Art exhibitions on now in London: May 2024 and June 2024

So many vibrant art exhibitions have opened in London this spring, with many more to come in May and June 2024. This post is a guide through the highlights of free exhibitions in London, as well as current art exhibitions at museums like the National Gallery, V&A and Tate. Read on to find the must-see art exhibitions as well as hidden gems.

Free art exhibitions in London: Spring 2024

There are always loads of free exhibitions on at commercial galleries in London. I use ArtRabbit to find out what’s on, and here are some that caught my eye.

Yinka Shonibare

Serpentine Galleries | April 12 to September 1

After the Barbara Kruger closes, Serpentine will still be bustling with an exhibition of Yinka Shonibare’s whimsical and sinister artworks and installations that playfully question the history of colonialism.

Alvaro Barrington

Tate Britain Commission | 29 May 2024 – 10 November

Barrington has been commissioned for the Tate Britain’s annual installation in the central hall. Not many details have been released about his work yet, but he works from a multicultural perspective between the Carribean and New York, and has investigated links between London modernists and the Harlem Renaissance. He is primarily a painter, so it will be interesting to see what he does to fill the space.

Judy Chicago: Revelations

Serpentine Galleries | May 22 to September 1

Chicago’s drawings, studies and notebooks will be on display at the Serpentine, giving an insight into her thoughts while developing her iconic feminist artworks.

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Last chance: London exhibitions closing soon

Tara Donovan, UNTITLED (MYLAR), 2011/2018 Photo: Christopher Burke. Courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery.

When Forms Come Alive

The Hayward Gallery, February 7 to May 6

The Hayward continues its reputation for stand-out contemporary group shows with this exploration of organic sculptures. Promising to be all things weird and wonderful, I can’t wait to see the sculptures of Ruth Asawa and Franz West.

Zineb Sedira, Installation view from Dreams Have No Titles at the Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Berlin, 2023, © Mathieu Carmona © DACS, London.

Zineb Sedira: Dreams Have No Titles

Whitechapel Gallery, February 15 to May 12

Whitechapel Gallery introduces Zineb Sedira’s acclaimed exhibition, Dreams Have No Titles, making its UK debut after its initial presentation at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022. This immersive installation, spanning film, sculpture, photography, and performance, intricately weaves Sedira’s biography with activist films from the 1960s and 1970s in France, Algeria, and Italy—a pivotal era in avant-garde film production. Sedira transforms the gallery space into film sets, featuring iconic scenes like a ballroom from Ettore Scola’s Le Bal (1983) and a recreation of her Brixton home. The exhibition blurs the lines between fiction and reality, emphasising the significance of collective shared experiences through cinema and performance, while also issuing a cautionary note about the unfulfilled promise of the emancipatory dream.

Untitled (Painter) by Kerry James Marshall, 2009. Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Katherine S. Schamberg by exchange, 2009. Photo: Nathan Keay, MCA Chicago

The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure

National Portrait Gallery, February 22 to May 19

Curated by Ekow Eshun, the exhibition spotlights contemporary artists from the African diaspora, such as Michael Armitage, Lubaina Himid, and Kerry James Marshall. Emphasizing the use of figures to depict the richness and complexity of Black life, it explores both the presence and absence of the Black figure in Western art history. The works, including those by Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Toyin Ojih Odutola, narrate a compelling story of representation within social, psychological, and cultural contexts.

Ekow Eshun’s exhibition ‘In the Black Fantastic’ at the Hayward Gallery a few years ago was one of my favourite shows I’ve seen and very well critically acclaimed. I have high hopes for this one.

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Current art exhibitions in London: May and June 2024

Courtesy Teresa Margolles

Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art

Barbican, February 14 to May 26

Another exhibition that feels perfectly aimed at me, the Barbican’s look at textiles and social commentary will feature 50 artists who critique war, gender politics, imperialism, and injustice. I am particularly excited to see Faith Ringgold’s work in person again, as her story quilts are some of the most powerful works I’ve seen.

John Singer Sargent, Lady Helen Vincent, Viscountess d'Abernon, 1904. Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama; Museum purchase with funds provided by John Bohorfoush, the 1984 Museum Dinner and Ball, and the Museum Store. Photo: Sean Pathasema

Sargent and Fashion

Tate Britain, February 22 to July 2

Step into the world of John Singer Sargent, renowned for his captivating portrait paintings, as this exhibition unveils a fresh perspective on his acclaimed body of work. Delving into his role as a stylist, the showcase illuminates Sargent's close relationships with his subjects and how he crafted their images. The exhibition underscores Sargent's innovative use of fashion as a potent tool for expressing identity and personality, with almost 60 of his rarely-traveled paintings on display. From manipulating outfits to daring sartorial choices, Sargent's artistic vision comes alive, creating timeless portraits that continue to captivate contemporary audiences.

Self-portrait of the Artist hesitating between the Arts of Music and Painting, 1794. Oil on canvas. 147.3 x 215.9 cm. Nostell Priory © National Trust Images/John Hammond

Angelica Kauffman

Royal Academy, March 1 to June 30

Embark on a captivating journey through the life and artistry of Angelica Kauffman RA, an acclaimed 18th-century painter. From her early days as a prodigious talent to becoming one of Europe's most sought-after artists, Kauffman's impact on European art is explored in this expansive exhibition. Renowned for celebrity portraits and innovative history paintings, she reshaped the artistic landscape by focusing on female protagonists from classical history and mythology. The exhibition unveils Kauffman's rise to fame in London, her pivotal role as a founding member of the Royal Academy, and her later career in Rome. Marvel at her masterpieces, including self-portraits, iconic ceiling paintings, and captivating historical depictions.

