British Artist Tracey Emin Dazzles 10 Downing Street with “More Passion” Neon Light

LONDON (AP).- A new message is greeting visitors to the home of Britain’s prime minister: “More Passion.” The words, rendered in dazzling neon, are a work by artist Tracey Emin that that is now hanging in 10 Downing St. Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said Sunday that the work was installed earlier this week in a busy hallway, above the door to Downing St.’s Terracotta Room. It stands in contrast to the oil paintings and portraits of former prime ministers elsewhere [...]

Calvin J. Goodman, Influential Mentor to Artists and Advisor to Arts Organizations, Died

NEW YORK, NY.- Calvin J. Goodman, influential mentor to artists and advisor to arts organizations, died in Los Angeles on August 17th, 2011 of natural causes. For over five decades Goodman worked with such renowned artists as Louise Nevelson, Hans Burckhart, Harry Jackson, and Françoise Gilot, and countless other artists. Known for his insight into the thoughts that motivate an artist, Goodman had an uncanny ability to help creative spirits discover and connect with the audience their work would speak to. [...]

Toledo Museum of Art Announces Three Appointments in Education Department

TOLEDO, OH.- Three Toledo area women have been named to positions in the recently reorganized education department at the Toledo Museum of Art, Director Brian Kennedy has announced. Following a national search, Dr. Katherina Danko-McGhee joins the staff as director of education, and Dr. Leanne Gilbertson becomes curator of education, both effective Aug. 29. In addition, staff member Lori Foshag, who served as interim director of education for nearly a year, has been named manager of community programs. Danko-McGhee comes to the [...]

Global Auction House Christie’s Growth in Asia Continues with New Senior Appointment

HONG KONG.- Leading global auction house Christie’s announces three new senior appointments including: Lilly Chan, International Business Director of Asian Art, Ci Sun, Regional Business Development Director and Pauline Tien, Business Development Director, Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS). As Asia remains a key driver for Christie’s and the global art business, these appointments will build on the company’s established presence in the region, and expand its capabilities in client servicing and business development. François Curiel, President of Asia, said, “As part of [...]

Oscar Winner Whoopi Goldberg to Offer Selections from Her Personal Collection at Heritage Auctions

DALLAS, TX.- Selections from the Personal Collection of Whoopi Goldberg, acclaimed Oscar-winning actress and comedian, will highlight Heritage Auctions‘ Sept. 27 Estate Auction, at the company’s Design District annex at 1518 Slocum Street. This will include more than 70 pieces from Whoopi’s cherished collection of pottery, porcelain, art deco and a variety of whimsical pieces she has gathered over the years. “I think of this as the evolution of interests,” said Ms. Goldberg. “It’s time to clear space for the next chapter [...]

Jeff Bezos Donates $10 Million to Create “Center for Innovation” at New Museum in Seattle

SEATTLE, WA.- The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) today announced that it has received a generous gift of $10 million from Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive officer of Seattle-based Amazon.com. The grant will be used to establish the “Center for Innovation” at the new MOHAI opening in late fall of 2012 in the historic Naval Reserve Building (Armory) at Lake Union Park, a few blocks from the new Amazon.com campus in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Bezos’ contribution to MOHAI [...]

Sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld Awarded an Honorary OBE

LONDON.- Internationally acclaimed sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld has been presented an honorary OBE for her outstanding contribution to art. She was presented her OBE by Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport at a private ceremony. Blumenfeld is one of the few non-British artists ever to have been honoured in this way. Honorary OBE’s are awarded to non-British subjects, and over the decades, only a relatively small number have been presented. Luminaries such as Pierce [...]

British Realist Painter Lucian Freud, Famed for His Nudes, has Died Aged 88

LONDON (AP).- Lucian Freud, a towering and uncompromising figure in the art world for more than 50 years, has died, his New York-based art dealer said Thursday. He was 88. Spokeswoman Bettina Prentice said that Freud died after an illness at his London home late Wednesday night, but didn’t give any further details. Freud was known for his intense realist portraits, particularly of nudes. In recent years his paintings commanded staggering prices at auction, including one of an overweight nude woman [...]

