Two Growing London Galleries Launch Second Spaces-And More Art Industry News

(MENAFN- USA Art News) Art Fairs, Gallery Moves, and Museum Appointments Signal a Busy Turn in the Art World

A new round of leadership changes, gallery relocations, and institutional plans is reshaping the art calendar across New York, London, and beyond. Frieze will welcome Frank Lasry as chief operating officer in June, adding a veteran executive with experience at Art Basel, Perrotin, and Christie's to its top ranks.

In New York, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair will return for its 12th edition from May 13–17 at the Starrett-Lehigh Building. The fair will present more than 20 exhibitors and a curated focus on Afro-Brazilian art, underscoring the event's continued role as a platform for contemporary African and diasporic practices.

London's gallery sector is also expanding its footprint. Edel Assanti, founded in 2009, will open a second 450-square-foot space in St. James's at 11 Bury Street in May, beginning with a presentation of textile works by American artist Lonnie Holley (b. 1950). The gallery's larger Fitzrovia space will remain its main location. Emalin, founded in 2010, is relocating its headquarters to Clerkenwell, taking over a 5,000-square-foot former factory on Helmet Row that was recently vacated by Modern Art, while retaining its original space at the historic Clerk's House in Shoreditch.

In New York, 47 Canal will move to Chelsea and share a newly renovated space with Max Levai at 529 West 20th Street. The two galleries will operate separate programs under one roof beginning in fall 2026. Elsewhere, Robilant+Voena is splitting into two independent galleries, Robilant and Voena, after more than 20 years. Founders Edmondo di Robilant and Marco Voena will lead the new entities, with Michele di Robilant, Edoardo Voena, and Virginia Voena stepping into senior leadership roles.

Several galleries have also announced new representation. Gladstone now represents the estate of Pope.L; Pilar Corrias, in collaboration with Olney Gleason, now represents Alexis Ralaivao; Karimah Ashadu has joined Trautwein Herleth; Emalin has added Tolia Astakhishvili; and Galerie Poggi has taken on Manuel Mathieu.

Museum leadership is shifting as well. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation has named Melissa Chiu director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where she will move after leading the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. since 2014. At the Metropolitan Museum, Oluremi C. Onabanjo is now curator of the department of photographs. Julia Kaganskiy has joined Eyebeam as executive director.

In London, the National Gallery has selected Kengo Kuma and Associates to design its Project Domani extension, a £350 million ($470 million) expansion expected in the early 2030s. The museum also said it has met its staff cost-cutting target through voluntary redundancies and a hiring freeze, generating about £2 million ($2.7 million) in savings as it works toward an £8.2 million ($11 million) projected deficit for 2026/27. In Los Angeles, the Getty Center will close for roughly a year beginning in March 2027 for what officials described as the most significant modernization in its nearly 30-year history.

Beyond the museum and gallery sector, Greece has passed a new law targeting art forgery, with stricter penalties, a registry of expert appraisers, and a dedicated department within the culture ministry. The legislation also includes measures to protect cultural property and allows for the destruction of confirmed fakes.

The week's roundup also includes the deaths of Christine Ruiz-Picasso, who helped establish Museo Picasso Málaga, as well as artists Celeste Dupuy-Spencer, Thomas Zipp, and Siri Aurdal.

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