Photographer and social historian Terry Dennett dies Also known as an activist, theorist, workshop organiser, publisher and archivist, during the 1970s Dennett established a number of collective projects including Camerawork Journal and, alongside his long-time collaborator the photographer and writer Jo Spence, Photography Workshop.
He continued to collaborate with Spence, becoming the archivist of her work after her death in 1992. Dennett created the Jo Spence Memorial Archive in his flat on Upper Street in Islington.
Much of his own work focused on dilapidation and deprivation in the urban environment. He was also concerned with the technological history of photographic production and reproduction, teaching children not only how to shoot, develop and print their images but also to make their own cameras.
$6.7m (£4.8m) awarded in lawsuit to graffiti artists whose work was torn down to make way for luxury apartments Owner of the site known as 5Pointz, located in Long Island City, Queens, New York, unexpectedly whitewashed the building in 2013, before tearing it down a year later. During the 1990s it had become a mecca for graffiti artists, and there were previous arrangements for artists to legally make work on the building, with some even living in it for a period.
Following a three week trial, federal judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn said that had the owner of 5Pointz awaited the required permits and demolished the building 10 months later than he did, the damages would not have been so high.
British Art Fair to move to Saatchi Gallery as part of major investment by new owners The fair, which specialises in Modern and Post-War British art and was formerly known as the 20/21 British Art Fair, has been acquired by property developer Johnny Sandelson and his brother Robert.
The family have a long association with the visual arts. Their father Victor was both a collector and arts journalist, whilst their mother Bernice ran Montpelier Studio and exhibited at the first British Art Fair in 1988.
Nigel Hurst, gallery director and chief executive of the Saatchi Gallery, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the British Art Fair and helping them provide the high-profile platform British artists and their galleries deserve at the Saatchi Gallery this September.”
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Barack and Michelle Obama’s official portraits unveiled at Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC Former US president Barack Obama’s portrait has been produced by New York-based artist Kehinde Wiley, whilst Baltimore-based Amy Sherald made the painting of Michelle Obama.
Reacting to the unveiling, Barack Obama joked that he had tried to “negotiate less grey hair, but Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow it.”
Shân Edwards appointed CEO of Edinburgh Printmakers Edwards has previously held senior roles in the arts and culture sectors in London, Scotland, Wales and most recently the north of England as artistic director/chief executive of the Art House in Wakefield.
Edwards joins Edinburgh Printmakers as the organisation is in the final stages of fundraising to transform a local heritage building, Castle Mill Works, into a new arts centre. It will include printmaking studio for artists and the public, admission-free exhibitions within two new galleries, and a new learning studio to deliver a diverse education programme.
Commenting on her appointment, Edwards said: “As a leading organisation with a reputation for ambitious programming and innovation, the relocation to Castle Mill Works presents exceptional new opportunities for learning, production and presentation. I look forward to building on the organisation’s considerable achievements to date, developing programme, partnerships and research, working with artists and supporting contemporary printmaking practice.”
Germany to set up help desk for victims of abuse in the arts German culture minister Monika Grütters has pledged to fund a help desk for those effected by sexual abuse and harassment in the country’s creative industries.
As the Art Newspaper reports, Grütters said: “Those affected need a protected space where they can speak openly and seek advice anonymously, without needing to worry about negative consequences. An initiative like this shouldn’t fail because of a lack of funds.”
The minister has already held initial talks with representatives of the film, dance, theatre and music industries.
President Donald Trump’s 2019 budget reiterates proposals to defund the National Endowments for the Arts and National Endowments for Humanities In March 2017 Trump first announced plans to cut funding for the NEA and the NEH. However, both agencies survived after a bill was passed by the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee last July. Nevertheless, it reduced the amount each agency would receive by $5m (£3.5m).
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