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Announces New Deputy Director for Advancement

RICHMOND, VA.- The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced today the appointment of Linda Lipscomb as the new deputy director for advancement beginning September 1, 2011. As the leader of the museum’s development team, Lipscomb will work toward raising unrestricted money, which supports museum operations, exhibitions and education funding, as well as endowments and special projects. VMFA Development also oversees the John Barton Payne and Heritage societies, which support art donors and planned giving, respectively. “The Virginia Museum is currently experiencing unprecedented [...]

Director of Tate Liverpool, Dr. Christoph Grunenberg, Concludes Ten Successful Years

LIVERPOOL.- It is announced today that Christoph Grunenberg, Director of Tate Liverpool, has been appointed Director of the Kunsthalle Bremen in Germany. Christoph leaves Tate after a decade as Director of Tate Liverpool. He has made a critical contribution to the cultural regeneration of Liverpool and the city’s extraordinarily successful year as European Capital Culture of Culture in 2008 in which Tate Liverpool attracted over one million visitors. The new director of the Kunsthalle Bremen, Dr. Christoph Grunenberg. Photo: Harald Rehling. In that remarkable [...]

Czech Abstract Painter Zdenek Sykora, Known for Computer Geometrical Paintings, Dies

PRAGUE (AP).- Czech painter Zdenek Sykora, who was one of the first to use computers for his geometrical paintings, has died aged 91. Sykora’s aide Veronika Hudeckova says he died at his home in the town of Louny on Tuesday evening. In this Jan. 25, 2006 file picture Czech painter Zdenek Sykora is photographed in his studio in Louny, about 70 km nortwest from Prague, Czech Republic. Sykora died on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 aged 91 years. AP Photo,CTK/Libor Zavoral. Born [...]

Berlin’s University of Arts Says Recently Freed Artist Ai Weiwei Accepts Job Offer

BERLIN (AP).- A German university says recently released Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has accepted an offer to join the Berlin institution as a visiting lecturer. Berlin’s University of Arts said Wednesday it was unclear when Ai will be able to start in his new position due to his legal troubles in China. A file picture shows Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in front of his artwork, entitled Template, at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, Germany. EPA/TOBIAS HASE. University president Martin Rennert [...]

George T. M. Shackelford Appointed Senior Deputy Director of the Kimbell Art Museum

FORT WORTH, TX.- The Kimbell Art Museum announced today that George T. M. Shackelford will join the staff as senior deputy director in early 2012. “I’m thrilled to welcome George to the Kimbell,” commented Eric M. Lee, the Museum’s director. “He is one of the most brilliant and talented curators in the field today. As the Kimbell expands with its Renzo Piano building project, George will play a crucial role in shaping the Museum’s future.” In response to accepting the position, Shackelford remarked, [...]

Independent Curator Fabrice Stroun Appointed as New Director of Kunsthalle Bern

BERNE, SWITZERLAND.- The board of Kunsthalle Bern announces the appointment of Fabrice Stroun (born 1969) effective from January 1st 2012. Over the last 15 years Fabrice Stroun has been working as an independent curator based in Geneva. Welcoming his appointment, Wolf von Weiler, President of the Board of Kunsthalle Bern, said: “I am delighted to announce Fabrice Stroun as the new Director of Kunsthalle Bern. The appointment reflects the board’s commitment to further strengthening the reputation of Kunsthalle Bern as one of Switzerland’s [...]

After Serving as Acting Director, Eric C. Shiner Named Director of the Andy Warhol Museum

PITTSBURGH, PA.- Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh today announced that Eric C. Shiner has been named director of The Andy Warhol Museum. Shiner joined the museum in 2008 as the Milton Fine Curator of Art, and he has served as acting director since January 2011. A curator, professor, writer, and translator, Shiner was an adjunct professor at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and in 2007 he curated “Making a Home: Japanese Contemporary Artists in New York” at Japan [...]