Every Thursday afternoon, Art Movements compiles a must-read summary of the latest news, appointments, awards, and significant events in the ever-evolving art scene.
Alma Allen is set to join the acclaimed Perrotin Gallery. This global French gallery, known for its influential presence, has added the Utah-born, Mexico-based sculptor to its collection. Allen made headlines when he accepted the controversial invitation to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale during the Trump administration. Following this, his former galleries, Mendes Wood and Olney Gleason, reportedly ended their affiliations with him. Allen’s art, criticized for being apolitical, sparked debate last year when he deflected criticism by highlighting his “working-class” and “self-taught” background.
In Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Museum awarded Keisha Scarville the 2026 UOVO Prize, recognizing emerging artists from the borough. This accolade includes a $25,000 grant and two significant commissions: one at UOVO’s Bushwick location and another at the museum’s Iris Cantor Plaza, with an exhibition launching on May 8 titled “Where Salt Meets Black Water.”
Other notable appointments include Andrew Eschelbacher as the new deputy director and head of Art and Exhibitions at the Portland Museum of Art, and Laura Phipps as director of the Gochman Family Collection. Additionally, Arturo Agüero joins El Museo del Barrio as director of Education and Public Programs, Martina Tanga assumes the role of director of Exhibitions and Curatorial Initiatives at the American Federation of Arts, and Anne E. Stoner was honored with the 2026 Panczenko MFA Prize by the Chazen Museum of Art. Jessica Silverman and Lehmann Maupin galleries now jointly represent artist Guimi You.
Marina Abramović is venturing into new territory with her upcoming installation at the Balloon Museum in New York City, described as her “first foray into inflatable materials.” The project will feature an immersive space filled with inflatable grass blades, adding a whimsical touch to Abramović’s typically intense portfolio. Reflecting on the work, Abramović remarked: “The balloon is, fundamentally, a childhood object. But beyond its innocence, the balloon carries a deeper philosophical charge.” The installation opens in July, promising to be a unique addition to her oeuvre.
