Julian Abernathy

Senior Editor, Culture & Dialogue

Educated at Oxford in Art History, Julian began his career contributing to The Sunday Times before a decade-long tenure as a European cultural correspondent. He is best known for his provocative essays on post-modernism and his insightful profiles of artists like Anselm Kiefer and Yayoi Kusama. Before joining Modern & Affluent, Julian was the editor-at-large for 'Apollo' magazine, where his column on the art market won the prestigious Orwell Prize for Journalism. He resides in London but considers the world's galleries and biennales his true office.

Expertise

Contemporary Art CriticismPost-War European ArtArt Market AnalysisCultural TheoryModern SculptureBiennale and Art Fair CoverageArtist Profiling

Coverage Areas

The Contemporary Art Market
Major Gallery Exhibitions
Artist Studio Visits
Cultural Philanthropy

Latest Articles

The 2026 Shelby Ford F-150 Baja Raptor R, a powerful off-road truck, charging through a desert with dust trailing behind it.
The Portfolio

Shelby Unveils 1,000+ HP Baja Raptor for 2026

The 2026 Shelby Ford F-150 Baja Raptor R now boasts over 1,000 horsepower and starts at a staggering $194,795, according to HiConsumption .

Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read

A hand pouring a rare 25-year-old Mount Gay rum from a crystal decanter into a tasting glass in an elegant bar setting.
The Portfolio

Mount Gay Releases First Age-Statement Rums in New Collection

Mount Gay, a distillery established in 1703, has unveiled its inaugural age-statement rums, including a 25-year-old expression limited to just 2,376 bottles worldwide, as reported by Verge Magazine .

Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X speeding up the treacherous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course, setting a new production-car record.
The Portfolio

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Smashes Production-Car Record at Pikes Peak

The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X shattered the Pikes Peak production-car record by over 23 seconds, completing the treacherous 12.

Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read

Affluent collectors and art patrons gather in a modern museum gallery, discussing a significant artwork, signaling a shift in cultural patronage by 2026.
Culture & Dialogue

Affluent Collectors Are Reshaping Museums: Are You Ready for 2026?

In a significant departure from traditional collecting, Eileen Harris Norton's personal holdings feature over 80 works by women artists and artists of color, actively correcting decades of institution

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A diverse group of people of varying ages and abilities enjoying a contemporary public sculpture in a sunlit urban park setting.
Culture & Dialogue

Exploring the Nuances of Public Art Accessibility

Even as organizations release free guidelines to democratize art, the very definition of 'accessibility' remains a 'moving target,' with individual needs often conflicting and constantly evolving.

Jun 21, 2026 · 5 min read

Ian Purkayastha, founder of Regalis Foods, meticulously preserves rare luxury ingredients like truffles using advanced scientific methods in a state-of-the-art facility.
The Portfolio

Ian Purkayastha preserves luxury ingredients for Regalis Foods

Storing truffles in rice, a widely accepted culinary practice, actively diminishes their quality, stripping away flavor and essential moisture.

Jun 21, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse audience members interacting with a contemporary art installation in a city square, highlighting community engagement with culture.
Culture & Dialogue

What are the modern manifestations of cultural philanthropy in 2026?

In 2025, while 62% of arts and culture organizations enjoyed a rise in their revenues, a disquieting 14% concurrently experienced audience declines—a figure more than double the 6% reported in the pri

Jun 17, 2026 · 4 min read

A bottle of William H. Macy Reserve Rye Third Edition and a glass of whiskey on a bar counter, showcasing its rich and complex flavor profile.
Taste

William H. Macy Reserve Rye Third Edition Offers Rich, Complex Flavors

This 10-year-old rye whiskey, the William H.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

A bottle of Starlight Distillery's 10-year-old bourbon displayed on a barrel in a distillery, highlighting its aged quality and craftsmanship.
The Portfolio

Starlight Distillery Bottles 10-Year-Old Bourbon

A 45-year-old bourbon, the Final Reserve James Thompson & Brother Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is set for a March 1st release at $1,800, with just 250 commemorative boxes.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Sutton Stracke's Bel Air estate, a luxurious modern mansion with city views, listed for $8.955 million.
The Portfolio

