Weekly Newsletter
Discover the New York artist running for Congress and advice for recent art school graduates.
Encountering a politician who genuinely comes across as sincere and authentic is as uncommon as witnessing a New York Knicks championship or a peace agreement between the US and Iran. Yet, I experienced this rarity when I met New York State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, an artist and union organizer campaigning for Congress. Valdez champions progressive causes such as Medicare for all, universal rent control, taxing the wealthy, dismantling ICE, and advocating for Palestinian freedom. She relocated to New York City in 2015 to pursue her artistic dreams, enduring various jobs at Taco Bell, Trader Joe’s, and Pizza Hut to make ends meet. A victory for her in the Democratic primary on June 23 would be historic, similar to her prominent supporter, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. I met Valdez at a quaint gallery in Ridgewood, Queens, where we discussed her congressional aspirations and her past experiences as an artist and art worker. I hope you find the interview insightful.
This week, another essential read is artist Julie Mehretu’s commencement address at the Rhode Island School of Design. One memorable line states, “Beauty and poetics carry weight. They are how human beings have always processed what is unbearable, imagined what is not yet possible, and kept alive the sense that something else could exist.” Indeed, a moving sentiment.Â
Don’t miss Aruna D’Souza’s critique of Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince’s joint exhibition in Venice. A heads-up: the exhibition is intensely focused on Black and White themes.Â
Additionally, happy Father’s Day to all the dads celebrating tomorrow. In honor of the day, we’ve compiled artworks about fathers by artists such as Melissa Joseph, Arleene Correa Valencia, Ruby Neri, Mykolas Valantinas, and others. Celebrate the greatness of fatherhood. Have an enjoyable read and a wonderful weekend.Â
—Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief
Processing the Unbearable, Imagining the Radical
In her commencement speech to RISD’s Class of 2026, artist Julie Mehretu spoke about the role of art in confronting ecological crises, political violence, and institutional failures.
She urged graduates to view their creations as radical inventions, using a metaphor of a mushroom to inspire “fruiting in the wreckage rather than mourning what was lost.”
Mehretu emphasized the importance of tapping into the “radical imaginatory,” viewing the studio as a space for epistemological exploration, remaining in discomfort, and challenging graduates with the question: how can we not only survive but also thrive in the ruins we have created?
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News
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From Our Critics
Interviews
Claire Valdez Wants to Be Your Artist in Congress
With a Democratic Socialist Muslim mayor and its first NBA title in over five decades, New York could soon see another major milestone: electing a congresswoman who began her journey as an artist and art worker.
New York State Assembly Member Claire Valdez, deeply rooted in union organization, is campaigning for the 7th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives. Her platform includes abolishing ICE, taxing the wealthy, universal healthcare, strengthening unions, universal rent control, and supporting a free Palestine. Our conversation covered Valdez’s artistic background, her political journey, and her congressional aspirations. | Hakim Bishara
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Features
10 Contemporary Artists Reckoning With Fatherhood
While many are familiar with Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Son” or Frida Kahlo’s family depictions, what about modern portrayals of fatherhood? This theme remains rich with potential, as numerous contemporary artists explore, challenge, and celebrate it in unique ways.
In celebration of Father’s Day, Hyperallergic has highlighted ten artists whose works delve into various aspects of fatherhood: from immigrant and absent dads to fellow artist fathers, adopted figures, and futuristic visions of what fatherhood could become.
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Guides
10 Art Shows to See in DC This Summer
As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, exhibitions are showcasing artists’ interpretations of the American flag, Joan Miró’s printmaking, critique through collage, Black design, Pueblo pottery, and more. | Emma Cieslik
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- In Memoriam: This week, we pay tribute to a painter who elevated the everyday to an otherworldly level, a poet-photographer, and a champion of Black artists.
- View from the Easel: Daniel Correa MejĂa enriches his shared studio with seeds, family photographs, and music that induces a painting trance.
- Art Problems: Being constantly asked for what you can’t deliver makes it difficult to discern true friends. Paddy Johnson offers advice.
Memorable Moment
Adorable Duck Family Steals Hearts at Frick Museum
The Frick Collection presents “Ducklings in 11” as its charming response to “Knicks in 5.” A mother duck and her 11 delightful ducklings have captivated visitors at the Upper East Side museum, gliding around the reflective pool in the institution’s 70th Street garden last weekend.
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