Sandro Botticelli: The Renaissance Visionary Who Painted the SoulExclusive Interview with Mike Habs, a Punk Rock Abstract Artist who Goes BigSurreal Nudes: Paul Delvaux’s Masterpiece L’Orage Sells for $1.6 Million1960s Portraits of Famous Artists by Renowned TIME & LIFE Magazines Photographer Ben Martin are Now on View at Artplex Gallery, LA
Maurice Leloir’s Four Historical Scenes Sell for €128,600 at BonhamsJacob Jordaens’s Portrait of His Wife Sells for €154,200 at BonhamsRenaissance Portrait Attributed to Conrad Faber Sells for €295,000 at BonhamsJodi the Nanotyrannus Sells for US$47.3 Million at Sotheby’sQianlong Emperor’s Jewel-Encrusted Gold Ewer Sells for US$7.11 Million at Christie’sHockney’s €282,200 Print Leads Warhol and Banksy in €1.06 Million Bonhams SaleMV Agusta Sells for $1.3 Million, Setting an Italian Motorcycle Auction RecordEnigma Machine Sells for £203,600 at Bonhams: Inside the 1941 Cipher DeviceUzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900Yusuf Grillo’s One Man Band Sets Artist Auction Record at £461,300Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu Sells for £602,100, Setting a Sculpture Record at BonhamsRare Gandhi Portrait Achieves £152,800, Tripling Its EstimateBanksy’s British Cool Mickey Snake Triumphs at Bonhams, Selling for £330,600Whistler’s First Portrait Commission Sells for Five Times Estimate, Fetching $495,000Bridget Riley Stuns Art World as Myrrh Soars to $2.36M at Bonhams

Artists

Artist interviews, profiles, and stories exploring the people and ideas behind the work.

Photographing Paradox: Exclusive Interview with Dustin Ha – Part 1

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Creased photographic print of a person in sunglasses among pink flowers and green foliage.

Dustin Ha, a Korean-American native of Los Angeles raised in El Salvador, seamlessly embodies three distinct identities, persistently navigating the landscape of an outsider. Through the lens of his camera, he uncovers a profound sense of purpose, dispelling the persistent Sisyphean anxiety that has long haunted him. Fearlessly confronting inner demons through meticulous photography, Ha celebrates the inherent misfit in all of us. With a masterful use of juxtaposition and unconventional formats, he weaves a compelling and unique narrative that takes center stage in Part 1 of our Exclusive Interview.

REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE: Spectacular Photographic Journey by Dustin Ha

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Dead Lines by Dustin Ha, a black-and-white photograph of a person in a swimsuit and head wrap on a roof, crossed by diagonal folds.

Mon Dieu Projects is thrilled to announce friend of the gallery Dustin Ha’s debut photography exhibition: “REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE.” This challenging collection of 26 large format photographs will be unveiled on Saturday, February 10th, at the Helen J Gallery, located at 929 Cole Ave in Los Angeles. The reception is scheduled from 5 to 9 pm. In this daring collection, Dustin Ha challenges conventional norms by folding, framing, and installing each piece at unique angles. The result is a presentation that defies predictability and embraces nonfungible rarity, offering attendees a true 1 of 1 experience that transcends the boundaries of fine art photography.

Projection Mapping and Emotional Connections: Xianzhi Fu’s Visual Art Odyssey

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Xianzhi Fu in a blue coat and patterned boots, seated on a wooden stepladder.

As a visual artist living in New York, Xianzhi Fu explores the connection between nature and the body. She is currently focusing on video installation and video art, employing a blend of media, including video mapping, sculpture, and photography, to create evocative pieces that resonate deeply. One representation of her artwork is “Mind Habitat.” If you visit the “Mind Habitat” exhibition in person, you will find that it has a soundtrack, allowing people to interact with both light and sound. The synergy between visual elements, such as light and shadow, and auditory elements, like music, can enhance the overall immersive experience for the audience. This creates a multisensory environment in which you can enter the world that Xianzhi creates during meditation.

Rediscovered Renaissance: Parmigianino’s Hidden Drawing Unveiled in Bologna

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Holy Family drawing on tan paper, with a seated figure holding a child beneath drapery and another child at lower right.

