Category: Design

Through millennia of artistic expression and within the natural world, the ubiquitous spiral continues to mesmerize. In ancient traditions, the form often represents cycles. The triskele, for example, consists of three interlocking spirals thought to symbolize death, life, and rebirth or the triad of mind, body, and spirit. Spirals also emerge naturally in seashells and…

Across the expansive 140-acre grounds of The Clark Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, six contemporary artists have been invited to create site-specific works engaging with the property’s meadows, trails, and woods, while highlighting their individual practices. Sculptures by Yō Akiyama, Laura Ellen Bacon, Aboubakar Fofana, Hugh Hayden, Milena Naef, and Javier Senosiain dot a variety of…

In Edinburgh, along a stream known as the Water of Leith, six bronze figures known as “6 TIMES” stand amid the current and beside bridges, peering enigmatically down the urban waterway. Similarly, in Liverpool, “Another Place” comprises 100 life-size sculptures made from 17 molds that artist Antony Gormley (previously) took from his own body, installed…

In a world riddled with injustice and predicated on privilege for the few at the expense of the many, what does it mean to be well? An exhibition opening Friday at the Haggerty Museum of Art in Milwaukee considers the effects of concealed trauma and the inextricable ties between personal health and collective wellness. No…

For one month only, an uplifting fundraiser makes limited-edition prints by global wildlife photographers available for purchase, with proceeds directly benefiting Conservation International. Since its launch in 2020, Prints for Wildlife has raised more than $2.1 million for conservation programs worldwide. As these initiatives face abrupt funding cuts and an uphill battle against the ongoing…

If you’ve ever studied the rainbow-like mineral rings of petrified wood or observed light filter through the striations of a slice of agate, you’ll understand Jessica Drenk’s fascination with geology. The New York-based artist upcycles objects like junk mail and pencils to create elaborately layered, sculptural pieces evoking banded crystals and colorful sedimentary stone. Drenk’s…

Paradise for some, Hawai‘i is a place of ecological contradiction. The islands are known for their beautiful beaches and lush forests, and yet, they’re also home to the largest threats to avian populations. Dubbed “the bird extinction capital of the world,” Hawai‘i has witnessed its forest species decline from 50 to just 17 today. A…

From glowing portals that open up in swimming pools to an oversized cat sipping from an ornamental fountain, Masha Foya celebrates wonder and imagination in her dreamy illustrations. Based in Kyiv, the artist has previously collaborated with clients like Adobe, The New York Times, Sierra Club, Scientific American, and more, and her personal work continues…

From glazed ceramic, coated cardboard, wood, and acrylic paint, Steve Keister summons mythical beings and enigmatic animal-human hybrids. The artist’s current exhibition, Split Level at Derek Eller Gallery, is a survey of work made during the past eight years, glimpsing the artist’s ongoing exploration of Pre-Columbian art and architecture. Keister’s mixed-media sculptures initially emerged from…

From Pakistan to Sri Lanka, a vibrant tradition zooms down mountain passes and through city streets. The vernacular art form elaborately adorns vehicles with intricate motifs and celebrity portraits, while cabs brim with synthetic flowers, tassels, and dreamcatchers. A common sight on Southeast Asian roadways, these vivid modes of transport are the subject of a…