In a two-person exhibition at Soft Opening in London and PPOW in New York, artists Dean Sameshima and Felix Reynolds present works that reflect on the HIV/AIDS epidemic's impact on queer sexuality. Sameshima's "Anonymous Illness" critiques the Reagan administration's silence on the issue by using large font to emphasize the term "illness" over "anonymous". In contrast, Reynolds' work explicitly names AIDS victims in a photo tapestry of AIDS memorial quilts, drawing from his experience as an early member of ACT UP. The exhibition navigates between particular and universal experiences of queerness, often blurring the lines between biographical reading and emotional truth.
https://hyperallergic.com/980038/hunter-reynolds-and-dean-sameshima-memorials-to-queer-loss/The National Institute for Autism Awareness (NIAD) was founded by psychologist Elias Katz and his wife, artist Florence Ludins-Katz, who aimed to promote the work of artists with autism in the mainstream art world. As a result, several artists associated with NIAD have had their work represented by commercial galleries and included in museum collections, providing individuals with autism an outlet for self-expression through art.
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/living/2024/12/31/us-artist-with-autism-holds-solo-exhibition-at-new-york039s-museum-of-modern-artThe historic photographic archive of two magazines was sold at auction in 2019 to a group of museums and foundations, which plan to digitize the collection and make it accessible to the public. The archive, representing one of the largest visual collections of African American life, contains photographs taken over most of the 20th century by publications such as Ebony and Jet magazines.
https://whyy.org/articles/african-american-museum-wheaties-art-exhibit/A new exhibition is set to open at Dundee Contemporary Arts, featuring works by artists Helen Cammock, Ingrid Pollard, and Camara Taylor. The show will run from December 7th to March 23rd, 2025.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/12/26/a-brush-with-beth-bate-director-of-dundee-contemporary-artsThe Culture Bites team reflects on their favorite cultural experiences of 2024, including exhibitions such as NYU Abu Dhabi's Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial and the Andy Warhol exhibition in Dubai. They also discuss books, series, and films that resonated with them this year, as well as memorable music experiences like concerts and a TikTok karaoke channel.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/culture-bites/2024/12/26/thats-a-wrap-end-of-year-special/The Abu Dhabi Festival has increased its number of workshops to 140 this year, offering a range of creative activities for attendees. The workshops cover various art forms, cultural themes, and skills development opportunities, including embroidery on tote bags by 'The Swing House', mirror engraving and felting embroidery in collaboration with 'MOFUN', and wood and mirror painting sessions led by Shaikha Obaid from 'NSSFMA'. Other workshops include glass painting, cake decoration, Islamic geometric engravings on metal, wax painting, fabric bag painting, cup painting, embroidery techniques, and the creative uses of beads.
https://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle/hatta-winter-festival-greets-visitors-with-an-array-of-exciting-activities-across-140-workshops-2024-12-25-1.735965Rita Blitt, a Midwestern artist in her 90s, continues to create work that blends color and flowing shapes on canvas. Her latest paintings revisit her lifelong love for trees. Despite being overshadowed by male artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, Blitt's contributions are now recognized through exhibitions like "Women of Abstract Expressionism" curated by Connie Gibbons at the Mulvane Art Museum. Blitt finds inspiration every day and emphasizes that her art is about the joy of creating and having the courage to listen to one's inner being.
https://hyperallergic.com/977078/rita-blitt-on-the-lifelong-art-of-creating/The Bangkok Art Biennale has drawn over 500,000 visitors with its diverse exhibits, including works by four Indian artists who are showcasing their unique feminine perspectives through various mediums such as painting and sculpture. Noted artist K. George is one of the participants, known for his fiberglass sculptures of Hijda transwomen, which highlight the beauty and depth of femininity in a striking manner.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/culture-and-society/the-striking-feminine-faces-of-bangkok-art-biennale-1849271The Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators has concluded its literature and arts season in the Aljada area. The event aimed to showcase the creative talents of its members, who have developed skills in writing, acting, photography, editing, directing, animation, lighting arts, and sound engineering through various programs offered by institutions such as Sharjah Children, Sharjah Youth, and Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah. A photo exhibition was held at three locations over the course of a week, featuring 14 films that included short films and cartoons. The event highlighted the foundation's goal of providing creative platforms for its members to showcase their innovations and nurture emerging talents in an environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2024/12/24/jawaher-welcomes-40-youngsters-from-gcc-nations-to-sharjah-event