The Royal Academy of Arts in London is currently hosting the largest European retrospective of American artist Kerry James Marshall's work, titled "Kerry James Marshall: The Histories," which has received universal critical acclaim from art critics worldwide. The comprehensive exhibition showcases Marshall's significant contributions to contemporary art and offers European audiences their most extensive look at the influential artist's career to date.
Ben Luke, host of The Art Newspaper's podcast, provides listeners with an in-depth tour of the Marshall exhibition alongside Mark Godfrey, the show's curator. The podcast episode also features a visit to a related exhibition at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London, where Marshall's graphic novel project "Rythm Mastr" is on display. Nikita Sena Quarshie, co-curator of "Rythm Mastr: The Chronicles," guides the discussion of this complementary show that explores Marshall's work in the graphic novel medium.
In a major development for London's art scene, the National Gallery announced plans for a significant expansion project last week. The ambitious initiative, known as Project Domani, will cost approximately $400 million, with $375 million already secured through fundraising efforts. Gallery officials describe this expansion as the most substantial transformation since the institution's founding 200 years ago. The project represents a historic shift in the gallery's collecting policy, as it will extend its acquisition boundary beyond 1900 for the first time, marking a major change in how UK national collections are divided.
Alexander Morrison, digital editor of The Art Newspaper, interviews National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi about the expansion plans and their implications for the museum's future. The conversation explores how this development will reshape one of London's most prestigious cultural institutions and its role in preserving and displaying art for future generations.
The podcast episode's "Work of the Week" segment focuses on Pablo Picasso's masterpiece "The Three Dancers," created in 1925. This painting, considered one of the greatest works among the thousands created by the Spanish master, serves as the centerpiece of Tate Modern's new exhibition "Theatre Picasso." The show celebrates the painting's centenary and explores Picasso's relationship with theatrical elements in his art.
Natalia Sidlina, co-curator of the Picasso exhibition, discusses the significance of "The Three Dancers" and its place within Picasso's broader artistic development. The podcast also features Enrique Fuenteblanca, who collaborated with artist Wu Tsang to design the exhibition's radical and innovative staging, creating an immersive experience that enhances visitors' understanding of Picasso's theatrical vision.
The Kerry James Marshall retrospective runs at the Royal Academy of Arts through January 18, 2026, before traveling to Kunsthaus Zürich from February 27 to August 16, 2026, and concluding at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris from September 18, 2026, to January 24, 2027. Meanwhile, "Rythm Mastr: The Chronicles" continues at The Tabernacle until December 14, and "Theatre Picasso" remains on view at Tate Modern until April 12, 2026, giving art enthusiasts multiple opportunities to experience these groundbreaking exhibitions.
