Ai Weiwei: ‘It is so positive to be poor as a child. You understand how vulnerable our humanity can be’

From living in a dugout in Little Siberia to his friendship with Allen Ginsberg in New York, artist and activist Ai Weiwei reveals what drives his restless creativity

Franz Kafka drawings reveal ‘sunny’ side to bleak Bohemian novelist

Surreal drawings by author of The Trial – which he demanded be burnt after his death – to be published

Greek Myths: A New Retelling by Charlotte Higgins review – gloriously interwoven tales

The classical stories of eight weaving women are depicted on their looms’ warp and weft in this thoughtful, dazzlingly illustrated collection

‘Joyously subversive sex goddesses’: the artists who gave witches a spellbinding makeover

Thousands of women were slain after being accused of witchcraft. Don’t they deserve more than the evil cackling hag stereotype? A powerful new book blows away the satanic baby-eating myths

1,000 Years of Joys and Sorrows by Ai Weiwei review – a life of dissent

The artist’s memoir reveals a rebellious spirit, inherited from his persecuted poet father, which sustained him through detention by Chinese authorities

How our art critic ended up in the Beano: The Art of Breaking the Rules – review

From Viz to the fourth plinth to David Bowie, the perennially upstart comic’s influence rampages on – and even our own Adrian Searle can’t get off scot-free

Succeeding Succession: books, games, music and more about the ultra rich

As Succession returns to our screens, Guardian critics offer artists’ varied takes on the seductive and corruptive nature of excessive riches

He’s a poet and the FBI know it: how John Giorno’s Dial-a-Poem alarmed the Feds

After receiving hundreds of thousands of calls, the poet’s project almost broke the New York telephone exchange – leading to an FBI investigation. Will it cause similar chaos in the Instapoet era?

The big idea: Is the era of the skyscraper over?

Has the pandemic put an end to the age of cities competing for ever taller buildings? Oliver Wainwright discusses the staying power of the high rise

On my radar: Courttia Newland’s cultural highlights

The novelist and playwright on Thundercat’s bass genius, an insight-filled black history exhibition and the colourful ceramics of Lubna Chowdhary

Enniskillen mounts Oscar Wilde tribute with flight of gold-leaf swallows

Installation inspired by The Happy Prince will be accompanied by similar celebration of Samuel Beckett, who like Wilde was educated in the town

Upping the Dante: Wayne McGregor and Tacita Dean’s Divine Comedy dance

The choreographer and artist discuss creating The Dante Project for the Royal Ballet – and their own visions of heaven and hell

Getting over a breakup? Critics pick music, books, games and more to help

Heartbreak is the ailment, could culture be the cure? Our critics’ suggestions to help ease your pain – or channel your angst

Mid-Century Britain by Elain Harwood; Sandfuture by Justin Beal review – re-evaluating postwar architecture

Two insightful books defend the architecture of the mid-20th century and the reputation of the man whose two most famous buildings were destroyed on TV

The Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica graphic short story prize 2021 – enter now!

The annual award for aspiring cartoonists offers the chance to be published in the Observer and win a cheque for £1,000, with past winners going on to land film and book deals