This edition of “Hellos and Goodbyes” has a unique flavor as I find myself temporarily on the island of Tenerife. While the calm waves here offer a tranquil retreat, the world beyond is abuzz with significant changes and events. Just as the ocean rises and falls, the currents of news in art, fashion, and more continuously shape our cultural landscape.
Amidst this summer’s quieter moments, we are witnessing remarkable shifts. Biennials are announcing new curators, galleries are gearing up for September openings and art fairs, while farewells serve as reminders of life’s constant evolution. One notable event on the horizon is the Contemporary Biennial TEA 2024, set to open on September 27 at TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes. Curated by Raisa Maudit and Àngels Miralda, the biennial will feature 12 projects selected through an open call that attracted over 900 applicants. Five of the selected artists are based in the Canary Islands, while the remaining seven come from outside the region. Each artist will receive a fee and production support to bring their work to life.
Despite the anticipation for the biennial, a troubling development has surfaced within the same institution. Art historian Paco Barragán has raised concerns about the selection process for the artistic director position, currently held by Sergio Rubira Gutiérrez. Barragán, a candidate for the role, has filed an appeal, citing favoritism and nepotism due to close ties between Rubira and two committee members. In a recent conversation, Barragán stated, “I did this because no one dares to challenge these decisions, even if they are corrupt. I wanted to show that something can be done.” With no resolution yet in sight, this situation underscores ongoing debates about transparency and fairness in the art world.
As these stories unfold, they highlight the dynamic shifts shaping our global landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on these evolving developments:
1. Victoria Siddall Makes History as National Portrait Gallery’s First Female Director.
Victoria Siddall is stepping into history as the National Portrait Gallery’s first female director! Renowned for her role as the global director of Frieze and for masterminding the launch of Frieze Masters in 2012, Siddall now brings her impressive expertise to this iconic London institution.
Taking over from interim director Michael Elliott, Siddall becomes just the 13th director in the NPG’s 168-year history. Following a dazzling £41.3 million renovation, the gallery is poised for an exciting new chapter under her leadership. With Siddall’s innovative vision and vibrant energy, the NPG is set to continue its dynamic evolution and capture the spotlight in the art world!
2. Eugenio Viola Takes the Helm at the 24th Bienal de Arte Paiz.
Eugenio Viola is set to make waves as the curator of the 24th Bienal de Arte Paiz, happening in Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala from November 2025 to February 2026. Known for his trailblazing work in performance and bodily poetics, Viola is ready to transform Central America’s top art event into an unforgettable spectacle. With a Ph.D. and a resume that includes curating the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2022 and his current role at Bogotá’s MAMBO, Viola’s curation promises a Biennial brimming with creativity and flair. Guatemala’s art scene is in for an exciting new chapter.
3. WHW to Lead Skulptur Projekte Münster 2027.
Skulptur Projekte Münster has chosen the Croatian curatorial collective What, How & for Whom (WHW) to lead its 50th-anniversary edition in 2027. Ivet Ćurlin, Nataša Ilić, and Sabina Sabolović will make history as the first all-woman team to take the reins. They’re set to tackle provocative questions like how 50 years of public art has transformed Münster and delve into themes such as ethno-nationalism, rural gentrification, and the decolonial reimagining of traditions and biodiversity. With 25 years of experience, including curating at Zagreb’s Gallery Nova and Vienna’s Kunsthalle Wien, WHW is poised to bring fresh, innovative ideas to Münster’s public art scene.
4. Whitney Museum Picks Marcela Guerrero, Drew Sawyer to Curate 2026 Biennial.
The 2026 edition of the Whitney Biennial will be curated by in-house stars Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer. Guerrero, the museum’s first curator specializing in Latinx art, impressed with exhibitions on Puerto Rican art post-Hurricane Maria (2018) and Mexican muralism’s influence on American art. Meanwhile, Sawyer, an accomplished photography curator, recently opened his debut Whitney exhibition, “Mark Armijo McKnight: Decreation,” featuring McKnight’s striking black-and-white photographs, film, and sculpture. With these two curators leading the charge, the 2026 Biennial promises to be bold, boundary-pushing, and filled with fresh perspectives.
