Indian Artist, Delhi - Mahadaji Sindhia entertaining a British naval officer and military officer with a Nautch. Courtesy British Library
Indian Artist, Delhi - Mahadaji Sindhia entertaining a British naval officer and military officer with a Nautch. Courtesy British Library
Indian Artist, Delhi - Mahadaji Sindhia entertaining a British naval officer and military officer with a Nautch. Courtesy British Library
Indian Artist, Delhi - Mahadaji Sindhia entertaining a British naval officer and military officer with a Nautch. Courtesy British Library

Our top international art picks this week: the dark and troubled history of the British Empire

Plus: a new look at African design and how Tokyo influenced Yoko Ono.

  • English
  • Arabic

A design for an emerging African continent

An exhibition in Bilbao examines the emergence of modern design in Africa. Examples of furniture, fashion, architecture, film, urban planning, art, photography and more are on display. The exhibition does not seek to present a complete picture of design across the continent of 54 nations. But it forges a link to the middle of the 20th century when a younger generation celebrated the end of colonialism. Pieces from this time are shown alongside more recent works. Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design runs at the Guggenheim Bilbao until February 21. For more information visit www.guggenheim.org/bilbao

Yoko Ono’s relationship with her native city

Yoko Ono is forever associated with her marriage to John Lennon. But she was a talented artist in her own right, and this show places her firmly in the context of her native Tokyo. The exhibition attempts to reveal how her work connects avant-garde and popular culture. One of Ono's most respected works is Grapefruit, an important book of conceptual art published in 1964 after a long residency in Tokyo. The typewritten drafts for the work are on display here, along with a rare first edition. Yoko Ono: From My Window runs at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, Japan, until February 14. For more information visit www.mot-art-museum.jp

Dark past of the British Empire told through art

The British Empire's legacy of conquest, war and economic exploitation is still with us today – just look at the long and troubled path to an uneasy peace in Northern Ireland. An exhibition in London brings together a vast collection of works – maps, portraits, artworks, sculptures and artefacts – from the 16th century until today. Epic 19th century battles at Omdurman and Khartoum are recalled, along with artistic responses to the Indian rebellion of 1857. One of the more striking pieces is a collection of West African carvings of British colonial officers. Artist and Empire runs at Tate Britain until April 10. For more information visit www.tate.org.uk

The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

RESULT

Fifth ODI, at Headingley

England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Art