Art Outlook

Some of the news and comment we’ve spotted online this week

Isis destroys two mausoleums in Palmyra

The historic tombs of two Islamic figures – Mohammed Bin Ali, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, and the Sufi scholar Nizar Abu Bahaa Eddine – have been destroyed by militants in Palmyra. The news broke shortly after it was reported that explosives had been laid in the town’s Roman-era ruins.

Russborough treasures withdrawn from Christie’s sale

The Alfred Beit Foundation has pulled seven Old Master paintings from auction at the last minute after a group of private donors stepped forward with an alternative offer. The auction sale, which was intended to create an endowment for the upkeep of Russborough house in County Wicklow, had caused uproar in Ireland in the preceding weeks.

Feminist artist Miriam Schapiro dies at the age of 91

Schapiro embraced handicrafts and decorative art to honour the creative work of domestic women, and worked with Judy Chicago on Womanhouse, a major project that dramatised the sense of imprisonment felt by many woman in the home.

Charles Correa: 1930–2015

Correa, who died last week, was one of India’s most influential modernist architects. In addition to designing a series of iconic buildings, he worked on significant urban planning and low-cost housing projects.

Court orders Danh Vo to create new artwork

Vo has one year to create a ‘large and impressive’ work for Bert Kreuk, who issued a claim of compliance against him last year. The Dutch collector alleges that the artist failed to produce a promised new commission for a Gemeentemuseum show, which he was subsequently to acquire for his own collection. Yesterday, a Rotterdam court upheld the claim, but Vo has already vowed to appeal.

Shepard Fairey faces arrest over Detroit graffiti

Detroit police have issued a felony arrest warrant after the street artist tagged several of the city’s buildings during a recent visit. Fairey had been invited to create the biggest mural of his career at One Campus Martius, but the authorities allege he caused up to $9,000 worth of illegal damage in his spare time.

David Shrigley designs terrifying football mascot for Partick Thistle

The fuzzy yellow figure is anything but cuddly, and seems to confirm Lisa Simpson as the muse of the moment in sports design.

Queen Elizabeth offers withering response to German painting gift

‘That’s a funny colour for a horse.’ Art criticism at its most dismissive.