Image: Hurvin Anderson, Limestone Wall, 2020. © Hurvin Anderson. Courtesy the artist and Thomas Dane Gallery. Photo: Richard Ivey.

Soulscapes

Dulwich Picture Gallery, February 14 to June 24

I feel like I say this here all the time, but the Dulwich Picture Gallery seems to always get it right. Every theme they address seems perfectly pitched and fascinating to me, and this is no exception.

Soulscapes seeks to expand the definition of landscape art, showcasing work from over 30 contemporary artists across various media. Including Hurvin Anderson, Isaac Julien, Njideka Akunyili Crosby and many more, this exhibition explores the point of view of the African diaspora on our connection with the earth.

Courtesy of the British Museum

Legion: Life in the Roman Army

British Museum, February 1 to June 21

An exhibition for those whose Roman Empire is the Roman Empire…

Find out about life in the Roman army from the perspective of ordinary soldiers who served in it. The exhibition aims to be personal but reflective on the power and expanse of the empire, and how these soldiers enabled it.

Study for the Last Judgement, Courtesy of the British Museum

Michelangelo: The Last Decades

British Museum, May 2 to July 28

In 1534, Michelangelo made a pivotal move from Florence to Rome, embarking on a transformative chapter that would redefine his artistic journey and personal life. This exhibition delves into the last three decades of Michelangelo's illustrious career, ignited by his return to Rome under Pope Clement VII's commission to paint the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Amidst new commissions and reunions with close companions, Michelangelo's unwavering Christian faith and quest for redemption spurred him to create some of his most profound masterpieces. Featuring powerful preparatory drawings for the Last Judgment and the recently restored Epifania, alongside architectural sketches and personal writings, the exhibition showcases Michelangelo's enduring vitality and relentless pursuit of artistic innovation in the face of mortality.

(l) [DETAIL] Sadness (Ellen Terry), 1864 by Julia Margaret Cameron, Albumen silver print, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 84.XZ.186.52;

(r) Polka Dots #5, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976 by Francesca Woodman, Gelatin silver print, courtesy Woodman Family Foundation © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London

Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream in

National Portrait Gallery, March 21 to June 16

Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron, separated by a century and continents, stand as two influential women in the history of photography. Cameron's lens captured moments in the UK and Sri Lanka during the 1860s, while Woodman, a creative force in the 1970s, expressed her vision in America and Italy. Beyond documenting appearances, both artists delved into portraiture, infusing their work with creativity and imagination, telling symbolic stories beyond the surface of the sitter. Featuring over 160 rare vintage prints, the exhibition spans the careers of these two remarkable women, offering fresh perspectives on their contributions and the evolution of photographic portraiture across the 19th and 20th centuries.

Creator: Niizuma. Copyright: Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono, Music of the Mind

Tate Modern, February 15 to September 1

Explore seven decades of Yoko Ono's influential career in conceptual and performance art, film, and music. The exhibition focuses on key moments, including her impactful years in London and her meeting with John Lennon. Discover iconic artworks like Cut Piece and the banned Film No.4 (Bottoms), along with activist projects like PEACE is POWER and Wish Tree. Yoko Ono invites participation through her imaginative instructions and event scores, creating a profound and engaging encounter with her art.

Kandinsky, Cossacks, 1910-1911, Courtesy of the Tate.

Expressionists: Kandinksy, Munter and the Blue Rider

Tate Modern, April 25 to October 20

Explore the art of The Blue Rider, a tight-knit collective of innovative artists who reshaped modern art in the early 20th century. Led by Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter, this diverse group united in their quest to redefine artistic expression through vibrant experimentation with colour, sound, and light. Expressionists invites you to delve into the intimate friendships and individual creative journeys that defined The Blue Rider movement, from Franz Marc's exploration of colour to Alexander Sacharoff's captivating performances. With a spotlight on the pivotal role of women artists like Gabriele Münter and Marianne Werefkin, the exhibition showcases a captivating array of masterpieces spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and performance. Thanks to a collaboration with Lenbachhaus, Munich, Tate presents over 130 works from The Blue Rider collective, offering a rare opportunity to experience their groundbreaking art in the UK for the first time in over six decades.

Angelica Kauffman, R.A, Colour 1778-80

©Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: John Hammond

Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920

Tate Britain, May 16 to October 13

Across 400 years, this exhibition traces the journey of women striving to establish themselves as professional artists. From the Tudor era to World War I, figures like Mary Beale, Angelica Kauffman, Elizabeth Butler, and Laura Knight forged new paths, challenging societal norms and pursuing commercial careers in art. With over 150 artworks, the exhibition challenges stereotypes, revealing how these trailblazing artists defied expectations and tackled traditionally male subjects like history painting and the nude. By advocating for equal access to art training and academy membership, they shattered barriers and redefined the role of women in the art world.

Zanele Muholi, Manzi I, West Coast, Cape Town, 2022.

Courtesy the artist and Yancey Richardson Gallery © Zanele Muholi

Zanele Muholi

Tate Modern, June 6 to January 26, 2025

Zanele Muholi, a celebrated photographer, is renowned for their powerful activism through visuals. Their exhibition showcases over 260 photographs, offering a comprehensive overview of Muholi's career. Through series like "Only Half the Picture" and "Faces and Phases," Muholi documents and celebrates the lives of South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community, challenging societal norms and advocating for equality. The exhibition, originally presented at Tate Modern in 2020-21, features new works created by Muholi since then, offering a fresh perspective on their impactful and thought-provoking artistry.

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