Exhibition of the week
Giacometti
The sculptor who started as a surrealist, then turned to compassionate portrayals of the isolated human figure after the second world war, is one of the 20th century’s defining artists.
• Tate Modern, London, 10 May–10 September
Also showing
Bruce Conner
A Movie, an assemblage of film clips put together in 1958, is one of the first American art films, and another rediscovered work by the Rauschenberg of the west coast.
• Thomas Dane Gallery, London, 6 May–4 July
Where the Thunderbird Lives
An exploration of the superb mythological art, from 600 BC to the present day, by the indigenous peoples of America’s Pacific northwest.
• British Museum, London, until 27 August
Kazem Hakimi
Oxford residents pose in front of Hakimi’s fish-and-chip shop in this photographic survey of another side of the student city.
• Modern Art Oxford, until 2 July
Anthony Caro
Elegant sculptures and delicate wall-mounted works made of paper by an artist famous for welding metal.
• New Art Centre, Salisbury, 6 May–2 July
Masterpiece of the week
The Swimming Reindeer, stone age Europe, 11,000 BC
This flowing, expressive carving of two reindeer crossing a river is a prehistoric marvel. It is acutely observed from nature in a way that sensually transports us 13,000 years into the past to see the late ice-age landscape through a hunter’s keen eyes.
• British Museum, London.
Image of the week
An image of refugees by Richard Mosse, taken with a heat-mapping camera. The Irish artist was awarded the Prix Pictet photography prize this week by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. “His application of state-of-the-art technology to the most urgent and contested issue of our turbulent times makes him very much the photographic artist of the moment,” wrote the Guardian’s Sean O’Hagan in a review of the Prix Pictet show.
What we learned this week
Adrian also reviewed the new London show from controversial digital artist Jordan Wolfson
Cornelia Parker has been named the official artist of the 2017 general election ...
... so we looked back at those who have taken the role before
We spoke to Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Thani about his new Islamic art museum in New York
Jordan Riefe looked back at the work of photography Larry Sultan
We met Stephen Wiltshire, the artist who draws cities from memory
The Observer’s Laura Cumming reviewed new work from Chris Ofili and Mat Collishaw
You shared your photos on the topic of decay – here are the highlights
Wax heads of Lord Nelson and William Pitt the Younger have been 3D scanned
Ewen Spencer documented the exploding vogueing scene in Europe
Get involved
Our A-Z of Readers’ Art series continues – please submit your artworks on the theme of S is for Spray Paint.
Guardian members can book now for an exclusive private view: True Faith, a group show exploring the impact of Joy Division and New Order on the art world, part of Manchester international festival.
Don’t forget
To follow us on Twitter: @GdnArtandDesign
