Things of Beauty: Madame de Pompadour, Patroness of 18th Century French Arts

Things of Beauty: Madame de Pompadour, Patroness of 18th Century French Arts takes the shape of an exhibition that will be held at The National Gallery London, starting Thursday, December 12 2024 as a commemoration of a sophisticated, international icon of style, luxury and the arts - Marquise de Pompadour. The exhibition opens the following week of one of the most important decorative arts auctions of the year - Treasures London at Sotheby’s, which will be held on December 4, 2024 and present for sale, works of historical and bold scale, design and beauty, including a chance find of four gilt-bronze scones belonging to Madame de Pompadour. These scones have been in Yorkshire Hotel at Swinton Park for the last 140 years but have somehow never been found. This is a significant moment in history to celebrate one of the most underestimated key figures behind the developments of the 18th century French art landscape. Tickets will be available for VIP members to preview the collection one day before opening on Wednesday, December 11 2024 after which it will be open to public. Remarkable pieces of 18th century French Rococo style will be on display, keeping Madame de Pompadour’s love for luxury and the arts at the heart of the show’s inspiration. 50 pieces of art ranging from paintings, sculptures and objet d’arts, some of which will be from the personal collection of Madame de Pompadour and revolving around her dedicated patronage to the French arts, will be on display at The National Gallery’s Level 2, Central Hall and connecting gallery Rooms 30, 31 & 32 till February 10, 2025. 3. The exhibition will be an ode to the profound legacy left behind by Madame de Pompadour, one of the most influential patrons of 18th century arts. As the chief mistress and confidant to King Louis XV, she was also a visionary cultural leader and held a ministerial role, behind the scenes, that played a huge part in transforming the landscape of French society, while dabbling in politics, beauty and intellect through multi mediums of art. The exhibition curates a careful selection of works, that acknowledge Madame de Pompadour’s patronage of some of the finest prolific portrait painters, artisans, craftsmen and philosophers of her time, including the highlight of the show - a series of prints engraved by Madame de Pompadour herself. From her patronage and contribution to Rococo art and style to her influence on the development of French luxury through porcelain, furniture and tapestry - Madame de Pompadour\u27s impact continues to resonate in the art world today. The exhibition attempts to capture her enduring legacy and the cultural richness she cultivated, shaping the artistic course of her era. In this dynamic show the artists on display include prolific painters Franois Boucher (1703-1770), Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1704-1788), Francois-Hubert Drouais (1727-1775), Jean Marc Nattier (1685-1766), Charles Nicolas Cochin II (1715-1790) and Jean-Honor Fragonard (1732-1806). 18th Century French Cabinetmakers Jean-Franois Oeben (1721-1763) and Gilles Joubert (1689-1775) and French rococo sculptors Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785) and Etienne Maurice Falconnet (1716-1791). It will also be showing skilled goldsmiths and designers of the time under the patronage of Madame de Pompadour - Jean-Claude Duplessis (1699-1774) and Jean Ducrollay (1710-1787

Take Shrigley’s Word for It

This essay investigates the complexities of text-based art and contemporary conceptualism by focusing on David Shrigley’s work. By exploring the origins, evolution, and function of language-based practices, Take Shrigley’s Word for It emphasizes the artist’s use of text across various mediums, all of which occupy textual fields, blurring the line between commercial and fine art. Despite Shrigley’s extensive career, limited scholarship exists on his eccentric pairing of words and visuals, as well as his abundant spaces dedicated to sales. This paper also considers how Shrigley transformed the practice of text-based art by making it accessible and relatable to wide ranging audiences through his use of easily attainable mediums such as books and phone cases, his pricing strategies, and by his inclusion of culturally specific humor. Illustrated by an in-depth historical overview of text-based art, this study examines other influential artists from the 1960s to the present-day who have recontextualized words as their central medium. At study’s conclusion, one will just have to take Shrigley’s word for it

Resilience and Reflection: An Artistic Response to October 7th

On October 7th, 2023, a series of tragic events unfolded, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of many, particularly within the Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide. This exhibition, “Resilience and Reflection: Artistic Responses to October 7th, aims to explore the complex tapestry of emotions and narratives that emerged from that day, seen through the eyes of both emerging and established artists from Israel. Art has long served as a powerful tool for processing collective trauma and catalyzing communal healing. In commemorating the first anniversary of these events, this exhibition seeks not only to remember the lives and stories interwoven with October 7th but also to showcase the incredible capacity of human beings to seek hope and renewal in the face of despair. The works presented here span a range of mediums—painting, sculpture, digital media, and installation art. Each piece is a personal response, reflecting the artist’s unique perspective and emotional journey related to the events of that day. By bringing together these diverse artistic voices, the exhibition aims to offer a broad yet intimate reflection on the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. As visitors walk through “Resilience and Reflection the hope is that they will engage deeply with the artworks, each telling a story of struggle, memory, and the relentless pursuit of peace. The goal is for every visitor to leave with a renewed sense of connection to these events, a deeper understanding of their impact, and an appreciation for the role of art in navigating our shared human experiences. This exhibition is not only a testament to the strength and courage of those who have lived through these times but also a call to all of us to reflect, remember, and respond to our world with empathy and resilience. Through these artistic expressions, may we find common ground and a path forward together

