Kayaking and Herbal Infusions with Alys Fowler at Ikon Gallery.
Take on a floating adventure aboard kayaks with artists Ming De Nasty and Sarah Wilson as they lead you on a kayak tour alongside infamous local horticulturist and writer Alys Fowler. Starting at Roundhouse Birmingham, experience Birmingham’s historic canals up close on this tour and explore the hidden bounties of nature hidden within the city heights. Herbal teas and foraged food will also be available.
Sat 25 Aug at Roundhouse Birmingham, 102 Vincent St, Birmingham, B16 8EB. Slots: 9.30-11am, 12-2pm and 2.30-4.30pm. Booking essential at least 2 hours before slot. £20. www.ikon-gallery.org

Within and Without at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Exploring the construct of body image through art, the BMAG’s current exhibition illustrates how perceptions of our physical selves have been heavily affected by society’s ever-changing standards. With contemporary culture saturated to spilling point with social media and pornography, this exhibition includes wooden sculpture, installation and pop art to look at race, gender, religion and sexuality and create a pertinent, cleverly curated exhibition which manages to pull sharp focus on how the concept of body image has changed throughout time.
Ongoing – Fri 1 Feb 2019 at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH. Open daily 10am-5pm except Fri, 10.30am-5pm. Free. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Mahtab Hussain at New Art Gallery Walsall
Mahtab Hussain’s ‘Going back to where I come from’ explores a stunning set of photographs by the artist which takes us on a magical journey to Kashmir, the place his parents once called home. Hussain’s photographs explore the topics of heritage and cultural difference, frequently touching on racial discrimination. Meeting members of his family for the first time ‘Going back to where I come from’ also explores migration and the disconnect between families. Hussain’s work is simply beautiful and by unpacking the themes of masculinity, identity, colonialism, migration and more, his photography contains a depth of experiences.
Ongoing – Sun 2 Sep at New Art Gallery Walsall, Gallery Sq, Walsall, WS2 8LG. Tue-Thu 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, closed Mon. Free. www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk

Francis Alys Knots and Dusts at Ikon
The exquisite video installation ‘Tornado’ is an immersive, stand-out part of this exhibition which begs to be experienced. Following Ikon’s Migrant Festival, Francis Alys continues to explore themes of migration an much like his previous works such as 1997’s ‘The Loop’, the Ikon show ‘Knots and Dusts’ grapples with relationships between hard work and its simple outcomes to beautiful, heartbreaking effect. The Belgian born, Mexican artist’s personal history is steeped with experiences of migration and Knots and Dusts reveals Alys’ long term fascination with Middle-Eastern current affairs and his travels to those regions.
Ongoing – Sun 9 Sep at Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Sq, Birmingham, Tues – Sun 11am-5pm, closed Mon. Free. www.ikon-gallery.org

The Singh Twins at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Back by popular demand The Singh Twins new exhibition ‘Slaves of Fashion’ boasts a collection of exciting new pieces that combine the traditional with the starkly modern as they pair their hand-painted style with digital imagery. Clashing the culmination of consumerism against racial identity and colonisation, themes of colonisation, hybridity and cultural identity abound as the Liverpool-born twins ‘Indian Miniature’ style reflects upon their experience as British women who also share an Indian heritage. Do not miss.
Ongoing – Sun 16 Sep at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield St, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU. Open daily 10.30am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free. www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk