Art & DesignThe faux-historic mansions dividing opinionFrom faux Regency to mock Georgian, brand-new but period-style English country houses are increasingly popular in the UK, US and elsewhere. What is their appeal?See moreFeatures'Every museum in the world is stressing': What the rise in art heists means for visitorsA spate of audacious thefts has rocked European museums. Now, some institutions are rethinking what's worth displaying.Eight ingenious homes for wildlife around the worldFrom a bat home in the UK countryside to a multi-species refuge in the Catskills, here are eight cleverly designed wildlife havens.Scrimshaw: The controversial art form on the brink of extinctionAs Moby Dick turns 175, some of the last American scrimshanders grapple with the legacy of maintaining one of the US's oldest art forms.Penitent sinner or fiery saint? 10 paintings of Mary MagdaleneKnown as the "apostle to the apostles”, the controversial and multifaceted saint Mary Magdalene is shrouded in mythology and mystery. What do these artworks reveal about her?Stunning buildings 'blended' with natureHere are some of the world's best new buildings that are immersed in their wild surroundings.Why this banana was sold for $6m at an auction By sticking a banana to a wall with duct tape and calling it art, Maurizio Cattelan created one of the greatest cultural debates of recent times.Watch'I was told I had months to live. Now I've been born again'Tracey Emin, one of Britain's most uncompromising artists, reflects on survival and a renewed urgency to create.ArtThe Turkish masterpieces hidden in plain sight Find out how the ornate ceramics known as Iznik tiles hold the key to a forgotten golden age of Turkish art.Art & DesignInside Michelangelo's 'secret hiding room'The BBC gets access to Michelangelo's 'secret hiding room' under the Medici Chapel in Florence.Art & DesignStriking images capturing the 'dark underbelly of America'Why legendary crime photographer Weegee offers a crucial lens to understanding the American psyche.Art & DesignHow a mythical symbol inspires Turkish artistsThe 'Shahmaran', half-woman and half-snake, is a mythical figure popular in the folklore of Turkey. Art & 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.Art & DesignLatest in Art and Design14 hrs agoBritish Museum announces changes to ease Bayeux Tapestry queuesMeasures include extended opening hours, as well as an audio guide and additional seating for visitors.14 hrs ago19 hrs agoThe hidden daytime dance revolution - and the man who captured it on cameraTim Smith's shots of the early 'daytimers' bhangra scene in Bradford feature in a Tate exhibition.19 hrs ago20 hrs agoPainting which went unnoticed for 150 years found on back of mapThe watercolour on the back of a map gives a rare snapshot of the Dryburgh suspension bridge shortly after it opened.20 hrs ago22 hrs ago'I woke up one day in my 60s and decided to become an artist'Ed Sheeran's paintings inspire Suffolk charity fundraiser Gina Long to create her own exhibition.22 hrs ago22 hrs agoTeenage artist finds confidence in illustratingBethany's work is published after her talent was spotted by an author visiting her school.22 hrs ago1 day agoRamsey mural aims to 'elevate' famous Manx poetSituated in Parliament Street, the mural celebrates Josephine Kermode, known by her name the Cushag.1 day ago1 day agoTurner Prize workshops hope to inspire youngstersThousands of school children from across the Tees Valley visit Mima art gallery to be inspired.1 day ago2 days agoAnimals bring budding artists out of their shellsTortoises help a Sheffield group get to grips with drawing and painting live subjects.2 days ago3 days agoMajor art show starts UK tour in CoventryThe British Art Show 10 opens in Coventry, before heading around the UK on tour.3 days ago5 days agoRingo Starr's granddaughter launches exhibitionTatia Starkey tells the BBC she is trying to communicate the feelings inside her. 5 days ago5 days agoDavid Bowie's venue ban lifted for new exhibitionAn immersive exhibition exploring the life and work of David Bowie is set to open at Brighton Dome. 5 days ago5 days agoBangladeshi art spotlighted in 'world-first' projectThe Ashmolean Museum, in Oxford, say a new partnership will highlight artwork from Bangladesh.5 days ago7 days ago'All options' considered for Banksy's flag statueWestminster City Council says it is the statue's custodian and is responsible for its safety.7 days ago7 days agoCardboard tower sculpture toppled after wind hitsThe six-storey-high art installation was subject to "monumental jumping and squashing" after it fell.7 days ago8 days agoFavourite trees sought for Guernsey art projectPeople have been invited to share pictures of their favourite trees as part of a new art project.8 days ago...