The Art World in 2025: Unveiling a Year of Extraordinary Exhibitions and Biennials

In 2025, the global art scene is poised to offer an extraordinary array of exhibitions, retrospectives, and biennials that promise to captivate audiences and redefine cultural landscapes. From comprehensive retrospectives of pioneering artists to innovative biennials exploring contemporary themes, this year stands as a testament to the dynamic and evolving nature of global art.

This article provides an in-depth overview of the most anticipated art events of 2025, highlighting their significance, the artists involved, and the broader cultural implications. By examining these exhibitions, we gain insight into the current trends shaping the art world and the dialogues they seek to foster.

Ruth Asawa: Retrospective

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is hosting a comprehensive retrospective of Ruth Asawa's work from April 5 to September 2, 2025. This exhibition features over 300 pieces spanning six decades, including her signature looped-wire sculptures, drawings, paintings, and design objects. A notable aspect of the exhibition is a gallery designed to evoke Asawa's Noe Valley home, complete with her hand-carved redwood doors and personal sketchbooks. Asawa, a Japanese American artist, was known for her innovative use of materials and forms, as well as her dedication to arts education and public art in San Francisco. The retrospective aims to highlight her artistic achievements and her impact on the community.

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York is presenting "Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers" from April 18, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The exhibition showcases nearly 90 works, including black-soap paintings, text-based pieces, large-scale sculptures, and video installations. Johnson's work engages with themes of Black identity, history, and culture, reflecting his exploration of personal and collective narratives. A highlight of the exhibition is "Sanguine," a monumental site-specific work on the museum's top ramp, incorporating an embedded piano for musical performances.

Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei

The Seattle Art Museum is hosting "Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei" from March 12 to September 7, 2025. This exhibition features over 100 works spanning Ai Weiwei's four-decade career, including iconic pieces like "Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn" (1995) and "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (Gold)" (2010). The exhibition also includes works never before shown in the U.S., offering a comprehensive look at Ai's politically charged practice that critiques government policies and advocates for human rights.

Liverpool Biennial 2025: 'Bedrock'

The 13th edition of the Liverpool Biennial, titled "Bedrock," runs from June 7 to September 14, 2025. Curated by Marie-Anne McQuay, the biennial draws on Liverpool's geography and social foundations, inspired by the city's sandstone architecture. The exhibition aims to explore the foundational elements of society and culture, integrating art into the city's fabric and fostering community engagement.

36th São Paulo Biennial: 'Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice'

The 36th São Paulo Biennial, titled "Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice," is scheduled from September 6, 2025, to January 11, 2026. Curated by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, this edition extends the traditionally month-long event by an additional four weeks. The biennial explores themes of human movement and cultural exchange, addressing contemporary issues of migration, globalization, and cultural identity.

EXPO Chicago

EXPO Chicago, an international contemporary and modern art exhibition, takes place from April 24 to 27, 2025, at Navy Pier in Chicago. The event features a diverse range of galleries and artists, offering a platform for emerging and established talents. By bringing together a global community of artists and galleries, EXPO Chicago contributes to the city's cultural economy and reinforces its status as a hub for contemporary art.

ArtPrize 2025

ArtPrize 2025 is scheduled from September 18 to October 4, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This open, independently organized international art competition awards substantial prizes based on public and juried voting. ArtPrize transforms Grand Rapids into an open art gallery, encouraging public engagement with contemporary art and fostering a sense of community ownership and appreciation for the arts.

Picasso: The Three Dancers

Tate Modern in London is opening "Picasso: The Three Dancers" on September 25, 2025. The exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of Picasso's iconic 1925 painting, examining its themes of sex, death, and politics through a selection of the artist's key works. The exhibition contextualizes "The Three Dancers" within Picasso's broader body of work and its historical significance.

Ralph Pucci's 'Pure' Exhibition

From June 23 to September 25, 2025, Ralph Pucci International presents "Pure," a sculptural design exhibition at Château La Coste in Provence, France. The exhibition celebrates the 70th anniversary of the New York-based gallery and 50 years under Ralph Pucci’s leadership. Held in the Oscar Niemeyer Pavilion, the exhibition features sculptural works made from Pucci’s proprietary Plasterglass material, emphasizing raw textures and minimalist design. Visitors can also witness live sculpting by Pucci’s master sculptor, offering insight into the studio’s evolution from a mannequin factory to a luxury design gallery.

These exhibitions reflect current trends in the art world, such as retrospectives of underrecognized artists, exploration of political and social themes, and the blending of art with community engagement. Major art events like these foster international dialogue and cultural exchange, contributing to the global art scene's vibrancy and diversity.

As 2025 unfolds, these exhibitions offer art enthusiasts and the general public opportunities to engage with a rich array of artistic experiences, highlighting both contemporary and historical works across various mediums and cultural contexts.