Venice, Here We Come

Weekly Newsletter

A guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale, Joan Semmel still killing it at 93, Hungary’s post-Orbán art world, and much more.

The 61st Venice Biennale is fast approaching, promising a dynamic and intense edition. This may be attributed more to the tumultuous global context than the art itself. Will the national pavilions’ art be upstaged by protests? Can the main exhibition In Minor Keys, envisioned by the late Koyo Kouoh, meet the moment’s demands? The answers remain to be seen.

Stay tuned as I bring you updates from the biennale alongside our editor-at-large, Hrag Vartanian, and other colleagues. Enjoy Hrag’s vibrant summary of the key exhibitions and happenings in Venice throughout May and beyond. Additionally, mark your calendars for his online discussion with artist Jeremy Frey on April 29, from 3 to 4 pm ET, exclusively for Hyperallergic members. If you’re not yet a member but can spare a few dollars a month, please consider joining to support our independent art journalism.

Delve into other highlights in this issue, including a visit to Joan Semmel’s studio, who remains a force in art at age 93; Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury discussing her “revenge art” amidst the chaos of Beirut; Ed Simon reflecting on Hans Holbein, and much more. We appreciate your readership and wish you a wonderful weekend.

—Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief

Hyperallergic’s Guide to the 2026 Venice Biennale

Discover the must-see national pavilions, collateral exhibitions, and key events at this year’s edition. | Hrag Vartanian

Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments

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The exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art delves into the Rocky statue’s impact on the city’s culture, community, and public art, showcasing works from antiquity to today.

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News

From Our Critics

A Blockbuster Take on Ovid’s “Metamorphosis”

The Rijksmuseum exhibition tackles themes of gender, sexuality, and transformation, but faces challenges in addressing them. | Zoe Guy

Hans Holbein Painted the Human

Hans Holbein’s work excels in capturing the depth, intimacy, and empathy of his subjects, surpassing his contemporaries. | Ed Simon

Jule Korneffel Finds Meaning at the End of Light

Jule Korneffel’s paintings weave together elements of Roman mythology, Italian Renaissance art, and color theory, capturing the essence of moments just before they fade.| John Yau

Tale of a Riderless Horse

George Stubbs’s depictions of horses breathe life into the canvas. | Michael Glover

Leonardo Madriz’s Monuments to the Precarity of Now

Leonardo Madriz’s sculptures poignantly illustrate the delicate balance of contemporary American life. | Jonah Goldman Kay

Jeremy Frey: The Generational Impact of a New Artistic Path

Join us on Wednesday, April 29, for an insightful conversation with artist and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Jeremy Frey and Hyperallergic Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian.

Learn more

Interview

Joan Semmel Is Doing Her Best Work at 93

“You say, ‘Fuck you. I’m good and you’re wrong,’” Joan Semmel declared to Hyperallergic. “This is who I am, this is what I do, and this is what I care about.”| Aaron Short

Tania El Khoury’s Soothing “Revenge Art”

Lebanese artist and Bard College professor Tania El Khoury discusses her recent projects and the challenges of living under bombardment in Beirut with Hyperallergic. | Hadley Suter

Opinion

The Future of Museums Is a Dance Floor

Raves create a temporary sanctuary where belonging is felt rather than declared. | Naz Cuguoğlu

Dismantling Orbán’s 16-Year Grip on Hungary’s Art World

As a Hungarian curator based in the United States, I see my homeland as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for artistic freedom. | Veronika Molnar

Required Reading

This edition explores a museum as a space for motherhood, the diverse ways writers earn a living, Nara Smith’s potential as a performance artist, and more.

A View From the Easel With Celia Paul

“The main thing I love about my studio is that it is mine. No one can enter without permission.”

Art Movements: Meet the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s New Director

Plus: Turner Prize shortlist announced, Print Center New York’s 2026 New Voices cohort, and a surprising acquisition backstory.

In Memorium: Remembering Desmond Morris, James Hayward, and Flo Oy Wong

This week, we commemorate a surrealist and zoologist, a monochrome abstractionist, and a cornerstone of Oakland’s Chinatown.