40th anniversary of the Saatchi Gallery
May
Saatchi Gallery, London
saatchigallery.com
The advertising magnate Charles Saatchi chose a disused paint factory in north London as the first home for his burgeoning contemporary art collection, which opened to the public in 1985. The collector became a prominent tastemaker in the 1990s, credited with launching the careers of Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Rachel Whiteread and others with the “Young British Artists” exhibition series. The gallery moved in 2008 to the Duke of York’s Headquarters building in Chelsea, and this year looks back at pivotal works and exhibitions from its 40-year history.
Opening of Goodwood Art Foundation
May
Goodwood, West Sussex
goodwoodartfoundation.org
The Goodwood Estate, a historic home in the English county of Sussex, is synonymous with both horse and motor racing, with a year-round calendar of eclectic events. Now the estate— home to an impressive art collection amassed over three centuries by the Dukes of Richmond, including works by Canaletto, George Stubbs and Anthony van Dyck—is launching the Goodwood Art Foundation. Semi-permanent displays of sculptures will be staged throughout the newly landscaped grounds and an annual exhibition will run from spring to autumn inside the new Pavilion Gallery. Led by the independent curator Ann Gallagher, who was formerly the director of the British art collection at the Tate, the foundation’s season opens with an inaugural exhibition dedicated to British artist Rachel Whiteread’s photographic works.
"The longtime vision of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, the opening of the Goodwood Art Foundation represents the arrival of a new international destination for contemporary art within one of the most historic estates in the U.K. The choice of Turner Prize-winner Rachel Whiteread—an artist whose practice explores themes of history and legacy—for its inaugural exhibition brilliantly reflects the foundation’s core pillars of art, environment and education. I look forward to seeing Whiteread’s lesser-known photographic work presented in the Pavilion Gallery and her spectacular sculptures spilling out into a sequence of rich, biodiverse environments created by landscape architect Dan Pearson." –Oliver Barker
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style
May 10-October 26
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
metmuseum.org
The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines the sartorial legacy of the Black dandy in its spring exhibition, which sets the theme for the 2025 Met Gala. The show is guest-curated by the scholar Monica L. Miller, based on her research for the 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” Historical and contemporary garments and accessories come together with art, photographs and films to explore the subject from the 18th century to the present.
"The theme of this year’s Met Gala is rich with possibilities and long overdue for the spotlight. “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will no doubt feature jewelry as adornment, fashion accessory, status symbol and cultural emblem in the context of centuries of Black dandyism. With the concept of a cohesive total look an intrinsic part of dandyism, expect to see carefully chosen jewelry that complements rather than overpowers. It is no surprise to see Colman Domingo as co-chair of the Gala. He epitomizes the true modern dandy and always wears jewelry creatively and beautifully." –Frank Everett
Venice Architecture Biennale
May 10-November 23
Venice
labiennale.org
The 19th edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale presents design proposals employing natural, artificial and collective intelligence to combat the climate crisis. The concept “Intelligens” has been chosen by the curator Carlo Ratti to emphasize an inclusive understanding of intelligence in the future. The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to atmospheric emissions, and the biennale looks to assemble “a global kit for adapting to the future.” Many of the architectural projects are collaborative and the national pavilions are responding to the same idea: “One place, one solution.”
Frieze New York
May 7-11
The Shed, New York
frieze.com
Frieze New York returns to state- of-the-art cultural venue The Shed for the fifth time. A select group of around 65 contemporary art galleries will present solo, group and themed booths by both up-and-coming talents and some of art’s most important figures.
TEFAF New York
May 9-13
Park Avenue Armory, New York
tefaf.com
TEFAF New York, the American outpost of the historic Dutch fair, presents the crème de la crème of modern and contemporary art and design, jewelry and antiquities. Featuring around 90 leading exhibitors from around the world, the fair also presents a series of talks and Meet the Experts discussions with dealers and artists in front of specific featured works.
Banner: Ceiling brooms, Mount Lebanon, NY, U.S., from “The Shakers: A World in the Making.” Shaker Museum, Chatham, New York.