Amid the gathering of esteemed institutions and dignitaries, a significant revelation took center stage: an unpublished drawing, measuring 18.9 cm by 17.7 cm, depicting a holy family. This masterpiece, hailing from the esteemed collection of Emile Calando, was presented by a prominent Bolognese company. Notably, this drawing had once shared a space with works by titans like Michelangelo and Raphael and was now speculated to be a rare gem from Parmigianino’s early Roman period, reflecting clear Mannerist undertones.

Exclusive Interview with Dan Lam – Dripping Sculptures

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Rounded sculpture by Dan Lam with blue, green and yellow droplet textures and long pink-tipped drips.

Dan Lam, an internationally recognized contemporary artist and influential figure in social media, is based in Texas. Known for her unique sculptural works, Lam expertly blends unconventional materials, organic shapes, and vivid colors to explore intricate dichotomies. Her art, oscillating between beauty and the surreal, encourages viewers to contemplate deeper meanings while invoking a sense of both familiarity and wonder. Influenced by luminaries like James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, and Lynda Benglis, Lam’s distinctive sculptures have solidified her status as a preeminent figure in today’s contemporary art landscape.

Making Your Life Sparkle – Luxury Jewelry and Custom Design from JM Gems

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Octopus-shaped JM Gems jewel with a pearl-like centre and curling arms set with blue and yellow stones.

In the world of high-end custom jewelry, JM Gems, founded by the female entrepreneur Peggy Elias Nakhle, has firmly established itself as a luxury firm known for its artistic brilliance and precision craftsmanship. For over a decade, JM Gems has been enchanting the world with its bespoke creations, capturing the hearts of jewelry lovers, celebrities, and even royals across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and now North America.

Richard Diebenkorn’s Painting Sells for $46.4 Million at Christie’s

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Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad by Richard Diebenkorn, with floral patterns and geometric planes of blue, green and yellow

In a groundbreaking Christie’s auction on November 9, 2023, Richard Diebenkorn’s seminal artwork, “Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad,” achieved a record-setting price of $46,410,000 US. Painted in 1965, this monumental canvas, measuring 181.3 x 211.1 cm, stands as a testament to Diebenkorn’s transformative encounter with the works of Henri Matisse during a rare trip to the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Diebenkorn’s journey to the Soviet Union was part of a cultural exchange initiated by President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev. During his visit, the artist immersed himself in Matisse’s masterpieces, particularly those housed in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow and the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). This experience had a profound impact on Diebenkorn, inspiring a shift in his artistic approach towards abstracted planes of rich and vibrant color.

Brief History of American Revolutionary Art Through Its Most Iconic Masterpieces

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Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze.

In the midst of the American Revolution, a fervor for independence and a newfound sense of national identity inspired a wave of creativity that would forever shape the artistic landscape of the United States. From stirring political cartoons to iconic portraits of revolutionary leaders, American artists of the 18th century played a crucial role in capturing the spirit of the times. Today, their work stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to reflect and influence the course of history.

Afghan Artists and Cultural Heritage in Extreme Danger: The World is Failing Afghanistan on Two Critical Fronts

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Expressionist painting of a woman with a red face covering and one hand raised to her neck.

The Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) urgently called for the safety of Afghan artists who are categorically persecuted by the Taliban as demonstrated in a new report launched today: Artistic Exodus: Afghan Artists Fleeing Taliban Rule. The report, produced in partnership with UC Berkeley Law Pro Bono Program, brings to light the abuse of people working in music, visual arts, performing arts, film and television, literature, museums, cultural heritage sites and arts education since the regime regained control of Afghanistan two years ago. 

Double Olympian Martial Artist Neil Eckersley: Fighting Dementia Through Visual Art – An Exclusive Interview

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Man holding a face drawing labeled “We Are Olympians” in front of colorful painted circles.

In this insightful interview, we delve into the remarkable journey of Double Olympian Neil Eckersley, a martial artist whose passion for both sports and art has transcended artistic boundaries. Raised in a working-class environment near Manchester, Neil discovered his love for judo at a young age, leading him to become a Double Olympian and secure a Bronze Medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. However, it was a profound personal tragedy, the loss of his older brother, that ignited his passion for visual art. Neil’s artistic expression not only became a form of therapy but also a powerful means to advocate for dementia awareness, a cause close to his heart after witnessing his father’s struggle with the disease. Through his captivating artwork, Neil channels his resilience and Olympian spirit, creating a dialogue around dementia and inspiring change. Join us as we explore the intersection of athleticism, artistry, and advocacy in Neil Eckersley’s extraordinary journey, profoundly shaped by his father’s courage in facing dementia.