Category: Artists

Latest News about Past and Present Artists from Around the World

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Friend Gives Exclusive Interview and Presents New Book about The Artist

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Tom Zatar Kay's book Jean-Michel Basquiat

In this Exclusive Interview with Tom Zatar Kay we talk about his new book: ‘JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT “THE KING”: My Friend SAMO – Late 1970-80s’ as well as The One And Only – Jean-Michel himself! His life. His art. The book features many interesting stories about Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tom’s lifelong friend who he calls SAMO, his interactions with celebrities and contemporary artists of the time. It contains exclusive photos that Tom has taken of people and artworks during his friendship with Jean-Michel.

With no page numbers, the book is intended to become art in itself, containing many pages that can be cut out and framed. Tom also written it to be a historic record for all hard core SAMO fans, a timeless collector’s edition of a high-profile artist who will be remembered forever. It has been purchased by Columba University, various libraries, and leading contemporary professionals from around the world. And now, without further ado, here’s our Exclusive Interview with Tom Zatar Kay.

Amref Health Africa’s ArtBall and Auction Honors Artist Julie Mehretu and the Power of Ethiopian Youth 

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On February 25, 2023 at 26 Bridge in Brooklyn, NY, Amref Health Africa will host their annual ArtBall event  and adjoining art auction, creating a connection between African culture and philanthropy to celebrate and  highlight the talent of the African continent. This year Amref Health Africa will honor world-renowned  Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu with the Rees Visionary Award. 

ArtBall features a Contemporary African, Pan-African, and Black art auction, entertainment, food and  beverages from award-winning Black-owned vendors, an installation, and an award ceremony, and has grown  from just over 300 attendees to nearly 800, with an emphasis on the African diaspora. Notable hosts and guests  have included Solange, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Chris Rock, Antwaun Sargent, Kimberly Drew, Hank Willis  Thomas, Isolde Brielmaier, Shantell Martin, Nina Chanel Abney, Jack Shainman, Young Paris, and many more. 

Jill Miller vs Ariel Pink – How One Artist Armed with NFT Technology is Fighting Back

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Visual artist Jill Miller publicly breaks the silence and stands up for herself and all women who were facing objectification, discrimination, and violation of rights, but does so in a humorous, witty manner. 

Can digital technologies and new media consign gender inequality to history?

On 20 January, TAEX, the NFT contemporary art platform and infrastructure solution, launches a new NFT drop by Jill Miller ‘Ariel Stinks (50 Alternative Covers to Thrash and Burn)’.

The artist strives to attract attention to biased ways of treating women in the arts while sharing her experience and empowering others to speak out.

The Modigliani Affaire

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The death of Amedeo Modigliani and of his devoted partner Jeanne Hebuterne starts one of the most emblematic stories of the Art Market, which will lead the works of the unfortunate Tuscan artist to be subject of an “exceptional enterprise of economic revaluation”.

The acme of the speculative operation has been reached with the auction award for 170,405,000 US dollars of the “Red Nude”, which previously belonged to Gualino Collection and to Feroldi Collection and then in 1950 was acquired by the art collector Gianni Mattioli thanks to the interest of his cousin, Fernanda Wittgens, the then Director of the Pinacoteca di Brera.

The valorization of Modigliani’s Work thus began in the ‘50s on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean: in Europe activities revolved around “Il Milione Gallery” in Milan and in America around Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Dionn Reneé, artist of ‘The Woman King’ film poster, paints Queen Diambi — the real-life ‘Woman King’ | VIDEO

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Dionn Reneé is recognized for her work as a fine artist, graphic designer, and photographer throughout the entertainment industry. She has painted portraits of Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Maya Angelou, who displayed her portrait in her office. This year Dionn has been named ‘Selected Creator’ by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. and Columbia Tristar Marketing Group, Inc. for usage of her original artwork
in the global marketing campaign for the film, ‘The Woman King’.

The recently released Hollywood Blockbuster movie ‘The Woman King’ created a unique opportunity for Reneé, an already internationally recognized artist, to meet and paint an original portrait for the real-life ‘Woman King’ — Queen Diambi.

Deposition of Christ by Donatello – The Mystery of a Restoration

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We learned from the press that the Pontifical Delegation for the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua appointed a scientific committee composed of four scholars to evaluate the conservation and restoration program of the “Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata” which stands out in the square adjacent to the Basilica of Padua.

Since 2020, Ce.St.Art and the association Territori have conceived, promoted, and presented a far-reaching project which covers not only the restoration of the “Gattamelata Statue” but above all the restoration of the “Deposition of Christ” by Donatello stored inside the Basilica and which, while representing an absolute masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, is in a questionable condition.

Mexican Artist Said Dokins and UAE Master-Calligrapher Khalid Al Jallafis Display their Calligraphic Art at Guadalajara International Book Fair 2022

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This year, Guadalajara International Book Fair, the most outstanding meeting of the Spanish-language world, invited the UAE city of Sharjah as a guest of honor. It is the third largest of the seven Emirates and is considered to be the cultural capital of the Arab world by UNESCO.

For nine days, Sharjah Pavilion showcased the Arab culture and literature to Mexico through poetry and literature. There were many productive meetings as well as a variety of artistic and cultural events where writers, editors, researchers, artists, and spokespersons of Arab culture exchanges ideas, laying the foundations to better the relations between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.  

Biennale MArteLive Announces Winners of 16 Art Disciplines and Establishes as Only Multidisciplinary Festival in Europe

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Despite a global pandemic and a devastating war just a few kilometers from two of the project’s partner countries – Poland and Lithuania – the first European edition of the MArteLive Biennial finally comes to an end with the announcement of the winners in the 16 artistic disciplines in the competition.

This concludes the long path of scouting and selection of the 16 best European emerging talents discovered out of over 1100 entries from 47 countries including 27 members of the European Union and 20 neighboring countries because art has no borders and barriers but is open to all. 

The MArteLive Biennial is officially over, but the activities will continue! Next MArteLive Biennial scheduled for October 11-20, 2024.

Stay True To Your Colors – Exclusive Interview with Willem Vos | Part 3

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“I see a digital revolution, but don’t think the amount of money being pumped into it is permanent. I believe more in NFTs that have functionality. That is something that is starting to emerge now and I think will only grow.”

Willem Vos is an enterprising new artist from the Netherlands. After selling his international company, he threw himself completely into making art and selling his works. Mainly because of Willem’s choice to live a different life he has become an inspiration for people that want to successfully change course as well. His artworks are powerful and quite large, they are full of color, energy, and meaning. Clearly Willem has an impressive talent and high potential, which is why The World Art News is pleased to share Part 3 of his First Exclusive Interview with our global audience.

Raphael’s First Signed Painting: The “Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine” of Città di Castello

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Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine, Raphael

In 2010 the “(crypto)signature” in stylized letters “RAFFAEL SANT PXT” and the date 1501 in Roman numerals “MDI” were discovered inserted in the arabesque decoration of the border of Saint Catherine’s mantle.

The presence of Raphael in Città di Castello in those years is proven by the historical sources and consolidated by studies and therefore the date shown on the “small tablet or small panel painting” is perfectly consistent with the biographical events of the Artist.

Moreover, Raphael’s practice of affixing his signature and cryptosignature on paintings was his typical habit during his youthful period and it was also a practice of many other artists before becoming famous.