Prized paintings, unburied treasures and murderous Millais the week in art

"John Moores painting prize Davina Jackson, Katy Shepherd and Joanna Whittle are among the painters shortlisted for this prize that was once won by a young David Hockney Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool from Saturday until 1 March 2026 Artists First: Contemporary Perspectives on Portraiture Today's artists, including Helen Cammock, Magorzata Mirga-Tas and Charmaine Watkiss, are inspired or provoked by the NPG's collection of historic British portraits."

"This photograph by Fatimazohra Serri is titled The Swing of Life. Her aim was to illustrate the deep connection between a woman and a man, a relationship shaped by care and burden, intimacy and distance. The man swings from the flowing black dress of the woman above him. The clothing becomes the bridge between the two figures, soft yet unbreakable. It's a visual metaphor for how men, knowingly or not, often rest on the invisible emotional strength of women."

Painters Davina Jackson, Katy Shepherd and Joanna Whittle are shortlisted for the John Moores painting prize, previously won by a young David Hockney. The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool hosts related exhibitions until 1 March 2026. 'Artists First: Contemporary Perspectives on Portraiture' at the National Portrait Gallery features Helen Cammock, Małgorzata Mirga-Tas and Charmaine Watkiss responding to historic British portraits (6 September to 3 August, Schroder Gallery). The Holburne in Bath presents Renaissance curiosities, from silver ships to Cranach paintings, from 10 September. Santiago Yahuarcani portrays Uitoto history on Amazonian bark cloth at The Whitworth until 4 January. 'The Sun Feeds the Wind' examines Hastings' fishing community at Hastings Contemporary until 14 September. Fatimazohra Serri's photograph 'The Swing of Life' frames clothing as a bridge illustrating emotional labour and intimacy. Other highlights include a newly discovered portrait possibly depicting Shakespeare's 'fair youth', Stirling prize architecture entries, and new museum spaces for Somali heritage.

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