Art Writer Robin Cembalest
Throughout her career, Robin has covered the people, places, and trends shaping the art world. Following is a non-chronological sampling from Robin’s hundreds of publications.
Alexander the Great?
Actress Jane Alexander sworn in as head of the National Endowment for the Arts.
‘The Last of a Kind’
Painter Antoni Tàpies, descendant of Picasso and Miró, did not leave an heir apparent.
Much Ado About Doodoo
The “doodoo” comment, from Rep. Robert Dornan about a work by John Miller, focused on just one of the controversies surrounding the beleaguered National Endowment for the Arts amidst conservative efforts to abolish the agency.
Take My Grant, Please
Artists who distributed their grant money to “undocumented taxpayers” sparked yet another controversy over government funding
‘No One is Completely Satisfied’
Acting NEA head Anne-Imelda Radice was criticized by the left and the right as she tried to keep the agency afloat.
A Kinder, Gentler Globalism?
Globalism is still the catchword of the Guggenheim. But under new director Richard Armstrong, look for a shift in the way the museum pursues it.
Janine Antoni
Using her body as a tool, the artist shares visceral messages about feminism, the body, and art history.
Apocalypse Then
The graphic language of 900-year-old Catalan frescoes refers to love, damnation, and the all-seeing eye of God.
Indelible Images
Cornell Capa, Anne Tucker, Peter Galassi, and Marvin Heiferman on images that made a powerful impact.
Matadorable bullfighter Rafael Camino
Interviewing the popular torero at his finca in La Mancha
From Broadway to Beltway
Actress Jane Alexander takes the helm of the embattled National Endowment for the Arts.
Spanish Cities Where Sherry Rules
The Spanish cities of Jerez, Puerto de Santa María and Sanlucar de Barrameda make most of the world's sherry, but there is plenty to do in these small cities besides drink wine, and plenty to see as well.
Art Museum Directors, Unite
The stodgy AAMD votes to reinvent itself with new initiatives on membership, deaccessioning, and other hot-button issues
Spain’s African Enclave: Letter from Melilla
While some view Melilla, the Spanish city in the Maghreb, as an outdated relic of colonialism, others see it as a multicultural harbinger of Europe’s future.