Welcome to this week’s Weekend Art Digest by Artsted! Your go-to spot for all the latest art news, trends, and happenings around the world. From new exhibitions to exciting artist collaborations, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned every week for the freshest updates and join the conversation!
Art Adviser Lisa Schiff Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison
Lisa Schiff, once a star art adviser to celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding clients of over $2 million.Schiff used funds intended for art purchases to pay off personal debts, including rent and credit cards. The scheme collapsed in 2023 when clients noticed missing payments for works they had bought through her.In addition to prison time, she must pay $2.4 million in restitution. The case has sent shockwaves through the art world, raising concerns about transparency and trust in private art sales.
British Museum Named UK’s Most Visited Attraction (Again!)
For the second year in a row, the British Museum has topped the list of the most visited UK attractions, with nearly 5 million visitors in 2023 — a 27% jump from the year before.
The museum edged out other big names like the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern, showing strong recovery post-pandemic despite recent controversies over stolen artifacts.
Overall, UK museums and galleries saw a nearly 20% rise in attendance last year — a sign the public is back and hungry for culture.
David Zwirner to Open Massive New NYC Flagship This Fall
Mega-gallery David Zwirner is set to open its new 8-story flagship space on W. 19th Street in Chelsea this October.
Designed by starchitect Annabelle Selldorf, the building will feature five public gallery floors, offices, and viewing rooms — all reflecting Zwirner’s growing dominance in the global art market.
The inaugural show? A major exhibition of Donald Judd, one of the gallery’s most iconic artists.
Trump Proposes Major Cuts to U.S. Arts & Culture Funding
In his latest 2025 budget proposal, Donald Trump plans to completely defund key cultural institutions — including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
This isn’t new: Trump made similar proposals during his presidency, though Congress rejected them each time. If passed, the cuts would eliminate federal support for arts, libraries, and museums across the U.S. Many in the arts community are sounding the alarm, warning this move could devastate smaller institutions and cultural programs nationwide.
Bangkok Opens Its First Contemporary Art Museum
Big news for Southeast Asia’s art scene: DIB Bangkok Museum of Contemporary Art has officially opened — becoming Thailand’s first dedicated contemporary art museum.
Founded by Thai collector Disaya Bunnag, the museum features over 300 works from major Asian artists like Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei, and Yoshitomo Nara.
The goal? To position Bangkok as a rising hub for global contemporary art and connect local audiences with international names.
London Auctions Set for a Comeback This Spring
After years of uncertainty, London’s art market is showing signs of recovery. The upcoming Spring 2025 auctions at Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips are expected to outperform recent seasons, with stronger consignments and growing collector confidence.
Highlights include works by Yayoi Kusama, Gerhard Richter, and David Hockney. Experts say this could mark a turning point for London, which has lagged behind New York and Hong Kong post-Brexit.
Lee Bul Joins Hauser & Wirth
Korean art star Lee Bul has officially joined mega-gallery Hauser & Wirth, marking a major move for both the artist and the gallery.
Known for her futuristic installations, sculptures, and cyborg-inspired works, Lee Bul is one of Asia’s most influential contemporary artists. She’ll continue working with Lehmann Maupin in Asia and the U.S., but Hauser & Wirth will now represent her in Europe and other regions.
Her debut solo show with the gallery is set for 2026.
Julien Pradels Named Head of Christie’s Americas
Christie’s has appointed Julien Pradels as its new President of the Americas, signaling a fresh chapter for the auction house’s U.S. leadership.
Pradels, formerly the Global Managing Director of Christie’s Luxury division, brings experience from leading high-profile sales in Paris and expanding Christie’s reach in the luxury market. He’ll now oversee strategy and operations across North and South America. The move comes as Christie’s aims to strengthen its position in a competitive global auction landscape.
Tsuneko Taniuchi & Gabrielle Manglou Win 2024 AWARE Prizes
Artists Tsuneko Taniuchi and Gabrielle Manglou have been awarded the 2024 AWARE Prizes, which honor outstanding women-identifying artists in France.
- Taniuchi won the AWARE Prize for Outstanding Merit for her long-standing performance work exploring identity, feminism, and social norms.
- Manglou received the Emerging Artist Prize for her poetic, politically engaged practice rooted in the history and landscape of Réunion Island.
The AWARE prizes spotlight under-recognized female voices in contemporary art.
