Hyperallergic Newsletter Explores Testicle Art, Lonnie Bunch's Resignation, and Brazil's Figurative Revival
The September 2026 edition of Hyperallergic includes an article by Associate Editor Phillip Pyle that explores the theme of testicle art, drawing inspiration from Kacey Musgraves's performance on glittering testicles during her Middle of Nowhere Tour. Pyle connects Musgraves with artists such as Phillip Guston and Pippa Garner, and notes Alexandra Rubinstein's disco balls, which Hrag Vartanian praised at the 2024 Spring Break Art Show. Ed Simon raises concerns regarding the resignation of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, emphasizing his commitment to Black history in contrast to conservative figures like Kevin D. Roberts. The newsletter also covers a strike at the Victoria and Albert Museum and increasing public trust in museums. Ela Bittencourt discusses Brazilian women painters, and an interview with James McAnally is featured. The In Memoriam section pays tribute to Jean-François Leroy, Lucien Smith, and Jibby Beane.
Key facts
- Kacey Musgraves performed atop sparkly testicles during her Middle of Nowhere Tour, prompting Hyperallergic's feature on testicle art.
- Associate Editor Phillip Pyle wrote 'A Brief History of Testicle Art,' tracing the lineage from Phillip Guston to Pippa Garner.
- Alexandra Rubinstein's gonad-shaped disco balls were admired by Hyperallergic co-founder Hrag Vartanian at the 2024 Spring Break Art Show.
- Ed Simon warned that Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch's resignation is a wake-up call, contrasting Bunch's career with Heritage Foundation president Kevin D. Roberts's 2003 dissertation on slavery in Louisiana.
- Workers at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London struck over 'Amazon-style' labor conditions at the V&A East Storehouse.
- A new study found trust in museums rising across partisan lines.
- Ela Bittencourt profiled five women painters—Panmela Castro, Agrade Camíz, Márcia Falcão, Maya Weishof, and Gokula Stoffel—leading Brazil's new wave of figuration.
- The Rabkin Foundation announced eight unrestricted $50,000 awards to 2026 Rabkin Prize winners.
Entities
Artists
- Kacey Musgraves
- Alexandra Rubinstein
- Hrag Vartanian
- Phillip Pyle
- Phillip Guston
- Pippa Garner
- Ed Simon
- Lonnie Bunch
- Kevin D. Roberts
- Panmela Castro
- Agrade Camíz
- Márcia Falcão
- Maya Weishof
- Gokula Stoffel
- Ela Bittencourt
- James McAnally
- Sara Reisman
- Jean-François Leroy
- Lucien Smith
- Jibby Beane
- Diane Burko
- Lee Krasner
- Evan Turner
- Sally Mann
- Natalie Weis
- Valentina Di Liscia
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Spring Break Art Show
- Smithsonian
- Heritage Foundation
- University of Texas at Austin
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- V&A East Storehouse
- Counterpublic Triennial
- Rabkin Foundation
- Morven Museum & Garden
- Marian Locks Gallery
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- Princeton
- New Jersey
- United States
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Louisiana