5. Ellie Buttrose Takes the Reins for the 2026 Adelaide Biennial.
After winning the prestigious Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale with her powerful curation of “Kith and Kin” by Archie Moore, Ellie Buttrose is ready to dazzle again as the curator of the 2026 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art. Her Venice Pavilion was a standout, transforming it into a moving tribute to First Nations peoples through a sprawling, hand-drawn family tree. Buttrose’s knack for compelling storytelling and her fearless approach are set to make the Adelaide Biennial an unmissable event. Expect innovative exhibitions and dynamic new voices when the Biennial unfolds from 27 February to 7 June 2026.
6. Frans van der Avert Crowned New Director of Paleis Het Loo.
Frans van der Avert is the new general director of Paleis Het Loo, starting August 1st. This Dutch gem in Apeldoorn just got a royal upgrade! Van der Avert, previously at Paleis Soestdijk and Frens & Co, comes with a stellar track record from the Rijksmuseum and Hermitage Amsterdam. He’s set to elevate Paleis Het Loo with his innovative and digital-savvy approach. Get ready to see this palace shine brighter than ever under his leadership!
7. Kyla McMillan Named Director of The Armory Show.
Kyla McMillan has been named the new director of The Armory Show, just in time for its big 30th-anniversary celebration this September. With experience at David Zwirner and her own Saint George Projects, she’s poised to inject fresh energy into the fair following Nicole Berry’s departure. McMillan’s focus? Empowering collectors and spotlighting new voices in contemporary art. September is looking bright for The Armory Show!
8. Sound the Alarm: Morten Søndergaard is the New Head Curator of MOMENTUM 13.
Galleri F 15 in Norway has appointed Morten Søndergaard as the head curator for MOMENTUM 13, running from June 14 to October 12, 2025. An acclaimed sound art curator and professor at Aalborg University, Søndergaard has curated exhibitions globally, from ZKM in Karlsruhe to Eyebeam in New York. He promises five zones of sonic delight, capturing the subtle, the silent, and the simply sublime. Since 1998, MOMENTUM has been the cool kid on the biennale block, known for its daring curatorial visions, and this edition will continue that tradition, set against Norway’s stunning fjords and forests.
9. Hua International Gallery Expands in Berlin, Galerie Thomas Schulte Moves Into Old Space.
Hua International, the uniquely German-Chinese gallery founded by Xiaochan Hua, is expanding its Berlin footprint with a slick, revamped space on Potsdamer Straße, set to debut this September. Known for bridging Eastern and Western art, Hua International is gearing up to showcase an even broader lineup of Asian artists, giving Berlin’s art scene a fresh jolt of creative energy.
Meanwhile, Galerie Thomas Schulte is hot on Hua’s heels, moving into their former space in the Mercator-Höfe, all while keeping its main gallery on Charlottenstraße. It’s like a game of gallery hopscotch in the Berlin art scene—don’t miss the action during Berlin Art Week!
10. Berlin’s Galerie Barbara Thumm Welcomes Elyla to Its Lineup.
Berlin’s Galerie Barbara Thumm has added Elyla to its roster, with the artist’s debut exhibition set to open on September 6th. Elyla, a dynamic artist from Masaya, Nicaragua, brings a multi-disciplinary practice that blends video art, photo performances, and experimental theatre. The work explores gender and cultural dynamics, offering fresh, thought-provoking perspectives. Get ready to experience Elyla’s bold approach at Galerie Barbara Thumm this September!
11. Remembering Alain Delon: Film Icon and Passionate Art Collector.
French screen legend Alain Delon has passed away at 88. While famous for his iconic roles in “Le Samouraï” and “The Leopard,” Delon was also a passionate art collector. His collection spanned centuries, featuring works from Albrecht Dürer to Georges Braque, driven by love rather than investment. Delon’s deep involvement in the art world, from curating exhibitions to playing an art collector in “L’Homme Pressé,” mirrored his passionate approach to life. His passing marks the loss of both a cinematic legend and a devoted lover of art.
