Although grounded in actual places and actual people, the artist’s subjects were always utterly transformed by his imagination, writes Tom Walker
Plus: Danish museum and artist in dispute over two blank canvases; and more stories
The acclaimed textile artist, a maestro of colour and master manipulator of thread, explains why it’s more interesting to make mistakes
The shortlisted collectives are more interested in what takes place outside the museum – so considering them for an art prize seems besides the point
Oxford Botanic Garden has played a vital role in the evolution of plant science since it was founded 400 years ago
The conceptual artist is careful about who he invites to the studio, but counts George Michael as one of his most interesting visitors
Painted in around 1625, the Penitent Mary Magdalene inspired a host of copies before disappearing. Now, it has resurfaced in a private collection
Some unusual relationship advice has recently caught Rakewell’s eye. Next time you’re nursing a broken heart, why not try drawing your shoe?
The Japanese-Swiss artist's first exhibition in the UK introduces her eerie, fantastical world to a new audience
The venerable tradition of copying out recipes in household books lives on in the most unexpected places
Will the glittering new arts complex bring about a ‘Bilbao effect’ in the southern French city?
Georgina Adam and Andrew Russeth wonder if changing circumstances might not suit bricks-and-mortar galleries down to the ground
The actor offered her services as a life model to the painter when she was 19. One can only wonder that she got away so lightly
Plus: John Booth appointed chair of the National Gallery in London and more stories
Lucy and Catherine Madox Brown studied with their father and had close connections to the Pre-Raphaelites – but their achievements have been overlooked until now
Say it quietly, but this year’s edition of the contemporary art fair is shaping up to look refreshingly normal
The Chicago art scene turns out to be a suitably chilling setting for Nia DaCosta’s sequel to the cult horror film
The South African painter and collage artist discusses his enduring passion for jazz music
The painter can’t listen to music when she works because she can’t get the songs out of her head – so it’s baseball on the radio instead
Frustrated that memories of more hopeful times are fading, the artist Intissar Belaid is determined to preserve what she can
The director’s sale of unseen footage from ‘In the Mood for Love’ reminds us that the Hong Kong of his films is fast disappearing
Rosemary Hill’s nimble survey shows how 19th-century antiquarians paved the way for modern historians
The film noir starring Humphrey Bogart is back in cinemas – but the confusion over what happened to the statuettes of the falcon remains to be cleared up
Plus: Christophe Leribault appointed director of the Musée d’Orsay; and more stories