Kara Walker. Untitled, 2013-2014. Courtesy of Sikkema Jenkins & Co. From Artsy’s “These Sketches Reveal the Processes of 8 Iconic Artists.”
This week Mark Bradford was selected to represent the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale, opening in May next year. The artist’s dedication to social justice, using his work to address race, gay marriage, immigration, and inequality at large is what the show’s curator, and director of the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, Christopher Bedford, says lead to him choose Bradford for the honor.
In an interview with the LA Times, the artist says that he doesn’t quite have the specifics narrowed down, but that he’d like the work exhibited to reflect “the whole of who I am and where I am now.”
- Maya Lin collaborated with designer Phillip Lim to create a series of animal-inspired t-shirts for Earth Day. The proceeds benefit Lin’s What is Missing?, a foundation raising awareness of the sixth mass extinction of species through science-based artworks.
- Trevor Paglen was shortlisted for the 2016 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize for his exhibition The Octopus at Frankfurter Kunstverein last summer.
- Carrie Mae Weems‘ new book of photographs, Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series, hits the shelves tomorrow, April 26th. The New York Times writes that the book “puts on the printed page her meditation on domesticity and different relationships — with romantic partners, friends, and oneself — and the ways in which black women are portrayed.”
- Laurie Anderson‘s album and documentary Heart of a Dog, in which the artist reflects on the deaths of her husband, mother, and dog, premieres tonight at 9pm on HBO. Watch the trailer here.
- Finally, the Art Genome Project shared a series of preliminary sketches developed for masterpieces like The Mona Lisa and La Grande Jatte, but the studies for Kara Walker’s A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby stole the show.
Events & exhibitions
NYC
- Mike Kelley’s new exhibition Shaped Paintings opened Thursday at Skarstedt’s Chelsea gallery, where it will remain on view till June 25th.
- This is the last week to see Stan Douglas’ six-channel film The Secret Agent at David Zwirner! The New York Times says it’s “one of the most straightforward pieces ever made” by the artist.
- The Whitney Museum is celebrating Neighbor’s Day this Saturday, giving free admission to residents from the zip codes 10011, 10012, 10013, and 10014.
USA
- MIAMI — Doris Salcedo’s conceptual installations came to the Perez Art Museum last week in a new exhibition organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Her work will be on view in Miami until July 17th. The Miami New Times called it a “gut-wrenching glimpse into the horror” of loss.
- PALO ALTO — James Turrell’s explorations of light will be on view in an exhibition opening this Thursday, April 28th at Pace Gallery’s new location in Palo Alto.
- SACRAMENTO — Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads is entering its last week at the Crocker Art Museum. See it before the exhibition closes this Sunday, May 1st.
Around the world
- CENTRE, FRANCE — El Anatsui’s Ugwu is currently installed at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, alongside works by Giuseppe Penone and Andy Goldsworthy on the 10th century castle’s historic grounds. Installations by Cai Guo-Qiang are also on view in the castle’s Lower Le Fenil Gallery until November 2nd. See the works as they were installed on Artinfo.
It’s impossible to include all the fantastic exhibitions and art events happening this week in a single post. If there’s something you feel should have been included in today’s roundup, leave a comment below!