Kouoh, the first African woman to helm the Venice Biennale, has passed away. She was born in Cameroon in 1967 and had been executive director and chief curator at Zeitz since 2019. Kouoh was appointed as artistic director for the Korean Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale and had also curated Scent of Korea, a pavilion featuring four Korean artists, including Binna Choi. Her passing has left an immense void in the world of contemporary art, with Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni expressing her condolences to Kouoh's family and friends.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-11/culture/artsDesign/Koyo-Kouoh-2026-Venice-Art-Biennale-curator-dies-suddenly-at-age-58/2304610The 1-54 art fair in New York City featured a diverse range of artworks from over 70 African diaspora artists, including those from Tunisian and Egyptian heritage. The fair's booths, which cost between $10,000 to $25,000, showcased the work of galleries based in Paris, Brazil, Japan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Bahamas. Artist Matheus Marques Abu had his piece "The Dialectics of the Jump" (2025) on display, while a collective exhibition called Crossfigurations featured eight Caribbean mid-Atlantic artists curated by Atlantic Arthouse.
https://hyperallergic.com/1011479/conversation-flows-at-1-54-contemporary-african-art-fair/Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a recognition of his long-standing connection to the event that spans over half a century. His history with the festival dates back to 1976 when he starred in two films, Taxi Driver and 1900, both of which premiered in competition at Cannes. De Niro has since become a regular on the Croisette, appearing in several films including The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, and The Mission, all of which won the Palme d'Or. He has also served as president of the jury in 2011 for Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life.
https://channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/oscar-actor-robert-de-niro-5121041Artists and galleries are showcasing their works at various events in Los Angeles. Constanza Kramer Garfias's tapestries were displayed at Kendra Jayne Patrick gallery, while Ada Friedman's work was also featured there. Margaux Williamson's installation was seen at Bradley Ertaskiran. Julia Jo's artwork was on view at Charles Moffett. Corbett vs. Dempsey had a booth at the Independent, alongside other artists and galleries.
https://hyperallergic.com/1011406/downtown-new-york-shines-at-the-independent-art-fair/The UK act Remember Monday, comprising Charlotte Steele, Holly-Anne Hull and Lauren Byrne, will be the first girl group to represent the country in over 25 years at Eurovision on May 17. The band performed with matching corset's, Charlotte wore knee-high heeled boots, and Holly-Anne opted for chunky stilettos under blue strobe lighting that highlighted a giant chandelier with large candles on stage.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14697595/Iconic-band-Britain-Eurovision-McFly.htmlThe Other Art Fair, held in Boerum Hill's ZeroSpace, offers an intimate setting for artists to showcase their work, featuring 127 artists from 14 countries, including a strong Brooklyn presence. The fair, presented by Saatchi Art, aims to make art more accessible, allowing visitors to engage with artists and potentially purchase affordable pieces.
https://hyperallergic.com/1011365/who-says-you-have-to-leave-brooklyn-to-go-to-an-art-fair/Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim received a courtesy visit from singer Siti Nurhaliza, who discussed her role in educating and inspiring young entertainers with her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa. The conversation also touched on the importance of diversity in artistic performances to remain relevant to new generations.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/09/siti-nurhaliza-pays-courtesy-call-on-pm-anwar-talks-arts-youth-and-cultural-relevance/176194Teruko Yokoi's Noh Theater exhibition at Hollis Taggart in New York will run until June 14. The show features abstract expressionist works, including those by artists who use masks as a metaphor for their journey. Frieze New York 2025 is also taking place in the city, with various exhibitions and events showcasing art from around the world.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/05/06/new-yorks-hotel-chelsea-honors-the-late-artist-teruko-yokoi-with-new-restaurantSir Simon Rattle and Annie Lennox have backed amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, joining a list of high-profile creatives including Elton John, David Furnish, Russell T Davies, Dua Lipa, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kazuo Ishiguro, Sir Elton John, Wretch32, Martin McDonagh, Jeanette Winterson, Richard Curtis, and Baroness Kidron. The group includes institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic, the Young Vic, and the English National Ballet, who have signed a letter to Keir Starmer urging him to protect artists' copyright from "profit-seeking" AI companies.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14696229/Dua-Lipa-Paul-McCartney-400-British-entertainment-titans-urging-Government-abandon-AI-copyright-plans-creative-works-raided-US-tech-firms.html