The most enriching art sometimes comes from exhibitions steeped in rich creative histories, like the Louvre’s showcase of works by the Renaissance genius Cimabue and Fra Angelico’s vibrant frescos in Florence. At other times, it is the artists who continue to resist oppression, such as Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova, whose performance ‘Police State’ in Los Angeles highlighted the intense presence of ICE. We also see the impactful work of the Chemehuevi artist Cara Romero, who captures Indigenous women through her lens, or the esteemed Ruth Asawa, for whom art, education, and life were seamless.
Among the artists celebrated by Hyperallergic’s editors are those who infuse humor and boldness into their work, like the daring Lebanese painter Huguette Caland and the iconoclastic H. C. Westermann. Group exhibitions also stood out, covering themes like Indigenous futurism and the influence of Asian artists in interwar Paris, with some reflecting on the resilience of artists after the Los Angeles wildfires in January.
Highlighted exhibitions for 2025 span across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Noteworthy mentions include Tishan Hsu’s ‘Interface Remix’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto, Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ ‘Always to Return’ at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, and ‘Pictures of Belonging’ at the Smithsonian American Art Museum showcasing the poignant narratives of Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo.
Vincent Valdez’s ‘Just a Dream…’ at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and MASS MoCA, and Nan Goldin’s ‘This Will Not End Well’ at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, are among other significant exhibitions. Each of these exhibitions offers a profound insight into the artists’ exploration of their themes and the contemporary narratives they engage with.
The Art Institute of Chicago’s ‘Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica’ and the Louvre Museum’s ‘A New Look at Cimabue’ are among the top exhibitions not to be missed. These exhibitions promise to offer deep cultural reflections and artistic expressions that resonate with audiences worldwide.
