Members Interview

In this interview, Sokhna Mariama talks about migration, nature, and working across different mediums. She shares how her life between Dakar and Italy shaped her way of seeing, how ideas guide her process, and how her projects invite people to take part rather than only observe.

You know that moment at the end of a long year when you realize certain conversations just quietly faded away? In the art world, this past year had a handful of discussions that were once unavoidable , until they weren’t. Some fell out of sight not because the issues resolved themselves, but because attention flipped to newer flashpoints, market headlines, or dazzling exhibitions. We talk a lot about what’s loud in art , the big sales, big names, big exhibitions , but there’s real value in noticing what stopped being talked…

The 2026 edition of Art Basel marks a visible shift in who leads and shapes the world’s most important contemporary art fair. In recent years, women leaders have taken central roles across the Art Basel ecosystem, guiding key editions of the fair and influencing how galleries, artists, and collectors intersect at global market moments. This shift isn’t anecdotal, it reflects deeper changes in the art world’s leadership and collector base, and is showing up clearly at multiple global fairs tied to Art Basel. Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the most…

This week we spoke with Jessica, an author and illustrator who works wherever she can find a little quiet. She talks with us about how she builds her stories, the coffee that follows her from one workspace to another, and the way natural light helps her settle into her ideas. Our conversation moves through her daily routine, the books she loves, and the small habits that guide her creative work.

Digital engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. By 2025, it’s become part of the way galleries function daily. Collectors no longer simply rely on seeing work in person; their first encounter can often be online. This means galleries have to think carefully about how every post, image, or event communicates the quality and personality of the work. It’s not about replacing exhibitions, it’s about complementing them. Galleries are building online spaces that feel curated, intentional, and connected to the physical experience. Collectors now expect seamless transitions between digital and in-person touchpoints,…

We are pleased to share that Birds, an international virtual exhibition hosted by Open Call for Artists, is now live. This exhibition brings together artists from across the world who were drawn to a subject that has quietly lived alongside humanity for centuries. Birds are present in our daily lives in subtle ways. We hear them before we see them. We notice them briefly, then they are gone. They exist close to us, yet never fully within reach. This exhibition begins from that familiarity and gently expands it. Through painting, photography,…

In 2024, as reported by Artsy, galleries worldwide are becoming increasingly selective, with nearly 60 percent of reviewed portfolios receiving only preliminary consideration before deeper evaluation. The scrutiny reflects not just the quality of work but how it aligns with the gallery’s ongoing narrative, institutional relationships, and collector expectations. Understanding what galleries are prioritizing offers insight into how artists’ practices intersect with broader market and curatorial logics. Portfolios no longer exist in isolation. They are read in the context of exhibitions, past sales, and institutional visibility. Galleries act as both tastemakers…

Pencil drawing asks for patience, focus, and a steady hand. In this feature, we look closely at five contemporary pencil artists who use graphite and coloured pencil to create work that rewards slow looking. From quiet portrait studies to carefully observed figures and animals, these artists show how much can be achieved with restraint, discipline, and long-term dedication to a single medium.

According to a 2025 industry report, 52% of creative firms now use AI tools as part of their core workflows, and 80% of creative industry leaders see AI augmenting human creativity rather than replacing it. That alone reveals how much creative practice is shifting right now. Trends don’t emerge randomly, they emerge when significant numbers of people across different cultures and disciplines begin making similar choices, whether that’s in color, composition, technology, or storytelling. Winter has historically been a fertile season for creative recalibration. Shorter days, a slowdown in commercial release…

“A new leaf” signals fresh beginnings, and for artists, January offers a chance to reset, reflect, and let curiosity lead the way. The month often feels quieter in the studio, a moment to pause before schedules fill and deadlines press in. Even in this calm, the art world continues to move, opening opportunities to encounter ideas, techniques, and perspectives that can expand thinking and influence how work develops in the months ahead. Exhibitions opening in this period highlight what is resonating culturally, showcasing approaches that can illuminate unexpected connections in an…