1) Artists, Writers and Curators Discuss The Best and Worst Exhibitions of the Year

Natasha Dhilon

This January 1st, let’s take a look back at some of the best (and worst) art and design work that came out in 2015. On Hyperallergic, artistic “luminaries” talk about their favourite and least favourite art exhibitions of the year. On the whole, the piece provides a fascinating showcase of what contemporary artists from all over the world were producing and showing – getting you up-to-date on the current trends of the art world.  

2) A Strong Year for Sustainable Design

Design for a deployable emergecy module by students at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Peru

Design Boom’s list of the top 10 reader-submitted designs for social impact showcases industrial design work from individuals and groups across the globe. Each one of these designs is uniquely tailored to the needs and struggles of a particular area and installation, and seeing the diversity of solutions is quite a treat.

3) Art Gets Political

The Art Newspaper celebrates 25 years of publication with this look back at 2015 and how art became newly politicized and integrated with international issues. The month-by-month look back at the year features looks at the loss of heritage art pieces in Syria, Ai Weiwei’s ongoing struggle with the Chinese government and the effects of the Paris attacks on the art community in the French capital.

4) The Fight for Equality Continues

Carmen Herrera, Untitled, 2013

Finally, ArtNews offers this piece on the omnipresence of gender inequality in the art world, with words from several prominent critics and curators on the subject. We reported on several important steps forward for feminism in the arts throughout the year, but it’s clear we still have a long way to go in 2016.