MiMi Art Space

MiMi Art Space is a pioneering cultural hub that blends the intimacy of an artist’s studio with the accessibility of a gallery, creating an immersive environment where art, food, and community converge. Situated in London’s vibrant Shoreditch neighborhood, a renowned destination for its dynamic art scene and creative energy, MiMi Art Space embraces the area’s spirit of innovation. The diverse community of artists, designers, and art enthusiasts makes Shoreditch the ideal backdrop for MiMi Art Space’s mission to redefine the art experience. Founded by visionary artists Fei Li and Milan Zou, MiMi Art Space offers a rare opportunity for patrons to experience art as an essential part of everyday life. The space occupies a unique position between traditional gallery and studio models, breaking down barriers that often separate artists from their audiences. Unlike the distant or overly commercialized feeling conveyed by conventional galleries, MiMi Art Space fosters a welcoming, interactive environment where visitors are invited to engage deeply with art and the creative process. At the core of MiMi Art Space are open studio exhibitions led individually by founders Fei Li and Milan Zou, demystifying the art-making process by offering a transparent view into each artist’s creative world. Rooted in data and sound art, Fei’s work explores themes of digital identity and societal impact, while Milan’s paintings investigate cultural heritage and self-expression within a globalized context. Visitors can witness the evolution of each piece from early sketches to completed works and are encouraged to ask questions, explore the materials and tools used, and gain insights into each artist’s inspirations and methods. This direct engagement transforms the typical art experience into a living, evolving process, fostering a meaningful connection between artist and audience and inviting people to see art as both a practice and a journey. Complementing the open studios, MiMi Art Space also features the art studio dining project, a unique culinary experience pairing Sichuan-inspired cuisine with the immersive setting of an intimate gallery. This seasonal, six-course menu, priced at £138 per pair, invites patrons to enjoy the richness of Sichuan culture through flavors meant to be shared, enhancing the communal aspect of both dining and art appreciation. Each dish is crafted to reflect Sichuan cuisine’s heritage while creating a harmonious connection with Fei and Milan’s surrounding artworks. The dining experience becomes a sensory dialogue between culinary and visual arts, allowing guests to appreciate both in an interactive way that is layered with cultural meaning. By merging food and art, the art studio dining project offers a unique experience that redefines traditional gallery dining. MiMi Art Space also hosts quarterly artist-sharing events, bringing together a diverse range of guest artists to share their creative processes, inspirations, and insights. Each event is centered on a specific theme, allowing attendees to explore various artistic practices, from photography and illustration to abstract painting and digital media. These events often include hands-on activities, allowing guests to experiment with techniques firsthand and gain a deeper appreciation of the creative process. Each event is paired with traditional Chinese snacks carefully selected to reflect the event’s theme, adding a sensory and cultural depth. For example, a landscape photography event might feature teas and delicate snacks, while an abstract painting session might include bold, spicy flavors that echo the artwork’s energy. This attention to sensory detail makes each artist-sharing event a multi-sensory experience, enriching the connection between art, culture, and community. MiMi Art Space redefines how art can be enjoyed and experienced by combining the openness of an artist’s studio, the experiential appeal of gallery dining, and the warmth of communal cultural events. Through its thoughtful, inclusive approach, MiMi Art Space creates a sanctuary for creative expression and cultural exchange, inviting patrons to see art as a vibrant, integral part of life. The unique Shoreditch setting further enhances this vision, positioning MiMi Art Space as a beacon of innovation and connection in one of London’s most dynamic creative districts

