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Art market news
Exhibitions, institutions and people shaping the local art landscape.
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Global context ·
Christie’s October 2026 New York Auctions Achieve Over $33 Million in Sales
Christie’s completed two major auctions in New York in early October 2026, with the Post-War to Present sale totaling $28,861,568 and the Up Close sale reaching $4,910,720.Global context ·
Untitled Art, Houston Brings Together Local and International Galleries
The second edition of Untitled Art, Houston, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, gathered 98 galleries, highlighting Houston’s dynamic art scene and attracting notable international participants.Local ·
Christie’s Hong Kong 20th/21st Century Autumn Sales Reach HK$957 Million
Christie’s Hong Kong 20th/21st Century Autumn Auctions held on 29–30 September 2026 achieved a total of HK$956.5 million (US$121.9 million), surpassing low estimates by 116% and marking a 17% increase year-on-year.Local ·
Basquiat’s Ancient Scientist Tops Autumn Auction in Asia at HK$76.98M
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Ancient Scientist led the autumn auction season in Asia, selling for HK$76.98 million (US$9.8 million) at Christie’s Hong Kong, marking a highlight in the region’s art market.Global context ·
Seven Trends Driving the Global Art Market’s 2026 Recalibration
The global art market expanded by 4% in 2026, reaching an estimated USD 59.6 billion, with public auction sales leading growth amid shifting regional dynamics.Global context ·
Art Basel and UBS Launch Series Exploring Digital Art Evolution
On 30 September 2026, Art Basel and UBS released the first episode of a five-part film series examining how technology has shaped the art world from the 1960s to today.Global context ·
Turner’s £50m Painting Exhibited in Rome Ahead of Sotheby’s Auction
J.M.W. Turner’s painting 'Rome, from Mount Aventine' is on public display in Rome for three days before its anticipated £50 million auction at Sotheby’s London in December.Global context ·
Christie’s Hosts Four Major Auctions During Paris Art Week 2026
Christie’s held four auctions in Paris from October 22 to 23, 2026, featuring landmark collections with a total estimated value exceeding €100 million.Global context ·
Independent 20th Century Fair Highlights Abstract Art in New York
The Independent 20th Century art fair was held at Sotheby’s on Madison Avenue, presenting a selection of abstract paintings with varied compositions and color palettes.Local ·
Christie's Hong Kong to Host Two Chinese Paintings Auctions Featuring Rare Masterpieces
In late October 2026, Christie's Hong Kong will hold two auctions showcasing exceptional Chinese paintings from distinguished private collections, accompanied by a special exhibition and previews in Taipei.Global context ·
Swiss Painter Renée Levi Unveils New Façade Work at London’s Hayward Gallery
Renée Levi’s two-panel painting ‘September’ is displayed on the façade of London’s Hayward Gallery from September 23 to November 15, 2026.Local ·
14th Animation Support Program Launched by CCIDA in Hong Kong
On 23 September 2026, the launch ceremony for the 14th Animation Support Program, sponsored by the Creative Content Industry Development Authority (CCIDA), was held in Hong Kong.Global context ·
Berlin’s Young Gallery Heidi Moves to London, Debuts at Frieze Focus
Heidi, a gallery previously based in Berlin, has relocated to London and is marking its arrival with a solo presentation at Frieze London and a new exhibition.Local ·
‘By the People 2 – Creative Chinese Characters’ Exhibition Opens at Guangdong Museum of Art
The ‘By the People 2 – Creative Chinese Characters’ exhibition, jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Guangdong Museum of Art, opened on 23 September 2026 in Guangzhou.Global context ·
Art Basel Paris 2026 Returns to Grand Palais Under New Direction
Art Basel Paris will take place from October 23 to 25, 2026, at the Grand Palais, featuring 211 exhibitors from 41 countries in its fifth edition, now led by director Karim Crippa.Global context ·
MoMA Exhibition 'Taking Back Our Space' Explores Body Politics in Public Spaces
The Museum of Modern Art in New York opened a new exhibition examining how bodies and identities interact with public spaces through photography and feminist perspectives.Global context ·
Vancouver City Council Creates Cultural Land Trust to Support Artists Amid Affordability Crisis
In response to a growing affordability crisis affecting artists, Vancouver’s city council has unanimously approved the establishment of a cultural land trust aimed at securing long-term spaces for cultural use and artist housing.Global context ·
Independent 20th Century Expands at Breuer with Over 130 Artists
The Independent 20th Century art fair returns to the Breuer building in September 2026, featuring a 75% larger edition with around 57 exhibitors and more than 130 artists.Global context ·
Dutch Museum Exhibits All 88 Van Gogh Paintings Together for First Time in Over 20 Years
The Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands has brought together its entire collection of 88 Van Gogh paintings in a new exhibition, open until early 2027.Global context ·
New York Galleries Embrace Pop-Ups and Collaborations to Stay Agile
New York’s gallery scene is shifting towards flexible models, using pop-ups, shared spaces, and short leases to adapt to changing market conditions and control costs.Global context ·
Monet’s ‘Iris’ to Headline Schlumberger Collection Auction at Sotheby’s Paris
Sotheby’s Paris will auction 28 works from the Schlumberger collection on 22 October 2026, with Monet’s ‘Iris’ leading the sale at a record estimate.Global context ·
