Art & DesignWhy urban sketching retreats are taking offMany travellers snap pictures during their trips, but others find that slowing down to illustrate a place helps them appreciate it in a more meaningful way.See moreLatest headlinesAardman unveils new Wallace and Gromit trail11 hrs agoBristolDuct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m in NYC23 hrs agoWorld'A photo of us is now at the Tate - it's surreal'23 hrs agoLondonThe hidden meanings in a 16th-Century female sketch2 days agoCultureHow art saved actor from 'paralysing' depression2 days agoLondonFeaturesA fresh examination of Surrealism, a century on Dismissed by some as unserious or silly, Surrealist art was in fact largely born out of the brutal trauma of living under fascism, as these five striking works reveal.12 Nov 2024CultureThe climate warnings in 19th-Century paintingsA new exhibition examines how artists began portraying the damage of industrialisation.9 Nov 2024CultureEight vintage photos of the quirkiest US groupsCelebrating "the joy of being together", here are group portraits – taken by photographer Neal Slavin between 1972 and 1991 – that show both togetherness and peculiarity in US life.5 Nov 2024CultureHow Maasai people were reunited with precious heirloomsThe return of stolen objects is helping Maasai people to rediscover community bonds lost generations ago.1 Nov 2024FutureInside eight of the best fashion designers' homesEach of these remarkable interiors reflects its creative owner's unique vision – from a British bohemian-lady-of-the-manor style to a 14th-Century Florentine palazzo.22 Oct 2024Culture'Dirt doesn't burn': The people rebuilding their homes with earthThese people are rebuilding homes lost to wildfires in the western US – only this time they are using a material that they hope won't burn.22 Oct 2024FutureWatchA look inside Michelangelo's 'secret room'The BBC gets access to Michelangelo's 'secret hiding room' under the Medici Chapel in Florence.2 Nov 2024Art & DesignStriking images capturing the 'dark underbelly of America'Why legendary crime photographer Weegee offers a crucial lens to understand the American psyche.16 Oct 2024Art & DesignHow a mythical symbol is inspiring Turkish artistsThe Shahmaran, or "ruler of the snakes", is a mythical figure that is popular in Turkish folklore and seen by some as a good luck symbol.12 Jul 2024Art & DesignThe hidden world behind Claude Monet's artFind out how the rich culture of Normandy in Northern France inspired one of the world's greatest artists.29 Jun 2024Art & DesignThe Lebanese artist championing vegan silkArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a modern designer's take on Doha's Museum of Islamic Art's collection.20 Dec 2023Art & DesignWhat do we mean when we talk about 'Islamic art'?Art critic Alastair Sooke travels to Doha to discover some of the treasures of the Museum of Islamic Art.19 Dec 2023Art & DesignThe Doha Hind: The charming 10th-Century garden ornamentArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a decorative 10th-Century treasure at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.19 Dec 2023Art & DesignBlue Quran: A rare 1,000-year-old masterpieceArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a masterpiece of the Islamic world at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.19 Dec 2023Art & DesignTaiwan's last cinema poster painterPartially blind, he vows to continue until he can no longer see.9 Nov 2023ArtOtherworldly photos of an Arctic cityPhotographer Elena Chernyshova explores what it’s like to live in a city 400km north of the Arctic Circle.9 Nov 2023Art & DesignThe renegade artists of a lawless desert townDeep in the Sonoran Desert, an off-grid community are creating art in 'the last free place in America'.9 Nov 2023Art & DesignThe beautiful homes made from bambooCould bamboo be the future of sustainable architecture?9 Nov 2023Art & DesignThe dark history of Comuna 13Comuna 13 is a thriving hub of graffiti artists, music and culture. But it hasn't always been this way.9 Nov 2023Art & Design60 years of African American life in picturesIconic photographer Frank Stewart captured key moments in history: from Fidel Castro the to the stars of jazz.9 Nov 2023Art & DesignThe naked portrait covered up for centuriesArtemisia Gentileschi: Revealing the true beauty of a censored painting.3 Nov 2023ArtShould we all live in '15-minute cities'?We explore a different model of city life, where everything is on your doorstep.20 Jul 2023DesignWhat’s behind Mona Lisa’s indescribable smile?Art critics explain why people see Mona Lisa’s smile in different ways.19 May 2023ArtChromophobia: Who stole the colour from classical art?The way we see ancient Greek and Roman sculpture isn't actually the way it was first created.6 Sep 2022ArtThe world's oldest tattoo parlourThe Razzouk family are tattoo artists whose history of inking Christian pilgrims stretches back over 700 years.10 Jun 2022ArtInside the stunning 'new Athens' of Central EuropeJože Plečnik transformed the city of Ljubljana into a 'Slovenian Acropolis'.16 Mar 2022DesignLatest in art and design4 days ago'Art helps me deal with my cancer diagnosis'Artwork created by patient Wendy Brookfield inspire an exhibition at a Shropshire hospice. 4 days agoShropshire4 days agoHistoric barracks to host 'living parade' The artwork is part of a project called Living Barracks which aims to find new uses for the site.4 days agoTyne4 days agoSilent auction marks art charity's 40th birthdayArtists with learning disabilities are donating their work to be sold in the silent auction.4 days agoSurrey4 days agoSearch for boys featured in Tate exhibition photosIngrid Pollard took pictures of pupils at Tulse Hill School in 1989, shortly before it closed.4 days agoEngland5 days agoArt Deco cinema to be reinvigorated with artNew artwork could see "drab and neglected" parts of Luton uplifted, a council says.5 days agoBeds, Herts & Bucks6 days agoGallery showcases dementia-inspired artConnor Daly will be selling prints of his artwork with all proceeds going to Dementia Jersey.6 days agoJersey6 days agoArtist fights winter darkness with Arctic artAn exhibition of the work, entitled Arktisk – Norwegian for Arctic – opens on Wednesday.6 days agoEngland7 days agoOwl sculpture disappears weeks after being installedThe missing sculpture is believed to have been taken from outside a church in Calne, Wiltshire.7 days agoWiltshire13 Nov 2024British Museum to receive most valuable gift everNearly 2,000 Chinese ceramics worth £1bn are to be donated to the institution by a charitable foundation.13 Nov 2024London
