Author: Maren Whitlock

A Canadian curator and sad dad is working for a Quebecois collector in Nina Roza, a film that premiered this week at Berlinale. His rich boss is doomscrolling and stops on a viral video that shows a child prodigy finger painting in a Bulgarian barn. Her abstractions, she explains to the camera, depict the cosmos; anyone who sees them as mere paint, she says, is “dumb.” The wealthy collector shares the video with his personal curator, giddy with glee and declaring that he wants to buy one of her paintings. Our depressed curator is instantly dismissive, quipping that you simply cannot trust Bulgarians. They…

Explore Keiichi Tanaami’s career in “Adventures in Memory,” a retrospective at The National Art Center, Tokyo, highlighting his contributions to Pop Art and cultural collaborations. The National Art Center, Tokyo, presents a landmark exhibition, Keiichi Tanaami: Adventures in Memory, the first major retrospective dedicated to the late artist who passed away last week at the age of 88. The exhibition, running from August 7 to November 11, 2024, celebrates the extraordinary career of one of Japan’s most iconic and innovative artists. Known for his contributions to Pop Art, design, and animation, Keiichi Tanaami (1936-2024) leaves behind a legacy deeply intertwined with Japan’s…

Jacky Chewkor is a visual artist whose practice explores the meeting point between Impressionism and Fauvism, combining expressive color, energetic brushwork, and a deep interest in the emotional possibilities of painting. His artistic journey was not initially defined by a traditional path toward fine art. Before becoming a painter, he worked as a graphic designer, reporter, and part-time administrator. His encounter with an oil paint tube, however, became a significant turning point, opening the door to a new artistic direction. From that moment, Chewkor began to immerse himself in the history of painting, studying the techniques and approaches of the…

Timor Leste artist Maria Madeira’s site specific installation at the Venice Biennale explores themes of displacement, trauma, and resilience through local materials and performative elements. Maria Madeira, a prominent contemporary artist from Timor-Leste, will represent her country at the upcoming 60th International Venice Biennale, taking place from April 20 to November 24, 2024. Madeira’s participation marks Timor Leste’s inaugural pavilion at the prestigious art exhibition and coincides with the 25th anniversary of the country’s independence. The Timor Leste Pavilion is commissioned by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture and curated by Professor Natalie King OAM. Madeira’s site specific installation,…