V&A’s Former Academic Head Cites Racist Behavior from Museum Staff

A recently disclosed letter reveals that Yuko Kikuchi, who resigned in January, accused the London institution of systemic racism. Joyce Lee

Grounding the Body: Jin Shan at the Jiayuanhai Art Museum

Staged in dialogue with Tadao Ando’s architecture, Jin Shan’s sculptures invite a renewed awareness of physicality itself. Yuqian Fan

“This is (Not) Conceptual Art” at MMCA Seoul

The exhibition gives form to a spectral term that has long hovered over Korean contemporary art. Jiwon Yu

Japan Enacts Divisive Flag Desecration Law

The Japanese parliament has passed a controversial bill criminalizing any form of vandalism of the national flag. SABRINA HAU

Ferran Barenblit Named Chief Curator of 16th Shanghai Biennale

The Barcelona-based curator will oversee the biennale’s 2027 edition. JOYCE LEE

Weekly News Roundup: July 17, 2026

MONA to open Bangkok outpost, Tromarama debuts Times Square installation, Hoor Al-Qasimi tapped as president of Sharjah Museums Authority, and more. The Editors

Chua Mia Tee, 1931–2026

The forerunner of social realist art in Singapore passed away on July 10, aged 94. JOYCE LEE

Book Review: 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art

Comprising essays from 25 contributors, the publication traces thousands of years of colonialism, scientific racism, and the enduring art and culture in Aboriginal history. Emily Ng

Kiaf SEOUL 2026 Marks a New Chapter for Korea’s Leading Art Fair

Kiaf SEOUL 2026 returns to COEX from September 2–6, 2026, bringing together 175 galleries from 18 countries and territories. Kiaf Seoul

The Coconut Knows: Martha Atienza at Silverlens

The land has been keeping score all along—and it washes the tally onshore. Bea Belen-Ferrer

Massimiliano Gioni Named Director of New Museum

The New York-based Italian curator will be the third director of the museum since its founding in 1977. Kalani Ko

Shahrnush Parsipur, 1946–2026

The renowned Iranian novelist and activist passed away in San Francisco, aged 80. SABRINA HAU

Ai Weiwei Selected for 2026 Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission

The new public sculpture will be unveiled at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in September. Emily Ng

ANGA Plans Protest to Meet US Ambassador in Venice

The pro-Palestinian alliance has called for a July 17 rally near Campo San Zaccaria. Joyce Lee