Alexander Litvinenko

This painting by Dmitry Vrubel and Viktoria Timofeyeva on display in the Marat Guelman gallery, Moscow, in 2007 depicts Alexander Litvinenko on his deathbed in London in 2006, suffering from radiation poisoning by polonium-210. Sir Robert Owen's long-awaited inquiry found that he was poisoned by Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun in the Pine Bar of London's Millennium Hotel. They left a trail of polonium-210 behind them. "His murder was 'probably' approved by President Vladimir Putin" (CLICK).

Galaxy Quest

Galaxy Quest (1999) is a terrific send up of Star Trek conventions. It stars the late and much lamented Alan Rickman with Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver. Aliens have been watching terrestrial TV show Galaxy Quest and wrongly think it is reality. "Never give in. Never surrender." That's when the fun begins (CLICK)

Rattle That Lock

David Gilmour's latest record Rattle That Lock has won Art Vinyl's annual prize for the year's best album artwork, selected from 50 entrants (CLICK).

Naked Protest

Here's another of those so-called "performance artists": Milo Moire. She stripped naked outside Cologne Cathedral to protest against the assaults against women on New Year's Eve. She holds a poster reading "Respect us! We are no fair game, even when we are naked!!!" (CLICK).

Death in Paradise

I must admit I'm still hooked on Death in Paradise, despite the loss of Ben Miller and sara Martins. It's so different from the BBC's usual dross. The new series begins this evening on BBC ONE at 9pm. Shown is Joséphine Jobert, who plays the glamour cop (CLICK).

Ski Posters

Christie’s in London will present its annual sale of ski posters on 21 January 2016. This is the only auction dedicated to ski posters worldwide. Prices start at £700. Shown is a Ski Poster by Hans Schilter from 1957, estimated at £2,000 - £3,000 (CLICK).

Giant Mao Zedong

This huge gold-painted statue of Mao Zedong - some 37 metres high - has been erected in Henan province by a group of Chinese capitalists at a cost of 3 million yuan ($460,000). It took 9 months to construct and was completed in December 2015. The fact that Moa's economic policies caused an estimated 40 million Chinese people to starve to death seems to have slipped their minds (CLICK).

FBA Futures 16

On 19 January the Mall Galleries opens FBA Futures 2016, a dip into the outstanding art graduates of 2015 selected from across the UK by members of the Federation of British Artists (FBA). Christopher Gray's Gold on Blue will set you back £3,800. Admission is free (CLICK).

Sherlock Holmes

Having watched mind-boggling sci-fi hokum Sherlock: The Abominable Bride on BBC ONE yesterday, starring Benedict Cumberbatch whisked back to 1895, all I can say is bring back Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr Watson (CLICK).

One Million Years

How's this for an ego trip? So-called "conceptual artist" On Kawara has installed this tripe in Trafalgar Square. Two performers in a glass booth read for seven days and seven nights Karawa's ten-volume work, "One Million Years". Where does the art come in?

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from London Art News.