Artists

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara named an ‘icon’ of 2021 by Time magazine

The Cuban artist and activist is joined on the publication’s list of 100 Most Influential People by Barbara Kruger and Mark Bradford

‘Opera is boring’: Marina Abramovic’s cinematic ode to soprano Maria Callas opens in London

Belgrade-born performance artist discusses recasting opera for a younger generation, how the diva label is “dubious” and why sex is better post-menopause

San Francisco will greet a new Institute of Contemporary Art

Nascent museum proclaims a commitment to economic justice and expansion of the art canon

Chuck Close, Photo Realist painter of large-scale portraits, has died, aged 81

The outsize artist retreated from public attention in his later years, following a diagnosis of dementia in 2015 and accusations of sexual harassment in 2017

Kaari Upson, Los Angeles artist who obsessively explored identity, family and Americana, has died, aged 51

The artist was known for years-long, multi-pronged projects based on singular figures—such as her mother or a mysterious man she dubbed “Larry”—and subjects

Thatcher and tampons: How Tracey Emin came to sell her unmade bed to Charles Saatchi

British artist says she had previously refused to sell her work to the YBA collector after his ad campaign rocketed Margaret Thatcher to power in 1979

Superblue to bring its immersive art experiences to New York and London this autumn

Dutch duo DRIFT launches multi-sensory exhibition at The Shed, while Japanese-British collective Studio Swine’s presentation will go on show in Pace Gallery’s Burlington Gardens venue

Book ClubInterview

Q&A | What artists wear and why it matters

A new book by the fashion critic Charlie Porter explores how what artists choose to wear can tell us about the multiple roles of clothing in society

Artists will not be subject to anti-money laundering regulations, UK Treasury says

After lobbying from art organisations, government has made last-minute decision that creators who sell their work direct to clients will not be classed as "Art Market Participants"

Flight of the Balloon Dog: Jeff Koons leaves Gagosian and David Zwirner galleries for Pace

The gallery will now represent the shiniest and most expensive living artist worldwide

Biden's repeal of US travel ban ‘changes the game’ for artists coming from Muslim-majority countries

Artistic Freedom Initiative group says the new executive order, overturning Trump's controversial rule, also allows artists to visit home “for the first time in years”

Christo, who wrapped the Reichstag and installed The Gates in Central Park, has died, aged 84

With his late wife and partner Jeanne-Claude, the artist created monumental interventions on architecture and landscape

A mail art renaissance is growing in the US—just as the postal service struggles to survive

Letters and packages have been delivered to Americans since 1775. Now, they can receive some public art too

Brian T Leahy

Beirut art spaces close en-masse as huge anti-government protests take over the city

Artists and institutions come out in support of protestors who are demanding political reforms in Lebanon

KAWS picks his favourite works at Frieze Masters

The US artist and designer has had a life-long love affair with collecting

Artist's copyright infringement suit heads to US Supreme Court

North Carolina used film director’s images without obtaining his permission or compensating him

Interview: William Kentridge on his life lessons

Self-interrogation is central to the work of the South African artist, whose latest piece on show at the Kunstmuseum Basel poses a series of questions that get half-answered

Too white and male? Not for long. Berlin Gallery Weekend director responds to criticism over lack of female artists

Maike Cruse says gender split at event will hopefully diminish in the next five years as many emerging artists are female

How to future-proof a work of art that will not be completed for 100 years

As Katie Paterson's sand castle project goes on tour, we look at how her Future Library is being made to outlive the artist

Copyright case brought by Naf Naf creative director against Jeff Koons finally comes to court

Franck Davidovici first accused the artist of plagiarising his 1985 advertising campaign almost four years ago

Christo’s floating sculpture for London lake gets go ahead

Large-scale installation in Hyde Park is part of artist's Serpentine Gallery show

Public artComment

‘The newly empty plinths are all potential Fourth Plinths’

The artist Hew Locke says a creative response to memorials dedicated to slave owners and empire builders can reveal hidden histories

Frieze 2017Interview

Superflex swings into political action

The Danish collective’s new commission extends beyond the cavernous space of Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall

Christo cancels Over the River project in protest against Trump

After 20 years of planning and spending $15m of his own money, the artist says he has no interest in finishing the project under the current government

Floating Piers: how Italy learnt to love Christo

The artist’s golden walkways on Lake Iseo drew more than 1.2 million visitors in 16 days