Vive La Revolution

Poor old Saatchi. Did you read his rant over the weekend? the nub of it is that "being an art buyer these days is comprehensively and indisputably vulgar", the sport of "art dealers with masturbatory levels of self regard" reducing relentlessly exploited oligarchs to "jibbering gratitude". Luckily, if you're in the "great majority of gallery shows where dealers display art they hope someone will want to buy for their home", Saatchi comes over all warm and cuddly at the thought. It's a ridiculous notion, as if Nigella was reading over his shoulder, sweetening his bile, honeying his tableau of self-interest which yet delivers its salty sting with a swipe at the lack of coverage his latest show is inspiring in the art press.

We're delighted to provide the perfect antidote to such self-important mutterings. Here's our selection of highlights this week from across the UK, where you'll find researched expertise at Agnews with their exhibition of drawings from the 17th-19th centuries, catch the last weekend of fresh eyes on the pervasiveness of management culture at Gasworks, considered connections among British post-war artists at the Haunch of Venison, and reflective exploration of stunning works on paper by Graham Sutherland at Modern Art Oxford curated by painter of the moment George Shaw. There's much more besides on the full listing "coming up" here.      

Actually, we much prefer the sentiments of Britain's grand dame of the revolution, Vivienne Westwood: "Great art is always about asking yourself if things could be better". Taking a good long look at the landscape - cultural, economic, scientific - art points to a deeper analysis of value than the fripperies of self-interested trading can aspire to. Vive la revolution!