Russia

Ukraine urges sanctions against Russian art sector

Statement from leading art world figures calls for a ban on Russian participants in international exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale and Documenta

Former Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky is leading peace talks with Ukraine

Controversial political figure was in post for eight years from 2012

Russian invasion puts Ukraine’s Venice Biennale pavilion on hold

The pavilion’s organisers said they are “not in immediate danger” but have been forced to halt work on the planned solo presentation of works by Pavlo Makov in Venice

'No to war': As Putin's tanks roll in, Ukrainian museums scramble to protect collections and Russian culture figures show solidarity

Poland’s Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial described the Russian invasion as "an act of barbarity that will be judged by history", while the Arsenal culture centre in Kyiv calls it a war “against all democratic states”

From naked protests to blockchain fundraising: how artists are protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Russia has warned of "legal repercussions" for taking part in anti-war demonstrations

Eight photographers you need to follow in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a sophisticated misinformation campaign alongside his invasion of Ukraine. If you want objective visual reporting, here are the best verified photographers on the frontlines of the war

Warnews

‘Many in Russia stand with Ukraine’: Russian art scene fears further ostracisation as West set to impose sanctions

President Putin’s decision to send troops into Luhansk and Donetsk will severely punish an already beleaguered Russian culture sector

'Nothing is as therapeutic these days as writing a grant proposal': Ukraine's museums batten down the hatches as war looms

As tension with Russia escalates, institutions near the border are checking their security systems and considering their evacuation plans

Russianews

Russian guard who doodled on $1m painting speaks out: ‘I’m a fool, what have I done!’

The 63-year-old injured war veteran spoke to Russian news outlet E1, which describes the incident as a tragedy not a comedy

Pussy Riot's Masha Alekhina arrested for second time in two months over social media posts

She has been sentenced to 15 days in prison for “propaganda of Nazi symbolism” after posting an image featuring swastikas on Instagram

How did the only painting sold by Van Gogh in his lifetime end up in Russia?

Revelations about The Red Vineyard, just conserved at Moscow’s Pushkin Museum

a blog by Martin Bailey

Photographer captures victims of war in Ukraine, past—and future?

Joseph Sywenkyj's series Wounds documents the aftermath of the armed conflict in the Donbas region

Russianews

Within minutes, top Russian artists manage to raise funds for legal defence of feminist artist facing six-year prison term

Yulia Tsvetkova, a LGBTQ activist-artist, is facing pornography charges for posting body-positive drawings

Oh shit: Russian artist faces criminal charges for 'playful snow poop installation' in St Petersburg park

Ivan Volkov's work in Marsovo Pole is thought to be a comment on poor street maintenance in the Russian city

Russianews

'Foreign agent' scrawled on Russian gallerist's door in blood red

Marat Guelman was designated a "foreign agent" by the Russian government last month, a label that comes with hefty restrictions

Russianews

Russia's oldest human rights society Memorial ordered to close as dissent clampdown continues

International Memorial documented the crimes committed under Stalin's Great Terror and its sister organisation Memorial Human Rights Centre chronicled today's abuses

Pussy Riot members jailed over social media posts

Masha Alekhina and Lucy Shteyn, who have previously served prison terms, were sentenced to 15 days following charges of "propaganda of Nazi symbolism"

'We will not forget about Viktor': incarcerated Russian arms dealer's art goes on show in Moscow

Viktor Bout was handed a 25-year sentence in the US in 2010 for conspiring to sell weapons to FARC, Colombia's largest rebel group

Russianews

Teacher at prestigious Moscow art school accused of abusing his underage students

Court has ordered the arrest of Viktor Yelizarov after more than ten former pupils came forward with allegations against him

Prizesnews

Winners of $450,000 Moscow Art Prize announced

The lucrative award is divided between 16 recipients and funded by the Moscow city government

Podcastspodcast

Fraud: the case of Inigo Philbrick

Plus, Warhol’s Catholicism and Moscow’s new museums

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speaker Georgina Adam. Produced by Julia Michalska, Aimee Dawson and David Clack. With Henrietta Bentall
Sponsored byChristie's

Garage Museum expands in Gorky park with move into historic Hexagon pavilion

Sanaa architects masterplan turns 1920s site in Moscow into vast exhibition space and library

Sanctioned Chechen leader appoints 22-year-old daughter as culture minister

Aishat Kadyrova marked her appointment by announcing an exhibition in the Chechen capital of historic weaponry from the State Hermitage Museum

Russia declares week of 'non-working days' following Covid spike, reducing museum capacity and closing cultural venues

Restrictions will come into force between 30 October and 7 November after cases reached highest-ever level since start of pandemic

‘It doesn’t stop with Putin’: Pussy Riot release NFT to mark almost ten years since members were sentenced to two years in Russian penal colony

NFT is based on the art collective’s court sentencing documents and recalls their 2012 Punk Prayer performance in Moscow’s Russian Orthodox cathedral

'Putin's been my person since the 90s': ahead of Russia's parliamentary elections, Hermitage director Mikhail Piotrovsky talks politics

The outspoken museum chief is leading the St Petersburg ticket of United Russia, the pro-Putin ruling party, in national parliamentary elections this weekend