Billy Childish, who was closely associated with the Young British Artists, but always asserted his independence, has used thick paint to capture his mother in his latest portrait (pictured). He is not alone in using his mum as inspiration for his work – there is a long tradition of artists, including Lucian Freud and David Hockney, painting or photographing their mums.

After 14 years the music festival where stars and audience mingle in a holiday camp is to close

Kate Moss may have the world's most valuable tattoos. The model has revealed that two swallows on her back were inked by the late Lucien Freud, whose paintings command millions of pounds.

Louis Vuitton's dotty collaboration with Yayoi Kusama combines the best of both the luxury brand and the eccentric artist

Tributes have been paid to a 15-year-old schoolboy who died after collapsing on a rugby pitch.

Christmas books of the year

The British sculptor Richard Trupp, 38, a protégé of Sir Anthony Caro, is exhibiting two gravity-defying sculptures. They are part of a group show, Sculpture Al Fresco, in the historical grounds of the Great Fosters hotel in Surrey.

So far, they have created Hell, defaced Goya and painted with Hitler

Art collectors can pick up a bargain in the contemporary art market next week – whilst also helping a great cause.

It's a gloomy world that Rachel Kneebone has created at White Cube. The walls are painted in shades of grey, dark and brooding in the downstairs gallery and paler upstairs, the paint streaked in rain or tears. Kneebone makes extremely complex, delicate porcelain sculptures that teem with confusing, writhing tiny body parts arranged like urns or wreaths: a leg here, a penis or vagina there, and twisting forms that look as though they could be vines or spinal chords. Pieces of bodies in a horrific jumble. The sculptures are at times hideous visions that present bodies in states of fear, sadness and horror.

The UK's most prestigious - and controversial - modern art award was launched today amid protests by photographers and artists alike.

It's August, school's out – but the sun might not be. There's a lot to see and do, but arts for children needn't be childish. Alice Jones and Miranda Kiek pick the best fare for the younger culture vulture

Want a funeral as spectacular as Malcolm McLaren's or Sebastian Horsley's? Lori MacKellar will make it happen.