The best art events to enjoy this August

From comedy in Edinburgh to a canine-curated exhibition, there’s plenty to enjoy this month.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

'Guru Dudu Silent Disco Walking Tours', Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland | © David Monteith-Hodge / Courtesy of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

The renowned arts festival brings together comedy, theatre and dance, with highlights including Tallulah Brown’s new drama When the Birds Come and stand-up from Eddie Izzard.

Various venues

2–26 August

edfringe.com

Magdalene Odundo: The Journey of Things

Ceramic artist Magdalene Odundo presents a major exhibition, bringing together her own pieces alongside objects from 3,000 years of history, from ancient Greek vessels to modernist sculptures. Odundo’s largest work, made up of 1,001 suspended glass pieces, is also on display. 

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich

3 August–15 December 

scva.ac.uk

Dóra Maurer

Dóra Maurer Relative Quasi Image 1996 © Dóra Maurer Photo: Vintage Galéria / András Bozsó

The first UK exhibition for the Hungarian artist spans her diverse output, from graphic works, film, photography and painting to her activities as an educator and curator.

Tate Modern

5 August 2019–5 July 2020

tate.org

Dog Show

Martin Creed, Work No. 670, Orson and Sparky, 2007, © Martin Creed. All Rights Reserved, DACS/Artimage 2019

This unusual exhibition promises works of art selected by our canine companions (who live with the artists and curators), featuring pieces by the likes of David Shrigley, Martin Creed, Lucian Freud and more. 

Southwark Park Galleries, London

Until 8 September

southwarkparkgalleries.org

John Akomfrah: Ballasts of Memory

John Akomfrah Precarity , 2017. © Smoking Dogs Films; Courtesy Lisson Gallery

This exhibition brings together a selection of the artist’s existing film works, including the European premier of Precarity, which tells the story of African-American cornetist Charles “Buddy” Bolden, who was a key figure in the development of jazz music.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead

Until 27 October

baltic.art