Art Outlook: 8 January

Some of the stories and discussions we’ve spotted online this week

National Portrait Gallery appoints new director

Nicholas Cullinan will replace Sandy Nairne as the director of London’s National Portrait Gallery, returning to the UK after two years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Long regarded as a rising star, Cullinan recently co-curated Tate Modern’s celebrated Matisse cut-outs exhibition alongside Nicholas Serota.

New director for Art Basel Asia

Adeline Ooi has been appointed director of Art Basel in Asia. The Malaysian curator and art advisor replaces Magnus Renfrew, who left the role in July to take up a position at Bonhams auction house.

Underground city discovered in Turkey

A 5,000 year-old underground city, thought to be the largest in the world, has been unearthed in the Nevşehir province of central Turkey, in the area of Cappadocia. The discovery was made during construction work on a housing project.

Turner’s house ‘saved’

Turner is in the headlines again. This time, it’s his Twickenham house that has people talking. Built in 1813 and used by the artist as a country retreat, Sandy Lodge had fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years. But a £1.4 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will ensure its survival, and the house will be restored before being opened to the public in 2016.

Labour tweets about arts funding

The Labour party has come under fire for announcing that it would not reverse Conservative cuts to arts funding in the UK if the party wins the general election in May. The party has been accused of bragging about its commitment to the £83 million of cuts on Twitter, and has been widely criticised by many cultural figures. Shadow Culture Secretary Harriet Harman has defended the decision.