As the vibrant colors of autumn settle over Europe, the art world is brimming with renewed energy. Paris is at the center of it all, hosting Art Basel Paris back at the Grand Palais, creating an exciting moment for the city after the recent close of Frieze London. This season, while grand events like these dominate the headlines, there’s a quieter, equally intriguing series of art fairs showcasing niche and emerging talent. From Asia NOW, Europe’s leading fair dedicated to contemporary Asian art, to intimate gatherings focused on African art and experimental practices, Paris is alive with diverse perspectives that highlight the growing range of the art scene.
Simultaneously, the art world is navigating a period of transitions, marked by notable leadership shifts in major museums and a wave of gallery closures that signal change on the horizon. Galleries like New York’s Deli Gallery are closing their doors, while familiar institutions welcome fresh faces at the helm. And as the discourse on cultural repatriation intensifies, significant institutions are facing new pressures to reconsider their collections.
So, whether it’s celebrating new beginnings or reflecting on poignant farewells, let’s dive into the latest, a blend of hellos and goodbyes that underscores the art world’s resilience and perpetual transformation.
1. Zoë Ryan Steps Up as Hammer Museum Director
Big news at the Hammer Museum: Zoë Ryan is stepping in as director on January 1, 2025, bringing her trademark mix of creativity and community focus. She’s joining from the Institute of Contemporary Art at UPenn, where she’s been making waves since 2020. Ryan’s appointment follows the retirement of Ann Philbin, who’s leaving after a legendary 25-year run.
With Ryan at the helm, the Hammer is set to keep pushing the envelope. Expect bold exhibitions, unexpected twists, and a fresh take on Los Angeles’ art scene. While one door opens at the Hammer Museum, other doors are closing on New York’s art scene, as we’ll see next.
2. David Zwirner Adds Romanian Artist Victor Man to the Roster
David Zwirner is adding a touch of moody flair with his latest signing: Romanian artist Victor Man. Known for dark, enigmatic paintings that feel like stepping into a Renaissance-inspired dreamscape, Man’s work is all about layering mystery over existential themes. He’s kicking things off at Art Basel Paris right now, and with a solo show in London planned for 2025.
Man’s style is deep, brooding, and full of intrigue, a perfect fit for the Zwirner lineup. His pieces blend past and present, exploring themes that make you question reality. With Man on board, Zwirner’s collection just got a whole lot more haunting.
3. Kasmin Gains Exclusive Global Representation of Jackson Pollock’s Work
Kasmin has landed exclusive global rights to represent Jackson Pollock, marking a significant moment for the gallery. This partnership with the Pollock-Krasner Foundation reunites Pollock with his legendary other half, Lee Krasner, under one gallery roof. Kasmin is celebrating with some of Pollock’s early, experimental drawings on view at Frieze Masters, which just wrapped up, while Paris’s Musée National Picasso is set to showcase a retrospective of his early years later this month.
Pollock’s raw, gestural sketches offer a glimpse into the mind that created the iconic drips. With this acquisition, Kasmin has truly leveled up.
4. Li Hei Di Joins Pace as Youngest Artist on the Roster
Pace Gallery is bringing fresh energy to the table with Li Hei Di, its youngest artist yet. Li’s work is an intriguing blend of abstraction and figuration, delving into identity and intimacy with a bold, modern twist. Watch for Li’s debut at Art Basel Miami Beach this December, followed by a solo exhibition in Hong Kong in 2025.
With a style that’s both personal and provocative, Li explores fluid identities and the human experience through translucent figures and daring compositions. By signing Li, Pace is doubling down on the next generation of art, and it’s about to get interesting.
5. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Welcomes Jessica S. Hong as Chief Curator
Jessica S. Hong has taken the helm as chief curator at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, bringing serious curatorial firepower to Kansas City. Known for her work at the ICA in Boston, Hong’s focus on socially engaged art is set to shake things up at Kemper.
With Hong’s arrival, the Kemper is gearing up for a fresh slate of exhibitions that dig deep into today’s most pressing issues. She’s all about connecting with the community and amplifying diverse voices, so expect a bold new chapter for Kansas City’s art scene. The Kemper just got a major upgrade.
6. Michael Rider Steps In as New Creative Director at Celine
It’s official—Michael Rider is the new creative director at Celine. Just hours after Hedi Slimane’s departure, Celine dropped the news that Rider would be stepping in to take the reins. With Slimane moving on after a rollercoaster seven-year tenure, all eyes are on Rider, a former Celine insider who’s spent the last few years revamping Polo Ralph Lauren.
Rider’s time with Celine goes back to the Phoebe Philo days, so he’s no stranger to the brand’s signature minimalist vibe. Word is, he’ll bring back some of that understated elegance while adding a modern edge. It’s a big shift, but if anyone’s ready to tackle the post-Slimane era, it’s Rider.
7. Kunsthalle Zürich Welcomes Fanny Hauser as New Director
In another major leadership change, Fanny Hauser is stepping in as director of Kunsthalle Zürich starting January 2025. Hauser, who hails from Vienna, has been turning heads at the Ludwig Forum in Aachen as deputy director. She’s known for her experimental curatorial approach and is no stranger to the Swiss art scene, thanks to her past experience at the Gebert Foundation.
Since her days co-founding Vienna’s edgy art space Kevin Space, Hauser has been on the move, and she’s now set to bring that energy to Kunsthalle Zürich. She’s replacing Daniel Baumann, who’s been with the institution for a decade. With Hauser in charge, expect Kunsthalle Zürich to continue its streak of challenging exhibitions and bold programming.
