Autumn art exhibitions in London: September 2023 and October 2023

As the summer fades in London, one consolation is that the London art scene is just warming up. The autumn months of September and October mark a busy time in the art world in London, from iconic art fairs to blockbuster exhibition openings. This is a guide to the best art exhibitions in London in September 2023 and October 2023.

Frieze Art Fair descends on London from the 11-15 of October, bringing with it a flurry of gallery shows and rival art fairs.

Blockbuster art exhibitions open in London, such as the long-awaited Marina Abramović show at the Royal Academy and the Chanel exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Be sure to visit the last days of London’s summer art exhibitions, and then plan ahead for your autumn calendar. Start pencilling in your art dates — here are the best current exhibitions in London.

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Free art exhibitions in London Autumn 2023

How to find free art exhibitions in London

There are dozens of galleries in London that offer museum-quality free exhibitions, but with so much going on it can be hard to figure out what to see.

I like to use ArtRabbit, a platform that tracks exhibitions in London as well as events and fairs. You can search for current and upcoming exhibitions here and it’s a good way to see what’s coming up. Not everything is listed here, or sometimes not until right before, so I also recommend following London’s commercial galleries on social media to keep abreast of the upcoming exhibitions.

October is an especially exciting time for galleries as they participate in Frieze week, or stage important shows alongside it.

Here is a selection of free art shows on in London in Autumn 2023:

El Anatsui, Skylines?, 2008 Aluminium and copper wire, 300 x 825 cm© El Anatsui Private Collection Courtesy the Artist and October Gallery, London Photo © Jonathan Greet

El Anatsui, Hyundai Commission

Tate Modern Turbine Hall 10 October 2023 – 14 April 2024

The celebrated Ghanian artist will have free reign over the Turbine Hall this October. The vast space will be transformed with his sculptures, known for their cascading arrangements of found materials.

Christian Marclay, Doors

White Cube Masons Yard, 6 – 30 September 2023

Christian Marclay's latest video installation, "Doors (2022)" will be accompanied by a new series of sculptures. His meticulously edited film clips of opening and closing doors create an intricate montage, symbolising both a mental architecture and a sculptural experience for visitors.

Julie Mehretu

White Cube Bermondsey 15 September – 5 November 2023

Julie Mehretu, renowned for her intricate, politically-informed art, returns to White Cube's Bermondsey site for her fifth solo exhibition. The show features three new painting series, including works in ink and acrylic on canvas as well as on semi-translucent polyester mesh, tackling themes like the Ukraine war and the US Capitol insurrection.

Manu García: Juego

Beers London, 7 Sep 2023 – 14 Oct 2023

Spanish artist Manuel García's debut UK solo exhibition, 'Juego', at BEERS London in September, highlights his fascination with movement, with the Spanish word for play evoking a sense of allure and buoyancy, reflecting the captivating essence of his works.

Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: Free The Wind, The Spirit, and The Sun

Stephen Friedman Gallery, 6 Oct 2023 – 11 Nov 2023

Shonibare, one of the gallery's longest-standing artists since 1996, curates an exhibition featuring African and diasporic artists, many of whom were part of his residency program in Lagos, Nigeria. The show encompasses paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and works on paper, with the initial rooms paying homage to the dada movement's spirit of liberation. Shonibare's pieces challenge societal norms and Western interpretations, as seen in sculptures like 'Feeling Free Like a Bird' and the wind-inspired 'Wind Sculpture in Bronze (SG)'. The exhibition, driven by the desire for creative freedom, reflects the transformative impact of the African diaspora.

Frieze Sculpture

Regent’s Park, 20 September–29 October

The free sculpture exhibition is held in Regent’s Park alongside Frieze Art Fair. This year the event, directed by curator Fatoş Üstek, presents 22 international artists, including prominent names like Yinka Shonibare, Louise Nevelson, and Tomas Saraceno.

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Current art exhibitions in London September 2023 and October 2023

Costumes for Le Train Bleu, by Gabrielle Chanel, 1924. Museum no. S.837-1980. © CHANEL / Photo: Nicholas Alan Cope / Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto

V&A, 16 September 2023 – 25 February 2024

This exciting show delves into the life and work of the iconic fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel. The exhibition features a wide range of garments, accessories, and archival materials that trace the evolution of Chanel's designs and her influence on fashion. Visitors will have the opportunity to see some of her most iconic pieces such as the little black dress and the tweed suit, and learn about her innovative use of materials and new forms of fashion. The exhibition also explores Chanel's role as a feminist and businesswoman, and her impact on the fashion industry. The V&A’s fashion shows are always a knockout, and I expect that Chanel will sell out quickly.

Kiripi Katembo Avancer, Un regard series 2008-2013 Courtesy Kiripi Katembo Siku Foundation & MAGNIN-A Gallery, Paris

A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography

Tate Modern, 6 July 2023 – 14 January 2024

This exhibition will showcase the work of contemporary African photographers. The exhibition features a diverse range of photographs that explore themes of identity, community, and the human experience, providing a unique perspective on the continent's social and political realities. The exhibition aims to challenge stereotypes and present a nuanced view of Africa, highlighting the diversity and complexity of the continent. Visitors can expect to see works by a range of established and emerging photographers, including Zanele Muholi, Samuel Fosso and J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere.