12. Barnes Foundation Cuts 12 Positions and Fires Curator.
The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia has been making some surprising cuts, eliminating 12 full-time positions over the past six months. Among those let go were key figures like finance director Jill Duncan and TK Smith, assistant curator for art of the African diaspora. Smith, who was set to curate the highly anticipated “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love” exhibition, left due to contract disputes over his research. Despite the turmoil, the Barnes has brought in independent scholar Renée Mussai to oversee the exhibition. The museum insists the cuts aren’t financially motivated, citing its healthy endowment. As the Barnes moves forward, the art world is watching closely to see how these changes impact future programming.
13. David Anfam, Scholar Who Rewrote Abstract Expressionism, Dies at 69.
David Anfam, the art historian who reshaped how we understand Abstract Expressionism, has passed away at 69 in London. Known for his definitive “Mark Rothko” catalogue raisonné and the blockbuster 2016 “Abstract Expressionism” exhibition at London’s Royal Academy and Guggenheim Bilbao, Anfam brought a fresh lens to the works of Rothko, Pollock, and Clyfford Still. The exhibition, the first of its kind in the UK in over 60 years, reignited global interest in the movement, with critics hailing it as a game-changer. Though his career had a rocky start, Anfam’s persistence paid off. Beloved for his clear, no-nonsense writing, he made the complexities of Abstract Expressionism feel approachable. Anfam’s influence on the art world continues to resonate, his legacy a powerful reminder of the importance of passion and curiosity.
14. Darren Walker to Step Down as Ford Foundation President.
Darren Walker, the powerhouse behind the Ford Foundation, will step down by the end of 2025. Since 2013, Walker has transformed the foundation with initiatives like the $1 billion BUILD program and Mission Investments, leaving a lasting impact on gender equity, disability rights, and the intersection of art and technology. Known for elevating underrepresented voices, Walker’s departure marks the end of an era. A committee of trustees is already on the hunt for his successor, and the art world is watching closely to see who will fill his shoes.
15. Parthenon Museum in Nashville Waves Goodbye to 500-Year-Old Mexican Artifacts.
Staff at the Parthenon Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, recently bid farewell to over 250 ancient Mexican artifacts, which are set to be repatriated to Mexico after being held for over five decades. These include pre-Columbian tools, instruments, ceramic pots, and, yes, a grinning Mexican hairless dog sculpture. Originally donated by private collectors in the ’60s and ’70s, these items were never publicly displayed. Now, after an exhibition on cultural looting wrapped in mid-July, they’re finally heading back to their rightful home in Mexico.
16. Kasper König, Influential Curator and Co-Founder of Skulptur Projekte Münster, Dies at 80.
Kasper König, the renowned German curator and co-founder of Skulptur Projekte Münster, has passed away at 80. König was instrumental in transforming contemporary art exhibitions in Germany and beyond, including his role in Manifesta 10 in St Petersburg. He served as director of Museum Ludwig in Cologne from 2000 to 2012, significantly enhancing its international profile. König is remembered by his wife, photographer Heidi Specker, and his children, including art dealers Leo and Johann König. His influential career left a lasting mark on the global art scene.
17. FIT President Joyce Brown to Step Down After 25 Years.
Joyce Brown, the first female and African American president of the Fashion Institute of Technology, is stepping down after an impressive 25-year tenure. Under her leadership, FIT became a global force in fashion education, expanding its curriculum, introducing cutting-edge programs, and building the first new academic facility on campus in 40 years. FIT is renowned for shaping some of the biggest names in fashion, including Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Nina Garcia. With Brown at the helm, the school’s influence has only grown, making her departure a significant moment in FIT’s history.
18. Max Mara Says Goodbye to Fur—For Good!
Max Mara is officially fur-free! After years of pressure from animal rights groups, the Italian fashion giant has ditched real fur for good—no more mink, fox, or raccoon dog keychains. Joining the likes of Gucci and Prada, Max Mara is proving you don’t need fur to stay fashionable. In related news, Bulova has also stopped using reptile skins after a PETA campaign. Looks like cruelty-free fashion is the new normal!
Text by Maria Nitulescu
