Vian Borchert: Visionary Expressions in Turquoise AbstractionsArt With A Bite: CoBrA Sale Returns To Bonhams AuctionWhat’s Wrong With “Buying Local” When It Comes to Art?Exclusive Interview with Prof. Megan Heber – Part 1: A Journey from Music to Military to Art

Tag: United States

Boston Red Sox Memorabilia Hits It Out of the Park as Lucchino’s Baseball Collection Brings in $740K

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A piece of Red Sox history just sold for six figures—can you guess what it was? The late Larry Lucchino’s legendary memorabilia collection shattered expectations at Bonhams Skinner, with items from the curse-breaking 2004 World Series fetching jaw-dropping prices. From the Commissioner’s Trophy selling for an astounding $165,000 to a pair of old Fenway seats commanding 21 times their estimate, passionate bidding proved that Red Sox Nation is as strong as ever. But that’s just the beginning—some of the biggest surprises came from unexpected items. Read on to see the full list of record-breaking sales!

The Man Who Knew Shelby: An Exclusive Interview with Wallace Wyss on the American Racing Legend and His Art

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Wallace Wyss is a man of many talents—writer, historian, and artist—whose passion for automobiles, particularly the legendary AC Cobra, has defined his career. From his early days as a journalist to his transformation into a fine artist, Wyss has spent decades documenting the machines and personalities that shaped automotive history. In this interview, he reflects on his journey, his encounters with racing icon Carroll Shelby, and his enduring fascination with the artistry of high-performance cars.

Surrealist Prints Achieve Historic White Glove Success with 100% of Lots Sold at Auction

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Amid continued strong demand for Surrealist art, Bonhams achieved ‘white glove’ results—100% of lots sold—for Surrealist Treasures | The Urban S. Hirsch III Collection. The highly anticipated auction, which concluded on January 17 in Los Angeles, garnered an astonishing $778,000 in total sales, with numerous lots exceeding pre-sale estimates and setting new records.

Brief History of Tense US-Canada Relations Through Iconic Art

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Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state might sound like political theater, but it has reignited debates about the deeply intertwined histories of these neighboring nations. From the burning of the White House in 1814 to the cultural exchanges reflected in historic art, the U.S. and Canada share a relationship defined by collaboration, conflict, and mutual influence. Explore this unique bond through the lens of iconic artworks that reveal the stories, tensions, and identities shaping two nations separated by a border—but connected by history.

Xiaodong Ma: Tackling Social Issues Through Visual Art

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Art has the power to transcend words, evoke emotions, and ignite critical conversations. For Chicago-based artist and designer Xiaodong Ma, this transformative power is the driving force behind his work. Through visual art, Xiaodong tackles pressing societal and environmental challenges, seamlessly bridging the gap between creativity and advocacy. His passion lies in exploring the intricate relationships between humanity, nature, sustainability, and consumption. Xiaodong channels these themes into thought-provoking projects that push the boundaries of artistic expression. In this article, we delve into three of his most impactful social critique projects—A BLANK, 2e-, and Repairing Society—each a testament to his commitment to using art as a catalyst for meaningful change.

Oldest Ten Commandments Tablet Shatters Auction Records, Selling for $5 Million at Sotheby’s

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In a stunning moment for history and collectors alike, the oldest inscribed tablet of the Ten Commandments has achieved an extraordinary $5 million price tag at Sotheby’s New York, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of $1-2 million. The artifact, a singular treasure from the Late Roman-Byzantine era (ca. 300-800 CE), is believed to be the only complete stone inscription of the commandments surviving from antiquity.

One of the Most Important Musical Instruments Ever to Appear at Auction: $18M Stradivarius to Shape the Future of Music

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Stradivarius Violin

A dazzling relic from music history is about to command the global stage. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, a violin crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari’s legendary “Golden Period,” is poised to set hearts racing when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s in February 2025. With a jaw-dropping estimate of $12–18 million, this rare masterpiece promises not only to rewrite auction records but also to transform the future of classical music education.

From Prank Calls to Provocative TV Drama: Exclusive Interview with Kamal Ahmed on Comedy, Creativity, and Crash the System | Part 1

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In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, Kamal Ahmed—best known as one-half of the iconic comedy duo ‘The Jerky Boys’—opens up about his creative evolution from prank call comedy to the bold satire of his latest project, ‘Crash the System’. Reflecting on his New York upbringing, Grammy-nominated career, and his lifelong passion for storytelling, Ahmed shares how his comedic roots and artistic sensibilities inform his approach to tackling heavy themes like political polarization, covert racism, and societal dysfunction. With ‘Crash the System’, Ahmed proves that while his medium has shifted, his ability to entertain, challenge, and provoke remains as sharp as ever.

Surrealist Art Market Shows Strong Momentum with Record Sales and High Demand

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The surrealist art market is currently experiencing a notable period of growth, evidenced by strong auction results and heightened collector interest. Recent sales in New York, Paris, and London reflect a robust appetite for works from this historically significant movement. René Magritte’s L’empire des Lumières (1954) led the market in 2024, achieving $121.16 million at Christie’s New York—the highest price ever paid for a surrealist artwork. This sale underscores a broader trend of sustained demand for surrealist pieces, both from marquee names and historically underrepresented artists.

Duct-Taped Banana Sells for $6.2 Million vs. 6.2 Million Children Die from Starvation Each Year

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A banana duct-taped to a wall has just sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s in New York, an event hailed by art critics as a record-breaking triumph. But as headlines celebrate this bizarre spectacle of wealth, one must confront an unsettling parallel: every year, 6.2 million children die from starvation, mostly in Africa. That’s over 17,000 children a day. While crypto millionaires and provocateurs play with their money in the name of “art,” over 700 million people around the world go to bed hungry. There’s something deeply rotten in our global culture when a piece of duct tape and a banana is valued more than the lives of millions dying from preventable causes.