A giant whale sculpture made from ocean plastic waste has been installed in London, sparking concerns that it may contain debris from the 2011 tsunami. The sculpture, created by artist Junichi Kawanishi, is composed of over 100 tons of plastic waste collected from the ocean. Experts are now examining the material to determine if any of the debris came from the 2011 tsunami, which devastated Japan and triggered a global awareness about marine pollution.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250420/p2g/00m/0na/006000cA group of Zimbabwean artists, including an Oxford alumnus and a professor of African history, initially planned a large project to commemorate Cecil Rhodes in Oxford, but faced funding issues. The project was scaled down after Oriel College provided £10,000 for a smaller exhibition. Richard Pantlin, the Oxford alumnus and co-founder of OZAP, hopes that the project can be revived in the future, despite the initial setback.
https://apnews.com/article/zimbabwe-stone-sculpture-art-colonialism-3f8140bbb2188dc868aebb49764c7b75Donetsk Regional State Administration is planning a series of exhibitions to showcase the region's rich history beyond its association with war and destruction. The first exhibition, featuring recreated Easter eggs from the destroyed Mariupol museum, will be held in Kyiv, highlighting the cultural heritage of Ukraine.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3983888-photo-exhibition-dedicated-to-sviatohirsk-lavra-opens-in-donetsk-region.htmlChancellor Rachel Reeves has removed 31 artworks from No 11, including portraits of Sir Isaac Newton and former prime ministers William Pitt and Henry Pelham, in favor of abstract paintings depicting "Covid anxiety" and social distancing. The new collection includes works by artists Donna Coleman and Gillian Wearing, which have been met with criticism from Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who accused Reeves of being ashamed to celebrate British history and tradition.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14628819/31-works-axed-Rachel-Reeves-art-vandals-ashamed-British.htmlSan Diego's mayor is facing opposition to proposed budget cuts that could affect the city's arts and cultural institutions. The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, which relies on public funding for youth programs, may be impacted. Gloria defended the cuts, citing economic reality, while Talamantez urged reconsideration, highlighting the struggle of local artists who rely on public support to create high-quality work.
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-arts-face-potential-funding-cuts-in-mayors-proposed-budget/509-2858629a-d5b9-4a56-9ede-b59eb5a21f4fSharjah, UAE, is gearing up to receive the 2024 World Book Capital title, following Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's announcement as the 2025 host city. Director Marwa Al Aqroubi emphasized Sharjah's commitment to supporting fellow cities through sharing its experience and expertise gained during its 2019 World Book Capital year. The initiative championed cultural diversity, knowledge sharing, and books as catalysts for community growth.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/04/20/sharjah-shares-sustainable-cultural-model-in-franceJapanese artist Tamayama, 34, has held the youngest solo show at a museum, with his work featuring recurring motifs from his first job as a janitor, including mops. His exhibition "Past Works Floors" at Gasbon Metabolism in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, includes pieces like "Pipeline (Mop)" and "Models (Pair, 6 sets, 12 rings)", a 20-meter long sculpture of suspended mobiles.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/04/20/art/takuro-tamayama/San Diego's art community is expressing concern over proposed city budget cuts, which could impact funding for local arts programs and events. Elizabeth Sanchez of CBS 8 reports that the San Diego City Council is considering a $1 million reduction in the city's cultural arts budget, citing financial constraints. The cuts would affect organizations such as the San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Symphony, which rely heavily on municipal funding to operate. Local artists and art advocates are worried that the reductions will limit access to arts programs for underserved communities and stifle creativity in the city.
https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/local/san-diego-arts-face-potential-funding-cuts-in-mayors-proposed-budget/509-d5c61b8a-8b88-4203-853a-4f24e6f46587A new exhibition, Reverberations: Lineages in Design History, challenges traditional views of design history by showcasing diverse and indigenous designs, including Navajo weaving and the work of Melissa Cody, Madeline Tomer Shay, Sarah Sockbeson, Theresa Secord, William Villalongo, and Shraddha Ramani. The exhibition, now on display at the Ford Foundation Gallery in Manhattan, highlights the importance of recognizing the contributions of Indigenous people to design history, particularly in relation to the ancient Mississippian metropolis of Cahokia, with its massive earthen mounds like Monks Mound.
https://hyperallergic.com/1004814/vision-of-design-that-transcends-empire-grid-reverberations-ford-foundation-gallery/