Art news: galleries not paying artists, new art foundation opening & more
+ art events & shows not to miss in June
On today's agenda: I have something to say about art news, London Gallery Weekend, and other must-see shows in June.
💡Last week, I saw a post on Instagram stating that yet another gallery owes money to artists. This is what happened: Arusha Gallery, with locations in Edinburgh and London, is facing serious financial trouble as ten artists have come forward claiming they are owed nearly £500,000 in delayed or missing payments. Complaints include poor communication, unsold or missing artworks, and collectors paying for works they never received. While the gallery admits to payment issues, it attributes the crisis to a downturn in the art market and the sudden death of co-owner Guy Bargery. Artists, however, say problems began well before his passing. The gallery's future is uncertain, even as it moves ahead with a separate wellness and exhibition project in Wales.
*my notes
Two days later, I saw an Instagram story from one of the artists I work with (I have been working for a long time now) asking if someone had received a response from Pictorum Gallery London. I know the gallery, as many of the artists I have worked with have also shown there. So, I went to their Instagram, and the last post was from October 2024. And these are just the two most recent instances. Almost on a monthly basis I hear about an artist complaining about a gallery not paying or not responding- in some cases, also damaging the artwork. We all know things can go wrong in the art market very fast sometimes, but the amount of time I spend listening to something like this is astonishing. Let's look at what happened to prominent galleries like Simon Lee or Blain Southern; they both reported financial insolvency, which also included debts to their artists. From my personal experience, I know for a fact that running a gallery is extremely difficult ( both mentally and financially), especially now in this challenging economic climate. However, what I don't understand is how galleries get themselves into those situations. Many things can't be predicted, but galleries should always do business with some extra room for crisis in case bad times come (because they will). They should not rely on a successful season; they should never overspend, and they always pay their artists first; they are the gallery's reputation. And most of all, they should never ghost their artists.
If you want to have a more read on the topic of running a successful gallery, here is an interesting article.
💡Former Tate curator Ann Gallagher just launched the Goodwood Art Foundation - the non-profit aims to support contemporary art and will debut with works by artists such as Rachel Whiteread and Rose Wylie. Gallagher's vision emphasizes community engagement and fostering new artistic dialogues.
*my notes
Every time I hear about a new art organization, I'm incredibly pleased. It means expansion and new access to great art. I will visit the Goodwood Art Foundation in September and can't wait to report back.
💡Artnet Goes Private with Firm Beowolff Capital - a UK-based investment firm led by Andrew Wolff, has announced a voluntary takeover offer to acquire Artnet, valuing the company at approximately €65 million. Having already secured 65% of Artnet's shares, Beowolff plans to delist the company from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Artnet's management and supervisory board support the offer, and an Investment and Delisting Agreement was signed on May 27, 2025. This move follows Beowolff's recent majority acquisition of Artsy, indicating a strategic expansion into digital art market platforms. The transaction is pending regulatory review and shareholder acceptance, processes expected to unfold over several months.
*my notes
I want to think this is a good move, but knowing how Artsy has changed and what's going on internally, I am not convinced.
💡Venice Biennale Announces Next Theme -The 2026 Venice Biennale, scheduled from May 9 to November 22, will present the theme "In Minor Keys," conceptualized by the late Cameroonian curator Koyo Kouoh. This theme emphasizes subtle harmonies and understated expressions, highlighting marginalized voices and overlooked narratives in the art world. Kouoh's vision draws inspiration from writers like James Baldwin, Patrick Chamoiseau, and Toni Morrison, encouraging a contemplative and sensory-rich experience. Despite her passing in May 2025, Kouoh's plans will be realized by her advisory team, including Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira, Rasha Salti, Siddhartha Mitter, and Rory Tsapayi, ensuring her legacy continues through the exhibition.
*my notes
This sounds wonderful, and I will make sure I make it to the Biennale this year (I missed the last one). Everyone should experience it at least once!
MUST SEE ART EVENTS IN JUNE
🤍London Gallery weekend / 6 - 8 June
London Gallery Weekend is one of the main events in June. 126 galleries around London participate with extended opening hours and special program
https://londongalleryweekend.art/
THE most important art event in June and if not the most important art fair of the year.
I am going and I can’t wait to report back!
🤍Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting / 20 June - 7 September 2025
Jenny Saville, the acclaimed British painter known for her bold, visceral depictions of the human body is opening a retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery—her first major UK exhibition. Despite early fame and success in the art market, she remains focused on the act of painting, uninterested in labels or commercial pressures. Her work, often blending abstraction and realism, explores themes of beauty, flesh, identity, and transformation, deeply rooted in art history and informed by both photography and live models.
🤍Yoshimoto Nara / 10 June - 31 Auugust 2025
This expansive exhibition at Hayward Gallery showcases over 150 works by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, installations, and ceramics. Known for his emotive portraits and exploration of themes like rebellion, isolation, and spirituality, the exhibition delves into Nara's personal and creative world. It highlights his inspirations, such as nature, mythology, the peace movement, and punk music. Born in Aomori in 1959, Nara studied in Japan and Germany, and has exhibited internationally since the 1990s. This show, an expanded version of earlier exhibitions in Bilbao and Baden-Baden, includes early sculptures and new paintings.
🤍Kiefer / Van Gogh / 28 June - 26 October 2025
The exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts explores the lasting influence of Vincent van Gogh on German artist Anselm Kiefer. Seventy-two years after Van Gogh’s death, an 18-year-old Kiefer retraced his journey through Europe, marking the beginning of a deep artistic connection. Over his six-decade career, Kiefer has drawn inspiration from Van Gogh’s themes and techniques, incorporating them into his own monumental works rooted in history, mythology, and philosophy. The exhibition features works by both artists, including never-before-seen pieces by Kiefer, and is the first to focus on this artistic dialogue.
