If 2025 proved anything, it's that the art world's centre of gravity is shifting. Yes, Paris delivered blockbusters – David Hockney nearly reduced some critics to tears at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, while the Musée d'Orsay reminded us why Belle Époque posters still matter.
But some of the year's most exciting moments happened away from the traditional art capitals: Central Asia emerged with game-changing institutions and events, with Cyprus launching its first international art fair. From Leigh Bowery's fearless theatricality at Tate Modern to Tracey Emin's raw confessions in Florence, these were exhibitions that demanded attention – not just for what they showed, but for how they reframed conversations about art's place in the world.
