While the United Kingdom insists on keeping its looted Benin Bronzes, the Netherlands has agreed to return 119 to Nigeria.
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February 20, 2025

While the United Kingdom insists on keeping its looted Benin Bronzes, the Netherlands has agreed to return 119 to Nigeria, the largest restitution of the African artifacts to date. Decolonizing late is better than never, British Museum!

Meanwhile, artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose, who represented Australia at the 2024 Venice Biennale, decried the country's "appalling" decision to drop Lebanese-born artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino from its next pavilion. Staff Reporter Maya Pontone has the latest on this unfolding controversy.

Also today, John Yau on Rudy Burckhardt's land- and cityscapes, Qingyuan Deng on Paul Mpagi Sepuya’s erotic photography, Matt Stromberg's handy guide to art fair week in Los Angeles, and more.

— Hakim Bishara, Senior Editor

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Fairs and Events Not to Miss During LA Art Week

From the Anti-Frieze performance festival to a benefit exhibition for artists impacted by fires, the city’s creative communities return with resilience. | Matt Stromberg

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The Reluctant Genius of Rudy Burckhardt

The complexity of Burckhardt’s work is easy to overlook, because he calls attention to neither his mastery nor his labor. | John Yau

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Paul Mpagi Sepuya’s Labyrinths of Desire 

Working with, alongside, and against conventions of portraiture photography, the artist manipulates the gaps between image and object. | Qingyuan Deng

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Repatriation is a Start, but True Healing for Benin Requires More

Equity should be discussed in the form of European and American institutions partnering with the Benin government to create sustainable museums. | Ndubuisi Ezeluomba

IM MEMORIAM

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Photographer of the Southern California skate scene | Eye of Photography

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