Dalí in a diving helmet: how the Spaniard almost suffocated bringing surrealism to Britain

Eighty years ago, as Dylan Thomas served boiled string, Salvador Dalí put on a diving suit, grabbed a billiard cue – and changed British art for ever. Can new exhibition Surreal Encounters recapture that spirit?

What objects of desire UHNWIs around the world are buying

Investments of passion performance and global luxury spending trends. Luxury is getting a makeover, all at the speed of social media. The consumer of “luxury” is increasingly digitally-savvy, time-sensitive, socially aware, and more and more concerned about sustainability. The industry surpassed €1 trillion in retail sales value in 2015 and delivered healthy growth of 5% … Read more

The most unmissable culture of 2016

Tarantino goes bounty-hunting, Botticelli takes you to hell, Bowie goes dark, and Jericho fills that Downton-shaped hole … in our bumper guide to the best 150 arts events to look forward to this year

The £30m bookshelf: Pierre Bergé and the greatest stories ever sold

With Impressionists on their walls and priceless books on their shelves, Pierre Bergé and his former partner Yves Saint Laurent were the ultimate collectors. But now the art and YSL have gone, Bergé says it’s time ‘to attend the funeral’ of his library

Meet the Turner prize shortlist, from the musician to the mind-reader

Architecture, opera, fashion, parapsychology … this year’s contenders are taking contemporary art into exciting new territory. We sent our experts to meet the artists on the shortlist

Body building: welcome to Beyoncé towers

Queen Bey’s curves have inspired a new skyscraper. But it’s by no means the only superstar-shaped building out there