UNESCO and ICOM Reveal Global Survey on AI Use in Museums
A global survey by UNESCO and ICOM shows that while over half of museums use AI, many lack formal policies and training to manage its ethical and operational challenges.Global context ·
Musica Libera: Two New Events Join the 70th Venice International Contemporary Music Festival
The 70th Venice International Contemporary Music Festival, directed by Caterina Barbieri, will include two new Musica Libera performances at the Casa di reclusione femminile Venezia Giudecca on 18 and 24 October.Global context ·
2026 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts Winners Announced
Eight artists from across Canada have been named recipients of the 2026 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts, recognising outstanding contributions to the country’s contemporary art scene.Local ·
Christie’s Hong Kong Presents 'Through the Master's Eye' Exhibition Featuring David Hockney and Wu Guanzhong
Christie’s Hong Kong is hosting 'Through the Master's Eye: David Hockney & Wu Guanzhong,' an exhibition showcasing works by two prominent 20th-century artists, open to the public from 22 to 29 September 2026 at The Henderson.Global context ·
Biennale di Venezia Opens Calls for Two New Choreographies for 2027 Dance Festival
The Biennale di Venezia has launched national and international calls for two original choreographic works to premiere at the 2027 Biennale Danza, with submissions accepted until 20 October 2026.Global context ·
Swiss Museum’s Donation Grows as Unopened Portfolios Reveal Extra Works
A recent donation to the Musée des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland has expanded significantly after unopened portfolios from the donor revealed more artworks than initially expected.Global context ·
UK to Standardise Auction Data as Sector Unites Behind New Trade Body
The UK is set to introduce a standardised system for recording auction sales of art and antiques, coinciding with calls from the sector to establish a new trade body representing the visual arts.Local ·
Mainland Chinese Film Festival 2026 to Screen 12 Feature Films in Hong Kong
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Southern Film Culture Foundation will co-host the Mainland Chinese Film Festival 2026 from October 6 to November 15, featuring a selection of 12 feature films and related short films.Global context ·
Eight US Art Writers Awarded $50,000 Each in 2026 Rabkin Prize
The Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2026 Rabkin Prize, granting eight US-based art writers a $50,000 cash award each.Local ·
Applications Open for 20th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards
Applications for the 20th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards opened at 12:00 noon on 16 September 2026, welcoming individuals and organisations to participate.Local ·
Hong Kong Heritage Museum Opens Exhibition Honouring Leslie Cheung’s 70th Birthday
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum has launched the “Miss You Much · Leslie 70th Birthday · Exhibition” to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Leslie Cheung’s birth, showcasing his achievements in music and film.Global context ·
New Museum Acquisitions Spotlight a French Gothic Revival Mask and Tudor Portrait of Elizabeth I
The Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Art Gallery of South Australia have recently expanded their collections with notable acquisitions: an enamelled stoneware mask by Jean Carriès and a 16th-century portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, marking the first Tudor portrait in an Australian public collection.Global context ·
Art Central Hong Kong Publishes Central Stage 2026 Programme Page
Art Central Hong Kong has published the programme page for Central Stage 2026, ahead of the fair scheduled for March 2027 at Central Harbourfront.Global context ·
Christie’s Hong Kong Preview Set for September 9–23, 2026
Christie’s has scheduled its Hong Kong preview for September 9 to 23, 2026, according to the auction house’s official calendar.Local ·
‘Summer Break’ Exhibition Opens at I.F. Gallery in Central
The Hong Kong Art Gallery Association presents the group exhibition ‘Summer Break’ at I.F. Gallery, running from 1 to 17 September 2026.Local ·
Curator-Led Tour on Hong Kong’s Children Textile Scheduled at CHAT
The CHAT Centre for Heritage Arts and Textile will host a curator-guided tour focusing on Hong Kong’s children textile heritage on 26 September 2026.Local ·
Hong Kong Arts Centre Launches Flagship Exhibition “Collaboration in Collision”
The Hong Kong Arts Centre opens its flagship exhibition “場域· 碰撞· 協作 / Collaboration in Collision” on 26 August 2026, showcasing contemporary artistic dialogues until 20 September 2026.Local ·
Limited Same-Day Tickets for Ancient Egypt Exhibition on 23 August at Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum announces special ticketing arrangements for the Ancient Egypt Unveiled exhibition on 23 August 2026.Local ·
Tranquil State: Eric Lai Wai Lam Solo Exhibition Opens in Central
The 3812 Gallery in Central launches a solo exhibition by Eric Lai Wai Lam, running from August 22 to October 10, 2026.Local ·
Hong Kong Arts Centre to Host Illustration and IP Branding Session
Hong Kong Arts Centre will host a sharing session and networking reception on international illustration and IP branding on August 15, 2026.Local ·
The Pleasure-Dome of Hills Exhibition Opens at Ora-Ora in Tai Kwun
Ora-Ora gallery in Tai Kwun, Central, Hong Kong, will host the exhibition The Pleasure-Dome of Hills: A Curated Hallucination of a Modern Literati from August 27 to October 3, 2026.Local ·