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The Headlines
HISTORIC MODERN INDIAN ART SALE. M.F. Husain’s 1954 painting Untitled (Gram Yatra) became the most expensive work of modern Indian art ever publicly auctioned, selling for $13.8 million at Christie’s in New York. This price shattered the estimate and was over four times the artist’s previous record. The South Asian modern and contemporary art market continues to gain momentum, despite being fragmented. The painting, made of 13 separate vignettes of Indian village life, was created five years after Indian independence, as artists tried to navigate what it meant to be a modern Indian artist. Nishad Avari, the head of Christie’s South Asian modern and contemporary art department in New York, provided insights into the significance of the artwork.
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SF ART INSTITUTE TAKES SHAPE. The historic San Francisco Art Institute, recently acquired by a nonprofit led by Laurene Powell Jobs, will undergo renovations to offer a visual arts program rooted in studio practice. The building will not operate as an accredited art school but will provide space for artists to work and live. Changes to the property, including the conversion of studios into residences and offices into studios, are part of the renovation plans. The building’s iconic Diego Rivera mural will be accessible to the public through a renovated entrance. More details about the institution’s future plans are expected soon.
The Digest
Marina Abramovic has announced a new NFT project in collaboration with TAEX, called “Marina Abramovic Element.” The project will feature three NFT drops with games and collectible items to offer an immersive experience into the artist’s practice. The preview will take place at Moco Museum London on April 8, followed by an NFT release in May.
Chinese artist Zhichao Huang, known as Dennis Huang, has passed away at the age of 84. Recognized for his unique blend of Eastern and Western painting styles, abstract sculptures, and ink paintings, his legacy lives on through his art.
A museum dedicated to Surrealist founder André Breton caught fire in southwest France, damaging the building and furniture. Fortunately, most of the artworks and collected items were spared from the blaze.
Former UK art collector James Stunt has been acquitted of participating in a money-laundering scheme involving the purchase of gold with questionable funds. Stunt, who faced financial challenges following his divorce, has consistently denied the allegations.
Shanghai’s Museum of Art Pudong is hosting an exhibition of luxury brand Loro Piana, showcasing the brand’s family legacy and craftsmanship. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the displayed items, providing insight into the brand’s quest for excellence.
The co-founders of São Paulo’s newest gallery, Yehudi Hollander-Pappi, share their vision for the gallery, emphasizing transparency about their financial backer and the importance of supporting artists and sparking creativity despite the financial challenges associated with running a gallery.
The Kicker
GOLDEN BLINDSPOT. The recent conviction of three individuals for stealing Maurizio Cattelan’s golden toilet from Blenheim Palace sheds light on the unexpected security lapse at the museum. Despite the toilet’s significant value, museum staff were unprepared for the theft, highlighting the unique circumstances surrounding the incident. The story provides a different perspective on the burglary and the challenges faced by museum staff in protecting valuable artworks. Die goldene Toilette wurde mit Sicherheit eingeschmolzen und verkauft, im Wert von etwa 3,6 Millionen Dollar allein für das kostbare Metall.