Sackler family reportedly ready to give up ownership of Purdue Pharma

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Sackler family reportedly ready to give up ownership of Purdue Pharma | The Sackler family, which has provided significant funding to arts organisations, is considering relinquishing the ‘entire value’ of its pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, in a latest attempt to settle around 2,000 lawsuits, sources have told CNN. The company, which manufactures OxyContin, is facing legal action over claims that the drug has fuelled the US opioid crisis.

Vasif Kortun announced as director of Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum | The Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum (IHRM) will appoint curator, writer and educator Vasif Kortun as its new director. Kortun, who moves to IHRM from SALT Istanbul, where he was director of research and programmes from 2011–17, will oversee the official reopening of the museum, scheduled for 2020.

Whitney Museum names Tiona Nekkia McClodden as recipient of 2019 Bucksbaum Award | The Whitney Museum in New York has announced Tiona Nekkia McClodden as the winner of its Bucksbaum Award, the accolade given to an artist participating in the Whitney Biennial. The Philadelphia-based artist, whose video installation I prayed to the wrong god for you (2019) features the artist carving a tree as a ritual dedicated to the god Shango, will receive $100,000 in prize money.

Pace Gallery announces appointments at opening of new East Coast headquarters | Pace Gallery opened its new eight-storey headquarters in New York on Tuesday before announcing several senior appointments. Moving from MoMA PS1, Oliver Shultz joins Pace as the gallery’s new curatorial director, whilst Michaëla Mohrmann takes up the position of associate curatorial director, leaving behind a fellowship at MoMA.