Journey to Enlightenment: The Spiritual Essence of Himalayan Art

Journey to Enlightenment: The Spiritual Essence of Himalayan Art is a groundbreaking and relocatable exhibition, with its inaugural presentation envisioned at Hong Kong\u27s M+ Museum. This immersive exhibition redefines how audiences engage with Himalayan art, shifting the focus from its historical and decorative interpretations to its intangible essence—the spiritual energy, emotional resonance, and universal truths that inspired its creation. By integrating advanced technologies such as VR, AI, and lighting design, the exhibition reconstructs the original context in which these artifacts were created, offering a transformative experience that bridges the gap between ancient spiritual practices and contemporary engagement. The concept of this exhibition is rooted in the idea that Himalayan art is not merely an aesthetic or cultural artifact but a spiritual tool designed to awaken inner qualities such as compassion, wisdom, and serenity. The exhibition includes works by Tertön such as Pegyal Lingpa, whose Terma (hidden treasures) embody spiritual teachings intended to reawaken humanity\u27s connection to the sacred; Pema Rinzin, a master Thangka painter whose intricate works serve as meditative guides; and Lulu Li, a contemporary artist who uses new media to explore the intersection of technology and spirituality. Their contributions span traditional and contemporary practices, highlighting the continuity and adaptability of Himalayan spiritual values. Divided into thematic zones such as the Chamber of Compassion and the Sanctuary of Serenity, the exhibition invites visitors on a journey of introspection and connection. For example, Pegyal Lingpa’s revealed treasures are displayed in an immersive environment using projection mapping to evoke their discovery, while Lulu Li’s interactive installations use AR to reveal hidden layers within traditional Thangka paintings, offering audiences a heart-to-heart connection with the art. Each zone is carefully designed to balance historical authenticity with modern relevance, creating a multisensory experience that resonates emotionally and spiritually. This exhibition is particularly timely as the global art world increasingly values experiential and immersive formats, and as audiences seek deeper, more meaningful cultural engagements. By addressing the market’s current gap in spiritually focused exhibitions, Journey to Enlightenment provides an innovative framework for exploring Himalayan art’s enduring relevance. Its alignment with M+ Museum’s architectural openness and technological capabilities ensures a compelling and feasible debut, while its portable design facilitates future iterations in venues worldwide, extending its impact. Through its focus on Himalayan art’s intangible essence, its collaboration with diverse artists, and its integration of modern technologies, Journey to Enlightenment offers a revolutionary perspective on art as a living force for transformation. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of Himalayan spiritual and cultural heritage while providing a much-needed sanctuary for introspection in an increasingly fast-paced world

ArtAccess

ArtAccess is dedicated to revolutionizing the art market by making art accessible to everyone. ArtAcess provides flexible payment options through interest-free installment plans, enabling art enthusiasts to own and enjoy artwork immediately. Simultaneously, it empowers artists, galleries, and collectors by ensuring full and timely payments. Our in-house art advisory services offer tailored guidance, ensuring every client—whether a novice collector, seasoned investor, or corporate buyer—has the tools to make confident and informed decisions. ArtAccess is committed to fostering transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability within the art world, aiming to integrate art as a tangible and meaningful aspect of everyday life

Tradition Reimagined

Tradition Reimagined explores the dynamic intersection of traditional Mexican craftsmanship and contemporary art, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Mexico while embracing innovative artistic practices. This exhibition brings together an extraordinary collaboration between Mexican artisans, whose ancestral techniques have been passed down through generations, and contemporary artists who reinterpret these traditions through a modern lens. Hosted at Galería Kurimanzutto’s Chelsea space in New York, the exhibition highlights the importance of preserving artisanal practices in an era where immediacy and mass production threaten their sustainability. Artisans from regions such as Oaxaca, Jalisco, Chiapas, and Puebla bring their expertise in weaving, ceramics, wood carving, onyx craftsmanship and textiles, infusing each piece with deep cultural significance and sustainable practices. Alongside them, contemporary artists—including Bárbara SánchezKane, Mario Garcìa Torres, Ana Segovia, José Dávila, Pia Camil, and Gabriel de la Mora—draw inspiration from these traditional methods, creating works that reflect the enduring relevance of Mexican cultural identity in the global art world. The dialogue between tradition and innovation is central to this exhibition. Through carefully curated pairings of contemporary artworks and artisanal pieces, Tradition Reimagined emphasizes the mutual influence and respect shared between these two creative worlds. Sánchez-Kane’s textile-based works, crafted in collaboration with artisans from Chiapas, and Segovia’s vibrant paintings enhanced by artisans’ contributions from Guadalajara, exemplify how traditional techniques can inspire new narratives. Similarly, Dávila’s use of construction refuse and local materials, paired with Oaxacan artisans’ hand-carving techniques, underscores the role of sustainability and resourcefulness in both art and craft. Beyond aesthetic appreciation, Tradition Reimagined invites viewers to consider the social and economic importance of supporting artisans in Mexico. For many communities, artisanship is not only a form of cultural preservation but also a vital source of income. By fostering collaborations between contemporary artists and artisans, this exhibition advocates for the continuation of these practices, ensuring they are passed down to future generations. In choosing Kurimanzutto as the venue, Tradition Reimagined acknowledges the gallery’s pivotal role in promoting Mexican contemporary art on an international stage. Its Chelsea space offers an ideal setting to celebrate the dialogue between past and present, tradition and modernity, and Mexico’s vibrant artistic legacy. Through this exhibition, Tradition Reimagined seeks to challenge perceptions of what defines art and craft, creating a space where both are equally revered. It is a tribute to the skill, creativity, and resilience of Mexican artisans and artists, and an invitation to reimagine tradition as a living, evolving expression of cultural identity

The Freller Gallery: A Business Concept for a Vienna based Art Gallery.

