’s Accursed Artifacts: The Best and Worst of the Art World This Week

Catch up on this week's news, fast.

Simone Leigh with Brick House. Courtesy of High Line Art. Photo: Photo Timothy Schenck.

BEST?

An Old Master Gets a New Medium – One of the few female old masters, Artemisia Gentileschi’s is set to star in a new TV series that will chronicle her dramatic life and career.

Simone Leigh Is Going to Venice – The sculptor Simone Leigh will be the first Black woman to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale in 2022.

San Francisco Announces Grants for Artists – The city’s new policies include a Universal Basic Income Grant for a lucky group of artists who will receive $1,000 a month.

Philanthropies Debut Disabled Artist Fellowship – The Ford and Mellon foundations have created the only financial award for US creatives with disabilities, naming 200 fellows who will receive $50,000 to fund their work.

Kenny’s Back in Action – After a brief sojourn, Kenny Schacter is back to opine on online viewing rooms, dish art market scoops, and share arty-election-gifs.

Buy a Print and Combat Voter Suppression – More than 150 photographers are teaming up for a print sale initiative to promote voting rights.

A New Take on the Guston Debate – Critic Ben Davis takes a look at the debate over the rescheduling of a Philip Guston retrospective from new angles.

Meet the Innovators – Artnet News’s Intelligence Report features 51 individuals taking the art world by storm.

 

WORST?

Donors Want an Investigation of Baltimore Museum Sell Off – As museums sell off artworks in order to fend off financial straits imposed by the pandemic, a group of donors are calling on Maryland officials to investigate Baltimore’s deaccession plan.

Canadian Woman Claims Pompeii Curse – A woman wrote a confession and returned artifacts she stole from Pompeii more than 10 years ago. The tourist claimed that she had endured terrible luck, and attributed it to the accursed objects.

Anthony d’Offay Is Out – The National Galleries of Scotland have severed ties with patron Anthony d’Offay following sexual misconduct allegations.

Art in General Announces Closure – The beloved alternative art space is closing due to financial constraints imposed by the ongoing pandemic.

Quai Branley Protesters Get Fine – Three protestors who tried to remove an African artwork as a commentary about colonialism were fined for their actions.

Medusa and #MeToo – A statue depicting an avenging Medusa carrying the head of Perseus was erected outside a New York courtroom, but many are criticizing the stylized femininity of the sculpture, which was created by a man.


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