Five cultural events to kickstart your year

Discover everything from the history of cartoons to Grayson Perry’s early pots

Cartwn Cymru

From Jerry the Tyke, a cartoon dog predating Mickey Mouse, to the much-loved Super Ted, the Welsh animation industry has been responsible for some of the most popular animated characters on screen. This exhibition celebrates the history of the animation industry in Wales from its beginning almost a hundred years ago. 

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
Until 29 March

museum.wales

Theaster Gates: Amalgam

Theaster Gates, Installation view of Amalgam at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, 20 Feb – 12 May 2019, © Theaster Gates and courtesy of the artist. Photo: Chris Strong

The first UK solo exhibition of American artist Theaster Gates, whose work – a mix of sculpture, film and music – explores issues of race, territory and inequality in the United States.

Tate Liverpool
Until 3 May

tate.org.uk/liverpool

Illuminating the Self

In a joint project, artist Susan Aldworth and a team of neuroscientists, engineers and clinicians from the Newcastle University CANDO project (Controlling Abnormal Network Dynamics using Optogenetics) explores the experiences of people living with epilepsy through art.  

Hatton Gallery, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
18 January–9 May

hattongallery.org.uk

Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years

Grayson Perry, Cocktail Party, 1989, Collection of the artist © Grayson Perry. Images courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro, London/Venice. Photography Stephen White

Get to grips with Grayson Perry’s playful and witty commentary on art history and thoroughly British sensibilities in this exhibition of his earliest work. It includes no fewer than 70 pieces, crowd-sourced from across the UK, thanks to a public appeal. 

The Holburne Museum, Bath
24 January–25 May 

holburne.org

Connect – The Independent Art Fair

Rupert Shephard, The District Line, 1975

Connect – The Independent Art Fair will be held at the Mall Galleries for the second time. Thirty-two dealers will show a variety of styles, from traditional 16th-century to 20th-century schools and current contemporary. Good­ vetted quality at sensible prices. Free entry for Arts Society Members. 

Mall Galleries, London
30 January–2 February 

connectartfair.co.uk