This business plan explores Vienna\u27s potential as a future global art capital and presents a comprehensive business plan for the establishment of Galerie Freller, a concept for a contemporary art gallery tailored to the city\u27s unique cultural and economic landscape. Through a combination of primary research, including interviews with art industry professionals and surveys of potential clients, and secondary data analysis, the study examines the strengths, challenges and opportunities of Vienna\u27s art market. The findings highlight Vienna\u27s rich art history, its strategic location as a gateway to Eastern Europe and its burgeoning contemporary art scene as key factors for its potential growth. The proposed Freller Gallery takes a hybrid approach that combines local engagement with international collaborations and emphasizes inclusivity, innovation, and adaptability to market trends. The business model includes strategies for pop-up exhibitions, representation of diverse artists and the use of digital platforms for accessibility and revenue generation. By considering the unique demands of the Viennese art market and aligning with global industry trends, this thesis not only outlines a viable plan for Galerie Freller, but also provides valuable insight into the dynamics of building a sustainable art business in a competitive environment

The Space of Art

The business, “The Space of Art,” is a Design-Led E-Commerce Company that integrates design products, art aesthetics, and interior style all in one online place. I intend to establish this art technology company to innovate a business model that sells art and design objects in well arranged and harmonically visual showrooms, displaying them based on color schemes, art themes, and design motifs, boosting and achieving sales in a bundle consumption strategy to grow the business. This idea comes from trying to solve a problem: over-expanding product categories from major and leading e-commerce companies in art and design, such as Artsy and 1stdibs. Their product display is scattered and irrelevant by following up under a traditional catalog, such as artists or product categories. Meanwhile, those companies have been attempting to sell everything in a broad range of business lines and keeping to add new sections, which causes the company to lose focus. As a result, consumers are not able to navigate the website easily and find what they want. Furthermore, consumers purposelessly browse and scroll and feel lost in the colorful art world rather than being impressed, appealed to, and excited to purchase the art. “Space of Art” will make the online shopping experience unique, fun, and exciting by leveraging innovative technology power in algorithms with data-driven behind and bringing well-curated selections and personalized recommendations to consumers. On top of that, this business could also break the barrier of the physical venue of design studios and galleries, which have limited space to show arts and design products. “Space of Art” can provide visual showrooms to help extend the showcasing of arts and designs in online places

CATALYSTA PROYECTO: A hybrid approach to showcasing Latin American Art in the Dominican Republic

Catalysta is a contemporary online art gallery that exclusively features Latin American artists, creating a dedicated platform for these voices to be seen and celebrated on the global stage. Our mission is to simplify the often-overwhelming experience of entering the art world, especially for young collectors who are new to the process. Our product offers a streamlined and accessible way to discover and purchase high-quality artwork without the traditional barriers. By providing information on the artist’s background, a description of the artwork and full disclosure of the price we offer a simple way of accessing and acquiring an art piece. We have always believed that the traditional art gallery model, with its often exclusive and frequently intimidating atmosphere, doesn’t cater to the modern, diverse, and younger audience that Catalysta serves. However, through our experience, we’ve also learned that an exclusively digital approach requires the occasional physical touchpoint to effectively engage collectors and art lovers. These physical exhibitions complement our online gallery and reinforce the personal connections between collectors, artists, and the art itself. Catalysta’s experience in its infancy has reinforced the fact that the future of art is in blending the convenience of digital access with the intimacy of occasional, well-curated physical exhibitions. With this knowledge, we continue to refine our approach, evolving Catalysta into a platform that offers the best of both worlds – an 11 innovative online gallery supported by meaningful, immersive physical interactions. Catalysta’s next initiative is to test a small physical gallery in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the gallery can showcase the artworks of the talented artists that Catalysta represents. This physical space endeavors to be more than a traditional gallery space – it will be a dynamic, nontraditional program that reflects the evolving way people engage with art. In addition to the exhibitions, the space will serve as a testing ground for innovative programming that, if successful, can be replicated into other cities. It allows Catalysta to further explore how a hybrid model – combining digital platforms with in-person, immersive experiences – can drive engagement and sale