Juan José Santos on the activist art collective’s actions under Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship
The Colectivo Acciones de Arte (CADA) was active in Chile between 1979 and 1985, carrying out art actions planned for public spaces, factories or to be ‘inserted’ into mainstream media. They never worked with an art institution, a fact they made clear on several occasions.
From the Back Catalogue
Issue 322 Dec–Jan 2008–09
Olafur Eliasson, The New York City Waterfalls, 2008
Bread and Circuses
Peter Scott on the mayor, the waterfalls and the art of neoliberalism
Partnering with Eliasson to facilitate his trademark approach of making the armature for his effects visible, Tishman Realty engineered the massive scaffolding to support the waterfalls that, the artist claims, ‘is not an unfamiliar structure in New York’: ‘You see it on every construction site in the city. I want people to know that this is both a natural phenomenon and a cultural one.’ It is hard to know what more a developer could ask for.
sponsored
50 Years of Artlaw
Artlaw Retrospective
Art Monthly covers from the present back to Issue 1
Censorship
Henry Lydiate on the repression of art over the decades
In January 2025, US President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term, since when his administration has aggressively reshaped federal arts and cultural policy by removing what it terms ‘improper ideology’ from public institutions. These actions have targeted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, specific artistic themes, and the leadership of major cultural agencies: they echo repressive fascist and communist totalitarian censorship regimes over the past hundred years.
Previous Retrospectives
Art Monthly celebrates its 50th anniversary and 500th issue in October 2026. Henry Lydiate marks the magazine’s 50th year by reviewing his Artlaw column since its first publication in 1976. Throughout 2026, one broad subject is explored each month, noting significant events and issues, and commenting on key changes and developments to date.
Art After Death – Henry Lydiate on the legal wrangles over artists’ estates
Artist’s Moral Rights – Henry Lydiate on the development of artist’s moral rights
Artist’s Copyright – Henry Lydiate on the scope of artist’s copyright
Artist’s Contracts – Henry Lydiate on the value of artist’s contracts
About Artlaw – Henry Lydiate on the development of Artlaw over the past half century
Liam Gillick black cap modelled by Vivienne Griffin
Art Monthly x Liam Gillick
TAKING ART APART SINCE 1976
White version: out of stock New black version now available!
To celebrate Art Monthly’s 50th anniversary in 2026, Liam Gillick has produced a cap design to support the magazine’s fundraising campaign.
• 100% cotton
• One-size, adjustable
• £39 including UK delivery
Oreet Ashery’s Piece, 2025, modelled by Onyeka Igwe
Art Monthly x Oreet Ashery
PIECE
Last few available!
To celebrate Art Monthly’s 50th anniversary in 2026, Oreet Ashery has produced a T-shirt to support the magazine’s fundraising campaign.
• Limited edition of 30
• Organic white cotton
• One-size
• Introductory price £39 including UK delivery
Each T-shirt is supplied with a separate printed poem signed by the artist, which includes the lines:
Daily People The Gallery, Willesden Green Library, London, 4 - 16 Aug | PV 6 Aug Brings together portraits captured from daily life in London and Goa, two homes and the people met along the way. Each work holds a small story: a moment, a glance, a life in motion.
Find local shows with the Art Monthly gallery maps!
Podcasts
Art Monthly on the Radio
Art Monthly hosts a show to discuss the current issue at 8pm on the second Monday every month on Resonance 104.4 FM , with the show repeated at 10am the following Wednesday.
On iTunes
The Art Monthly Talk Show is available as a podcast on iTunes – subscribe for free automatic downloads
Jul: Dan Rees reflects on issues raised by Sung Tieu’s work for the German Pavilion in Venice; Bob Dickinson argues that it might be time for us to adopt the newly coined term ‘hydrocene’ to describe our age. Hosted by Matt Hale.
Jun: Mark Prince argues that sculptures once-default position as a surrogate for presence has been challenged. Hosted by Matt Hale.
May: Sarah E James explains why political action always falls to individual artists, Matthew Bowman discusses Lucia Pizzani’s exhibition at Focal Point Gallery. Hosted by Matt Hale.
Twelfth Edition of the International Awards for Art Criticism
Submit a piece of critical writing about a contemporary art exhibition held anywhere in the world or online between 1st September 2025 and 11th August 2026, for a chance of winning one of four prizes totalling over 20k euros. IAAC, Royal College of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, AICA, School of Philosophy Fudan University, Shanghai Zhangyuan Art Museum. | 14 Sep iaac-m21.com
promoted
East London Art Prize
£15,000 + solo exhibition at Nunnery Gallery + year-long studio residency for runner-up. Full shortlist of 12 artists receives mentoring and career development. All media are welcome. Artist collectives accepted. Bow Arts | 16 Aug bowarts.org
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