National Gallery of Art closes to public in Washington, D.C.

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art closes to the public | Art News reports that Washington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art has closed to the public indefinitely, following the closure of other tourist and museum sites across the capital due to the current partial shutdown of federal government, which began on 22 December. The shutdown and resulting lack of funding has led to the closures of the Smithsonian Institute sites, the National Zoo and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden among others. The sites are expected to remain shut until President Trump and Congress agree to pass new funding legislation.

Artworks seized from residence of former president of Argentina | It is reported that some $4 million worth of artworks were seized from the private residence of Argentina’s former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, now a senator, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into charge of corruption brought against Fernández last year. Artnet reports that the raid, resulting in the seizure of more than 30 artworks was approved in August and carried out last Thursday. Fernández has responded on Twitter, accusing newspaper Clarin of distracting readers from recent tax increases by focusing on her art collection.

Nicola L. (1937–2018) | The French-Morrocan artist and activist Nicola L. has died in Los Angeles at the age of 81. Known for her performances, videos, furniture and sculptural installations, L. had been associated with the French Nouveau Réalisme school of the 1960s, creating political and feminist work that was both humorous and disturbing.