Amy Sillman Joins David Zwirner, Artwork Removed in Kochi, and More Art World News

The year begins with continued strikes at the Louvre and new protests at the Uffizi. Here’s Ocula’s briefing on the past seven days in the art world.

Biennials and Institutions

‘Last Supper’ Nude Removed from Kochi-Muziris Biennale

The Kochi Biennale Foundation removed Tom Vattakuzhy’s painting Supper at a Nunnery from its Edam Keralan artists showcase (a parallel exhibition to the biennale) following objections from Christian groups. The work depicts an all-female Last Supper, with a nude Mata Hari—a Dutch dancer convicted of espionage during World War I—in the place of Jesus and surrounded by nuns.

British Museum Hunts for an ‘Indiana Jones’

London’s biggest museum is seeking a ‘treasure hunter’ to continue the search for the approximately 1,500 Greek and Roman antiquities allegedly stolen and sold by former curator Peter Higgs. The successful candidate will focus on ‘writing letters to dealers, auction houses and collectors around the world,’ Tom Harrison, Keeper of Greece and Rome told The Times. To date, 654 items have been recovered.

Istanbul Biennial Cut Short After Curator Departure

The 18th edition of Turkey’s biennial, entitled The Three-Legged Cat, has come to an early conclusion following curator Christine Tohmé’s resignation, citing ‘personal reasons’. The biennial was originally conceived in three parts, with programming planned for 2026 and 2027 following the closure of the first phase in November.

Staff Protest at Major European Museums

In Paris on Monday, staff at the Musée du Louvre staged a mass walkout, continuing their protest against working conditions and the state of the building, and calling for expensive expansion plans to be shelved. The museum partially reopened that afternoon, allowing visitor access to certain works including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Meanwhile, at the Gallerie degli Uffizi in Florence, more than 100 employees gathered on Sunday to demonstrate against the ‘precarious’ situation for temporary staff, many of whom lost their jobs following a recent change in museum contractors.

Gallery Representations

Painter Amy Sillman Joins David Zwirner

The New York-based artist, who is known for her abstract paintings and who currently has a major installation on view at Dia Bridgehampton, has moved to the blue-chip mega-gallery. Previously represented by Gladstone Gallery. Sillman’s first exhibition with David Zwirner will be held in New York next year.

Awards and Residencies

Flamin Fellowship Recipients Announced

Film London has revealed the 2025–2026 cohort of the Flamin Fellowship, which supports the next generation of artist-filmmakers in the United Kingdom through bursaries and mentorship. This edition’s fellows are Alina Akbar, Charlie Osborne, Dino Zhang, Jordan Antonowicz-Behnan, Laisul Hoque and Simon Hamlyn.

Obituaries

Italian Artist Lucia Di Luciano Dies at 93

The Arte Programmata (‘Programmed Art’) pioneer Lucia Di Luciano died last weekend, her galleries (10 A.M. Art and Herald St) announced. Di Luciano’s work, which redefined visual language ‘according to rational, systematic, and anti-expressive principles’, was exhibited in the 59th Venice Biennale, and will feature in a major retrospective in 2027 at MAXXI in Rome.

Boston Collector John Axelrod Dies at 79

The collector and museum patron was killed on Saturday in a hit-and-run near his home in the Back Bay neighbourhood of Boston. Axelrod was an avid supporter of New England art galleries and an honorary advisor to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, who acquired his collection of work by African American artists in 2011.

Museum Co-Founder Mori Yoshiko Dies at 85

The co-founder of Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum died from pneumonia in late December. Yoshiko co-founded the Japanese mainstay institution in 2003 alongside her late husband, real estate developer Minoru Mori.

Gagosian Director Bob Monk Dies at 75

The New York gallerist Bob Monk died in mid-December, as shared this week by ArtNews. A longtime director at Gagosian, Monk previously co-founded SoHo-based Lorence-Monk Gallery. He worked closely with many American artists, notably Ed Ruscha and Richard Artschwager. —[O]

Main image: Amy Sillman, Ghost (2023–2024) (detail). Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner.