Whitney Biennial, Can You Hear Us?

Weekly Newsletter

Fascism is looming, yet a significant US art exhibition seems oblivious. Plus, insights on crafting protest signs, a tribute to Pat Steir, and more.

If you’re reading this while waiting for the glue on your DIY protest sign for today’s No Kings marches to dry, you’re in good company. This week, Steven Weinberg shares a brilliant comic with advice from artists and writers on creating standout signs. Don’t let your “I Prefer My ICE Crushed” banner collect dust—bring it to smaller local actions to maintain momentum.

There’s a pressing question about art and activism: “How does socially engaged art find its place in a world increasingly hostile to independent thought?” This question led Ed Woodham, a key figure in NYC’s experimental scene and the creator of Art in Odd Places, to delve into the troubling ways social justice frameworks are being co-opted by profit-driven entities. Below, explore Woodham’s workshop at the School of Visual Arts, where students learn to spot these predatory patterns and “navigate quietly through oversight systems.”

This year’s Whitney Biennial seems disconnected from protests and other acts of resistance, according to Hyperallergic‘s Editor-in-Chief Hakim Bishara. His review begins with a provocative question: “If you arrived from Mars and walked into the 2026 Whitney Biennial, could you tell that the country is on the edge of fascism?”

—Valentina Di Liscia, senior editor

The Whitney Biennial Is for the Faint-Hearted

This biennial feels like it’s shying away from engaging with today’s world rather than reflecting on it. | Hakim Bishara

Social Malpractice in the Age of Cultural Compliance

What occurs when the language of social practice is wielded by the systems it was meant to confront? | Ed Woodham

In Conversation: Will Wilson

In collaboration with Art Bridges, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey showcases Will Wilson’s works alongside historic photographs by Edward Sheriff Curtis. The exhibition is open until August 23.

Learn more

News

From Our Critics

Tracey Emin’s Cult of the Self

The YBA artist initiated the trend in contemporary art of blending deep self-examination with aggressive self-promotion. | Olivia McEwan

Frida-Mania Hits MoMA

A collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera’s costume designer, this exhibition represents an irresistible marketing opportunity at its peak. | Néstor David Pastor López

Beacons in a Grim World

Through simultaneous exhibitions by Kevin McNamee-Tweed and Tajh Rust, we encounter two artists who persist in exploring and discovering, even amidst adversity. | John Yau

Art Books

Joel Meyerowitz on Photographing Giorgio Morandi’s Studio

“He was assembling a force field of geometric objects,” observed Meyerowitz, whose book of images examining the painter’s notable still lifes is being reissued this spring. | Greta Rainbow

Before the “Global South,” Indian Modernists Dreamed of Solidarity

Historian Atreyee Gupta unpacks terms like “Global South” to trace the links between Indian painters and anticolonial figures such as Frantz Fanon. | Nageen Shaikh

Frank O’Hara’s Curatorial Eye

While best known for his poetry, O’Hara was a strong advocate for artists like Helen Frankenthaler and organized several exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art during the Cold War era. | Nathan Gelgud

More to Read

Why I Wanted to Meet Thaddeus Mosley

His work exemplifies what it means to be both an artist and an active community member. He set a standard for many. | John Yau

Is There an Ethical Path for AI Art?

There is an unsettling, dreamlike wonder in encountering something without knowing if it’s rooted in reality.

Art Movements: A Canceled Biennale Show Finds a New Home

Gabrielle Goliath’s performance series, removed from South Africa’s Venice pavilion, will continue to shine. Also, pro-wrestling meets contemporary art, new appointments for New York’s upcoming Hip Hop Museum, and more art world updates.

Remembering Calvin Tomkins, Rhoda Roberts, and Agosto Machado

This week, we pay tribute to an esteemed art writer, a defender of First Nations culture, a downtown NYC performance artist and activist, and others.

Required Reading

Discover what art conservators and novelists share, Toni Morrison’s impact on canonization, celebrating Eid in Gaza, Lindy West’s drama, “girl games,” and more internet highlights.

Comics

How to Make a No Kings Protest Sign

We consulted artists, writers, and curators for effective strategies in creating impactful protest signs. | Steven Weinberg