Austyn Taylor, open call winning artist and her many characters spreading optimism across the world one gallery at a time: "My work is vivid, colorful, innocent, courageous and absurd. I make characters in hand sculpted clay based on animals and people I have encountered. The work acts as a signal- "everything will be ok" like a safe place to wonder about how we even exist as humans in the first place." Taylor is internationally recognized for her hand-built ceramic sculptures—playful yet deeply philosophical characters inspired by animals, human behavior, and the shared experiences that connect people across cultures. Influenced by ancient clay traditions from Mesopotamia, Japan, Europe, Africa, and Central America, she sees clay as one of humanity's most universal artistic languages: fragile yet enduring, humble yet capable of carrying profound meaning across generations.

In London’s evolving contemporary art landscape, a new generation of collectors is reshaping how galleries are conceived and run. Louis Jacquier, co-founder of Tiderip, represents this shift, where collecting is no longer a private pursuit but an active, collaborative force. Rooted in close relationships with artists and a long-term commitment to their development, Jacquier’s approach has extended into the creation of a gallery that privileges dialogue, experimentation, and emotional depth. At the centre of this approach is a philosophy he often summarises as: “I collect artists rather than artworks.”

The Athens Biennale has announced a major restructuring of its governance alongside the appointment of Thiago de Paula Souza as curator of its 8th edition in 2027. The new model introduces a formalised structure of trustees, advisors, and curatorial leadership, consolidating the Biennale within a tightly interlinked network of cultural patrons, collectors, and institutional stakeholders. While presented as an “evolving ecosystem,” the shift reflects a broader transformation in contemporary art governance, where cultural legitimacy is increasingly shaped through structures aligned with private capital and strategic institutional management. Against this backdrop, de Paula Souza’s curatorial practice—rooted in institutional critique and transnational experimentation—introduces a productive tension between radical discourse and formalised cultural power.

Giusy Amoroso, also known as Marigoldff, winner of the fifth Open Call, constructs speculative ecosystems where biology and industry converge. Working across digital and physical realms, her practice examines how organisms adapt within environments shaped by contamination, technological intervention, and ecological instability. Rooted in her upbringing in Southern Italy’s “Land of Fires,” Amoroso’s work moves beyond narratives of destruction to focus on transformation as a condition of survival. Through hybrid anatomies—where metal, synthetic matter, and organic tissue coexist—she proposes new models of life that are both resilient and dependent. This conversation traces the conceptual, technical, and experiential layers that define her evolving practice.

Danish artist Laust Højgaard explores the tension between strength, vulnerability, and identity through paintings and sculptures populated by symbolic characters and surreal situations. Drawing inspiration from classical mythology, architecture, and contemporary pop culture, his work investigates how individuals navigate societal structures while negotiating their own instincts and inner conflicts. Based on the small island of Thurø near Svendborg in southern Denmark, Højgaard works across painting and sculpture, often combining expressive figuration with raw, intuitive processes. His work frequently reflects on humanity’s relationship with nature, control, and the systems that shape modern life.

Frieze Los Angeles 2026 closed with a surge of energy, attracting over 32,000 visitors and strong institutional participation. Blue-chip galleries like David Zwirner, Gagosian, and Hauser & Wirth reported multi-million-dollar sales, while emerging artists in the Focus section sold out their presentations. The fair combined high-profile acquisitions, site-specific installations, and performances, reinforcing Los Angeles as a global hub for contemporary art and collector engagement.