III Art Movements, released every Thursday afternoon, offers a comprehensive overview of key news, appointments, awards, and events shaping the current, bustling art scene.
Christie’s is gearing up for the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding in 2026 with a series of auctions as part of ‘Americana Week’ later this month. Did you know that Jimmy Carter dabbled in painting? Among the auction items are one of his paintings, Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington for James Madison, and Grant Wood’s original study for ‘American Gothic’ (1930), a fitting piece for this historical milestone.
In a unique New Year’s celebration at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump auctioned a live-painted image of Jesus Christ, crafted by Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena. Her 10-minute performance, accompanied by religious music, ended with the artwork selling for an impressive $2.75 million.
Guy Wildenstein has stepped down as president of Wildenstein & Co. after a 35-year tenure, following his 2024 conviction for a large-scale tax fraud in France. He maintains that his resignation is unrelated to his legal troubles, much like the Titanic’s fate and icebergs are supposedly unrelated.
Julie Jones is now the director of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. Amy Sillman has joined David Zwirner Gallery, leaving Gladstone Gallery, and Kevin Umaña is represented by The Pit gallery in Los Angeles.
Tristram Hunt, of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, received a knighthood from King Charles III. Other honorees included Ekow Eshun, Marcia Pointon, Janet Blake, and Jo Quinton-Tulloch, who were named Officers of the Order of the British Empire. Susan Bowers and Hilary McGrady also received prestigious awards. Additionally, Evelyn Patricia Terry and Della Wells were awarded the Mary L. Nohl Fund Fellowships for Established Artists, while Nomka Enkhee, Laura Farahzad Mayer, and Yinan Wang were recognized in the Emerging Artist category.