Sutton Stracke Lists Bel Air Estate for $8.955 Million

Just four years after acquiring her Bel Air estate for $5.35 million, reality star Sutton Stracke has listed the property for sale in 2026 at nearly $9 million, as reported by the New York Post.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Rivian R3 compact electric SUV parked on a scenic road during a cinematic sunset, emphasizing its design and the delay to 2028.
The Wardrobe

Rivian Delays Compact SUV Release to 2028

Rivian's most affordable vehicle, the R3, is slated for a 2028 release, a full year after its pricier R2 sibling.

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

A bottle of Old Forester President's Choice 2026 bourbon and rye displayed on a bar, with a whiskey glass nearby.
The Wardrobe

Old Forester Releases 2026 President's Choice Bourbon and Rye

Starting in 2025, Old Forester's highly anticipated President's Choice whiskey saw its age statement shrink from up to 12 years down to a maximum of nine, yet its $225 price tag remains unchanged.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Two bottles of Garrison Brothers 8-year-old sherry cask-finished bourbon displayed prominently on a wooden barrel in a distillery setting.
The Wardrobe

Garrison Brothers Launches Two New Sherry Cask Bourbons

Garrison Brothers, fresh off reporting over 40 percent growth in Texas sales, is launching two new 8-year-old sherry cask-finished bourbons.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A 230-foot superyacht named Project Zero, powered entirely by wind and solar energy, sails gracefully on the ocean.
The Portfolio

New 230-foot sailing yacht runs entirely on renewable energy

A 230-foot superyacht, Project Zero, is being built to sail for two weeks straight without burning a single drop of fossil fuel, relying entirely on wind and sun.

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

A glass of Jim Beam Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel bourbon with tasting notes of plum and caramel, alongside its bottle on a bar.
Taste

Jim Beam Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Scores Strong 88

Jim Beam's new Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7 Year, a high-proof bourbon boasting notes of ripe plum and burnt caramel, recently garnered an 88 out of 100 from critic Jonah Flicker.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

Aerial view of the Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra resort in Mallorca, highlighting its luxurious beachfront architecture and pristine Mediterranean setting.
The Portfolio

Mandarin Oriental Opens New Luxury Hotel in Mallorca in 2026

Despite reports claiming it's already open, the Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra in Mallorca won't welcome its first guests until June 1, 2026, with rooms starting at $1,500 (1,325 euros) per night, acco

Jun 7, 2026 · 2 min read

TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 watch featuring a unique 12-cylinder dial with rotating titanium pistons, inspired by V12 engines.
The Portfolio

TAG Heuer Monaco Unveils 12-Cylinder Dial Watch Limited to 50 Pieces

TAG Heuer has unveiled the Monaco Speed 12, a timepiece featuring a dial with a dozen rotating titanium pistons that indicate hours, inspired by V12 engines.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant bottle of Benriach 31-year-old Shades of Smoke single malt Scotch whisky, presented in a distillery setting with aged barrels.
The Portfolio

Benriach Releases New 31-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Benriach recently unveiled Shades of Smoke, a 31-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, carrying a suggested retail price of $925.

Jun 5, 2026 · 3 min read

Exterior view of Kristen Wiig's luxurious Pasadena home, a grand Mediterranean-style mansion with manicured gardens and a welcoming entrance.
The Portfolio

Kristen Wiig Lists Pasadena Home for $6.25 Million

Kristen Wiig has listed her Pasadena home for $6.25 million, poised for a potential $800,000 profit.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A 375ml bottle of Woodford Reserve Red Corn Bourbon, priced at $65, displayed prominently in a sophisticated bar setting, highlighting its collectible status.
The Portfolio

Woodford Reserve Announces 2026 Red Corn Bourbon Release

Woodford Reserve's upcoming experimental bourbon, Red Corn, commands a $65 price for a mere 375 ml bottle, underscoring a calculated move towards ultra-premium, ingredient-specific offerings within the

Jun 4, 2026 · 4 min read