Sayed Haider Raza (1922-2016)

Sayed Haider Raza, who died in 2016, is considered India’s first modern painter. Auctions confirm that he still enjoys a great reputation.

A couple of restaurateurs passionate about modern art assembled, in Paris and Cannes, a collection of demanding pieces, whose dispersal yielded some excellent surprises.

In 1976, Joaquim Vital, a Portuguese poet living in exile in France, founded the Éditions de la Différence. The publishing company was sponsored by Patrick Waldberg (an American art historian "of French culture" who specialised in Surrealism), and was...

At a recent talk at Hay Festival Segovia, the annual literature and arts festival in Segovia, Spain, the Chinese artist commented that ‘the very essential human ability to question or doubt existing values…is disappearing in Western worlds.’ He continued: ‘not to hear the other argument… reminds me of China.’ (Artnews)

Five alleged crypto scammers were indicted yesterday in Paris; they have been charged with stealing and reselling blue chip NFTs totaling $2.5 million from at least five victims. The scammers, who are between the ages of 18 and 24, lured collectors with the promise of animating their Bored Apes. (Artnet)

Hong Kong is set to open its M+ museum, touted as Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, on November 12. However, fears over China’s increased political censorship have cast doubts over the launch. The dissident artist believes Hong Kong’s artistic community can still rise to the challenge. (HKFP)

Black Obsidian Sound System, a queer, trans, non-binary Black art, sound and activism collective, issued a statement: “The urgency with which we have been asked to participate, perform and deliver demonstrates the extractive and exploitative practices in prize culture, and more widely across the industry.” (Facebook)

Thousands-of-year-old rock art is at risk of being destroyed due to the increased effects of global warming: coastal erosion, fires, floods and cyclones are damaging these artworks, while temperamental weather patterns are causing rocks and crystals to expand and contract, which creates cracks. (Guardian)

A UNESCO advisory body has advised the British Museum to review its hard stance on the return of the Parthenon Marbles. The Greek cultural minister, Lina Mendoni, has said she believes the matter should be sorted through intergovernmental avenues, rather than as a private matter for the British Museum.

Earlier this week, Picasso’s granddaughter Marina and great-grandson Florian announced they were going to release of series of 1,010 NFTs of a ceramic work by Picasso himself. However, other members of the Picasso family, namely Picasso’s son Claude Ruiz, have halted the project, saying the sale was not happening. (AP)