SHOW OF THE WEEK: Puppet Show

This group exhibition at Eastside Projects Birmingham makes the brilliant comparison between puppets and the current government. I personally have a major hard on for all things Uncanny and this exhibition of odd semi-human imposters and impersonators with a satirical standpoint sounds incredible. Artists include huge names like Pierre Huyghe, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Geoffrey Farmer, and Brits like Simon Startling Simon Popper, Spartacus Chetwynd. Curators Tom Bloor and Céline Condorelli deserve an award for getting this quality of work to Birmingham full stop.

Until May 18

PRIVATE VIEW OF THE WEEK: Melanie Jackson: The Urpflanze (Part 2)

Everyone cant be bothered having openings over Easter – probably too busy searching for Easter Eggs - but Peckham’s Flat Time House are holding up the torch of cultural sociability with this solo show from Melanie Jackson. The exhibition explores transformation through film and ceramics taking Goethe’s concept of Urpflanze as a starting point. This is the second part of Jackson’s Urpflanze (what a word) shows and there’s a lot of promise here. (pic above)

Mar 27, 6-8pm, Flat Time House

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Oscar Murillo

London-based Columbian artist Oscar Murillo could not be hotter at the moment and there is substance behind the hype. His paintings brilliantly fuse dirt, text, oil and the detritus of performance parties. His current solo show opened at the increasingly brilliant Carlos Ishikawa last week and is worth going to the odd back lot off Mile End Road for the title alone ‘Dinner at the members club? Yes! I'll have a black americano first pls’.

Until May 11

ART LEGENDS OF THE WEEK: Souzou

There is a real dispute over the word ‘outsider’ to describe artists who make work that is not shown in the mainstream art world context. A bit patronising, ghettoising, limiting. This incredible show of Japanese ‘outsider’ art with 300 works by 46 Japanese individuals sidesteps with the title Souzou – a word to describe the fusion of creation and imagination. The Wellcome Collection is really using their power here – this is a once in a lifetime chance to see some works that will never make it back to the country.

Until June 30

ART BOOK OF THE WEEK: Tal R - ‘Mann Über Bord’

Tal R’s latest tome is a facsimile scrapbook. Each page collects together images as if pasted into a giant card paper sketchbook and the result is ideal for Tal R’s unique layered colourful lunacy. From photograph of Moonspoon Saloon performances to studio shots to Tal R’s ceramic and collages – this is one of those timeless gems that make you want to take scissors to paper and start your own version.

Published by Walter Koening