Samurai erotica, a metal-and-flesh sculptor and Jenny Holzer’s big glow-up – the week in art

2026-01-30 - 12:15

The secret side of Japan’s warrior class, Holzer lights up Scunthorpe, Julia Phillips steels herself and Quentin Blake takes off in Dorset – all in your weekly dispatch Samurai A tremendous, awe-inspiring journey into Japan’s past, with samurai armour so sublimely crafted it seems darkly alive, as well as exquisite landscapes, erotica and other arts that delighted the samurai between battles. Read the review here. • The British Museum, London, from 3 February to 4 May Continue reading...