8. Darren Walker Takes the Helm at the National Gallery of Art in D.C.
The National Gallery of Art in D.C. has announced that Darren Walker will be stepping in as its new president. Known for his transformative work at the Ford Foundation, Walker has been a trustee at the NGA since 2019, making this a natural next step. As he joins the National Gallery, Walker’s expected to bring a fresh perspective, blending his background in philanthropy and social justice with the institution’s artistic mission.
Under Walker’s leadership, the NGA is primed for an exciting new chapter. He’s already helped diversify the collection and has big plans to broaden the museum’s impact. It’s all systems go at the National Gallery, and with Walker at the helm, D.C.’s cultural scene just got a lot more dynamic.
9. Lillian Schwartz, Computer Art Pioneer, Dies at 97
Lillian Schwartz, the computer art maven who broke boundaries and inspired generations, has passed away at 97. Starting in the 1960s with experimental sculptures, Schwartz became a pioneer by the ‘70s with films like “Pixillation,” merging crystals and pulsing digital squares in mind-bending color. Her work at Bell Labs led to groundbreaking computer art, including her bold theory that Leonardo used his own face for the Mona Lisa, an idea that even caught CBS’s eye.
Despite being labeled merely a “Resident Visitor” at Bell Labs, Schwartz’s influence grew far beyond titles. With her mix of tech and art, she leaves behind a legacy that’s both futuristic and timeless.
10. Met Returns Greek Artifact to Italy After Looting Link Confirmed
The Met is saying goodbye to another piece of ancient Greek history. The museum has returned a kylix, a drinking vessel from around 490 B.C., to Italy after discovering the artifact’s connection to looting. The vessel had been reassembled from fragments collected over 15 years, and it closely resembles another kylix the Met sent back in 2022 following an antiquities trafficking investigation.
This latest repatriation reflects the Met’s ongoing collaboration with Italian authorities, as the museum navigates stricter cultural heritage laws and the delicate task of balancing artifact returns with maintaining international relationships. It seems the Met is making amends while lending a helping hand to cultural preservation efforts worldwide.
11. Paul Lowe, Conflict Photographer Lauded for Sarajevo Siege Coverage, Dies at 61
In a tragic turn, renowned British photojournalist Paul Lowe, celebrated for his powerful images of the Sarajevo siege, has passed away in California. Known for his impactful work in conflict zones and his role as a professor of photojournalism, Lowe’s images captured the resilience and humanity in some of the world’s most challenging places.
Lowe’s son has been charged in connection with his death, and the case is under investigation. King’s College London and the University of the Arts London, where he taught, mourn his loss, remembering his contributions to both art and reconciliation.
12. Belgium’s Office Baroque Gallery Shutters After 17 Years
And that’s a wrap for Belgium’s Office Baroque Gallery. After 17 years of making waves in Antwerp and Brussels, the gallery, founded by Marie Denkens and Wim Peeters, has officially closed its doors. Known for its off-the-beaten-path vibe, Office Baroque championed artists like Joe Bradley, Leslie Hewitt, and Terence Koh, all while staging over 100 exhibitions and carving out a respected niche in the big-league art fairs.
In a farewell Instagram post, Denkens and Peeters reflected on their journey, from humble beginnings in a small Antwerp apartment to their final, cavernous space in a former gym. They hinted that this might not be a permanent goodbye, as they plan to explore future projects guided by “a different compass.” Office Baroque may be gone for now, but its influence and spirit remain.
13. New York’s Deli Gallery Closes After Eight Years
Another one bites the dust: Deli Gallery, a beloved hub for emerging artists in New York, has announced it will close on September 28. Founded by Max Marshall in 2016, the gallery started in Queens, migrated to Brooklyn, and finally landed in TriBeCa in 2021. Known for championing fresh, bold talent and fostering a community-focused vibe, Deli Gallery’s roster included artists like Skye Volmar and Abigail Lucien, who helped define its irreverent, risk-taking reputation.
The gallery shared the news in an Instagram post, reflecting on its commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices in contemporary art. Its final exhibition, “Long-Winded,” featuring the works of Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, marks the end of an era for this vital New York space. As Marshall put it, the time felt right, even with the external market pressures in play. What comes next for Deli remains a mystery, but its legacy of pushing the boundaries of figurative painting and installation art is sure to live on.
14. Museum Worker Mistakes Art for Trash in Close Call
A substitute technician at the LAM Museum in the Netherlands almost sent an artwork by French artist Alexandre Lavet to the landfill. The piece, titled “All the good times we spent together,” features aluminum replicas of beer cans and was perched atop the museum’s glass elevator. Unaware of the exhibit, the technician tossed the cans, thinking they were left behind by visitors. Luckily, a sharp-eyed curator realized the mistake and saved the piece from a trash bag just in time. The museum held no hard feelings, just a memorable moment of art almost blending in a bit too well with everyday life.
15. Will Nefertiti Keep Her Throne in Berlin? Egyptian Archaeologist Launches Petition
Egypt’s former antiquities minister, Zahi Hawass, is once again stirring up debate over the iconic Queen Nefertiti bust, which has called Berlin home for over a century. Hawass’s recent petition, with nearly 10,000 signatures, argues that Nefertiti should be returned to Egypt, citing claims that the bust’s move to Germany wasn’t entirely in line with Egyptian laws at the time.
The bust, housed in Berlin’s Neues Museum since 1913, remains a star attraction, with German authorities asserting that it was legally obtained under agreements made when it was excavated in 1912. While the debate over her repatriation continues, it seems Nefertiti’s tenure in Berlin is far from over, as she continues to reign as a centerpiece of the museum. Her future remains undecided, but one thing’s certain: she isn’t packing her bags just yet.
Text by Maria Nitulescu
