Everyday newspapers and social media platforms feature a large amount of art news and events. Among those, David Bowie mural enrages fans and critics; Ai Weiwei plans memorial for refugees and poses as drowned Syrian baby; auction houses open February sales with unexpected results.

Here is UV’s pick of the 7 most important art news of the week.

1 – Christie’s February opening sale totals £95.9 million

To support the idea that the art market can still boast a strong demand despite the difficult times, earlier this week Christie’s opened the February sales cycle in London and totalled £95.9 million, defying all expectations. Three of the four top lots are relatively new to the art market, whereas the fourth and most valuable lot was a massive Miro painting.

(via )

2 – Ai Weiwei’s latest artwork will honour drowned refugees

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is planning an all new work to commemorate the refugees, and at the same time raise awareness on this terrible crisis. The memorial will be made of 14,000 life jackets left by migrants on the beach of the Greek island of Lesbos, and will honour the numerous refugees drowned on their way to Europe.

(via )

3 – Guggenheim Museum celebrate Peter Fischli and David Weiss with first retrospective

New York’s Guggenheim Museum launched “Peter Fischli David Weiss: How to Work Better”, the first retrospective in honour of the Swiss artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss. Running from February 5th through April 20th, the exhibition will celebrate the peculiar take on art of the duo,  famous for characterising their art (made from everyday objects) with an intrinsic and peculiar humor.

(via )

4 – Royal Photographic Society collection moves to the V&A

About 400,000 objects from the Royal Photographic Society treasured at Bradford’s National Media Museum will be transferred to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The move is part of a programme to create an international photography resource centre. However the decision has enraged Bradford’s politicians and art enthusiasts, who fears this might lead to the closure of the beloved National Media Museum.

(via )

5 – Art world and fans furious about David Bowie mural

A mural of David Bowie on the streets of Sheffield has enraged the art world and the fans. The painting by local street artist Trik9, is clearly inspired by the iconic portrait of Bowie in Brixton by Jimmy C, which became the gathering point for mourners and fans earlier this January. However, the lack of resemblance with the singer of Sheffield’s mural immediately spiked the attention and rage of worldwide amateur art critics and fans.

(via )

6 – Larry Gagosian and Qatar royal family dispute over custody of Picasso Bust

Larry Gagosian and a representative of Qatar royal family disputed for almost a month over the custody of Picasso’s 1930 plaster bust of his muse Marie-Thérèse Walter. The two parties claimed ownership of the bust, sold to both of them by Maya Widmaier-Picasso, daughter of the artist and Ms. Walter. Eventually, the two groups reached a temporary agreement: the sculpture will go to the Gagosian Gallery until the complete resolution of the dispute.

(via )

7 – Massimo De Carlo gallery new space in Hong Kong

Massimo De Carlo Gallery will open a new space in the iconic Pedder Building in Hong Kong. The opening is scheduled for the upcoming March, and follows the expansion of Massimo De Carlo Gallery in London. Founded in 1987 the Milan-based gallery is gradually yet steadily increasing its presence on the international art stage, growing particularly in both mainland China and Hong Kong.

(via )

Ultra Vie is your home of cultural events in London. Whether you’re a foodie, mad about theatre or love a good art gallery we have something for you. So if you haven’t already be sure to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for your chance to get yourself to some of the amazing events that we cover.