Frans Hals, The Laughing Cavalier, Courtesy of the Wallace Collection

Frans Hals

The National Gallery, 30 Sep 2023 – 21 Jan 2024

Frans Hals's timeless portraits, painted four centuries ago, continue to exude vitality and charm. His innovative approach to portraiture, capturing relaxed and joyful sitters, established him as a sought-after artist of his era, earning him fame as Haarlem's renowned figure. This exhibition, the first major retrospective of Hals in over three decades, brings together around 50 of his finest works, including the iconic 'The Laughing Cavalier' on loan from the Wallace Collection.

David Hockney Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) 1972 YAGEO Foundation Collection, Taiwan copyright David Hockney

Capturing the Moment

Tate Modern, 15 June 2023 – 28 January 2024

This exhibition brings together significant works from the Tate collection and Yageo Foundation Collection to explore the dynamic relationship between contemporary painting and photography. The show spans the last 100 years and features 39 artists, including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Alice Neel, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Jeff Wall, Louise Lawler, Candida Höfer, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, Pauline Boty, Christina Quarles, and Rachel Owens. See how these modern painters and photographers grappled with, influenced, and merged with each other's mediums.

Marina Abramović. The House with the Ocean View. 2002 Courtesy Museum of Modern Art

Marina Abramović

Royal Academy, London, 23 Sept-10 Dec 2023

This retrospective exhibition showcases the work of the world-renowned performance artist. The exhibition features a wide range of Abramović's performance works, including her iconic pieces like "The Artist is Present" and "Rhythm O." Some will be restaged via archive materials, while others will be performed by trained performance artists in her method. Visitors can expect to experience her use of endurance, self-discovery and connection as core elements of her work. The exhibition also explores the themes of time, memory and the body in Abramović's work and how it has evolved over the years. Plagued by delays, the exhibition will finally open in September 2023.

Peter Paul Rubens, Venus, Mars and Cupid, c.1635, oil on canvas, 195.2 x 133 cm, courtesy Dulwich Picture Gallery

Rubens & Women

Dulwich Picture Gallery, 27 September 2023 – 28 January 2024

This exhibition explores the representation of women in the works of the Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. The exhibition features a selection of Rubens' paintings, drawings and prints, highlighting his skill in depicting the female form and exploring the themes of beauty, sensuality and power. The exhibition also examines Rubens' role as a patron and collector, and his relationships with the women in his life.

Sandwich, 2004-2020. Courtesy the artist and Sadie Coles HQ, London.© Sarah Lucas

Sarah Lucas

Tate Britain, 28th September 2023 – 14th January 2024

The exhibition features a wide range of Lucas' sculptures, installations, and photographs, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and the body. The exhibition also examines Lucas' use of everyday materials and her engagement with the traditions of modern sculpture.

Dorothy Gisborne (Pratt) as Psyche by Yevonde (1935) Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, London

Yevonde: Life and Colour

National Portrait Gallery, 22 June - 15 October 2023

This extraordinary showcase delves into the life and career of Yevonde, a trailblazing photographer who revolutionized the art of portrait photography through the innovative use of color in the 1930s. The exhibition presents a rich collection of portraits and still-life works spanning six decades, offering a glimpse into Yevonde's creative journey. Drawing from the Gallery's newly acquired archive of her work and extensive research, "Yevonde: Life and Colour" celebrates her artistic freedom and the lasting impact she left on the medium. Supported by The CHANEL Culture Fund and inspired by the mission of "Reframing Narratives: Women in Portraiture," this exhibition promises to enhance the representation of women in the art world while immersing visitors in the vibrant world of Yevonde's photography.

Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena, London 5 May 1988. © Photograph © David Corio

DIVA

V&A, Closes Sunday, 7 April 2024

This exceptional showcase pays tribute to the awe-inspiring power and creative brilliance of iconic performers, spanning from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibition boasts a rich collection of over 250 artifacts, artfully curated from the V&A's collection and loans from around the globe. Embracing fashion, photography, design, music, and live performance, DIVA unfolds the captivating stories of resilience and ambition from renowned divas, from opera legends to contemporary megastars.

Step back in time to explore the origins of the term 'diva,' evolving and embraced over generations. Delight in over 60 rare looks on display, featuring iconic costumes worn by legends like Maria Callas, Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, and more.

Philip Guston, Monument, 1976. © The Estate of Philip Guston

Philip Guston

Tate Modern, 5 October 2023 – 25 February 2024

Delving into the transformative 20th century, artist Philip Guston's compelling response to a tumultuous world is showcased in this exhibition. With over 50 years of prolific artistry, Guston's works captured the anxieties of his era. Transitioning from celebrated abstract painting in the 1950s and 1960s, he incorporated comic-like figures and symbolic elements to address racism and social upheaval, earning him a revered place among influential late 20th-century painters.

Pamela Singh, Chipko Tree Huggers of the Himalayas #4, 1994. © Pamela Singh Courtesy sepiaEYE.

RE/SISTERS

Barbican, 5 Oct 2023 – 14 Jan 2024

RE/SISTERS, a groundbreaking exhibition, showcases the creativity of approximately 50 international women and gender non-conforming artists in the realms of photography and film. The collection delves into how these artists have defied capitalist norms that exploit the environment, while also highlighting their activism and nurturing roles in protecting the planet. Addressing vital themes like extractive industries and caregiving politics, RE/SISTERS unites environmental and gender justice, challenging prevailing power dynamics that endanger our fragile ecosystem.

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