Art exhibitions on now in London: July 2023 and August 2023
Loads of exciting art exhibitions are set to be on view in London in July and August 2023. Some of the city’s most exciting exhibitions for the year are opening this summer. This post is a guide through the highlights of free exhibitions in London, as well as current art exhibitions at the National Gallery, V&A and Tate. From the must-see exhibitions to the hidden gems, this is your guide.
Summer art exhibitions in London 2023
Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian
Tate Modern | 20 Apr – 3 Sep 2023
Experience the groundbreaking abstract art of Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian in this unique exhibition. Af Klint and Mondrian, who never met, both developed their own visual languages inspired by nature. Both artists were deeply interested in understanding the mysteries of life on earth and sought answers through spirituality, scientific discovery, and philosophy. In addition to Mondrian's well-known grids, the show includes his rarely exhibited floral paintings and Af Klint's enigmatic works that use natural forms to explore abstraction. Af Klint, a medium, believed that her large-scale masterpieces were commissioned by higher powers.
Ai Weiwei: Making Sense
Design Museum | 07 Apr 2023 – 30 Jul 2023
Ai Weiwei is an artist of significant global recognition known for his powerful activism and work across various disciplines, including art, architecture, design, film, collecting, and curating. The first exhibition of its kind, in collaboration with the artist himself, will present his commentary on design and how it reflects changing values. By exploring material culture, Ai examines the tension between past and present, construction and destruction, precious and worthless, and places traditional Chinese craftsmanship in dialogue with recent Chinese urban development and demolition. The exhibition meditates on the value of ignored or erased histories and skills and showcases new commissions and never-before-seen collections of objects alongside some of Ai's most important works.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023
RA | 13 June - 20 August 2023
The Royal Academy of Arts' Summer Exhibition 2023 is a vibrant showcase of contemporary art in London. Bringing together established and emerging artists, this much-anticipated annual event promises to be a feast for the senses, featuring a diverse range of works in various media – from painting, sculpture, and printmaking to photography, architecture, and film.
What sets the Summer Show apart is its open submission policy, which means that artists of all backgrounds and levels of experience have the opportunity to have their works displayed alongside established and renowned artists. This means that seeing the exhibition is a one-of-a-kind experience due to the variety of work on display and the insight it provides into the art world in Britain. Being accepted to the Summer Show is one of the biggest accomplishments an artist can have.
Saint Francis of Assisi
The National Gallery | 6 May – 30 July 2023
Explore the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of history's most inspirational figures. The show presents art and imagery of Saint Francis from the 13th century to the present day, highlighting his spiritual radicalism, commitment to the poor, love of God and nature, and appeals for peace. The exhibition includes paintings from the National Gallery Collection by Sassetta, Botticelli, and Zurbarán, as well as international loans by Caravaggio, Josefa de Óbidos, Stanley Spencer, Antony Gormley, Giuseppe Penone, Andrea Büttner, and a new commission by Richard Long.
After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art
The National Gallery | 25 March-13 August
"Artistic Upheaval: 1880-1914" explores the revolutionary period between 1880 and World War I through the works of Cézanne, van Gogh, and Gauguin. See over 100 works by artists such as Klimt, Matisse, Picasso, and Kandinsky, and sculptures by Rodin and Claudel. The exhibition traces the emergence of a new, modern art that rejected convention and embraced Expressionism, Cubism, and Abstraction. This will be an exciting chance to see some of the most iconic works from this significant period of artistic innovation.
Isaac Julien
Tate Britain, London | 26 April-20 August
Discover the pioneering work of Isaac Julien, one of the leading artists in film and video, in this ambitious solo exhibition. The show presents works from Julien's early films to large-scale installations and highlights his critical thinking and interdisciplinary approach, drawing from film, dance, photography, music, theatre, painting, and sculpture. The exhibition explores themes of desire, history, and culture and presents Julien's work across forty years for the first time in the UK.
Berthe Morisot
Dulwich Picture Gallery | 31 March - 10 September, £16.50.
"Berthe Morisot: Impressionist Trailblazer" brings together around 30 of Morisot's most significant works from international collections, many never before shown in the UK. The show explores Morisot's role as a founding member of the Impressionist group and her impact on the movement, drawing on new research and unpublished archival material from the Musée Marmottan Monet. The exhibition reveals Morisot's connection to 18th century culture and highlights the originality of her artistic vision.
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.
The Rossettis
Tate Britain | 6 April - 24 September, £22.
Explore the revolutionary art, love, and lifestyles of the Rossetti generation in the immersive exhibition "The Rossettis: Romance and Radicalism." The show features world-renowned works by Dante Gabriel, Christina, and Elizabeth Rossetti, using spoken poetry, drawings, paintings, photography, and design to examine the myths surrounding their unconventional relationships. This is the first retrospective of Dante Gabriel Rossetti at Tate and the largest exhibition of his iconic pictures in two decades, as well as the most comprehensive exhibition of Elizabeth Siddal's work in 30 years. Don't miss this chance to see rare surviving watercolours and important drawings by Siddal.
Dear Earth: Art and Hope in a Time of Crisis
Hayward Gallery, 21 June – 3 September 2023
This exhibition that brings together works by international artists that reflect on the pressing environmental issues facing the planet. The exhibition features a diverse range of art forms including sculpture, painting, installation and film, highlighting the urgent need for collective action and hope for the future. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the environmental crisis and inspire visitors to take action to protect the planet. Visitors can expect to see powerful and thought-provoking works by artists such as Olafur Eliasson, Ed Atkins, and Tomás Saraceno.
Andy Warhol: The Textiles
Fashion and Textile Museum | 31 March – 10 September 2023
£12.65
This exhibition showcases a lesser-known facet of the iconic artist's work. The exhibition features over 100 printed textiles created by Warhol in the 1960s, which demonstrate his unique approach to the art form. The textiles, with their bold colors, striking designs, and witty subject matter, offer a fascinating insight into Warhol's creative process and his fascination with everyday objects and popular culture. This will be an excellent stop on a tour of art in Bermondsey.
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.
Carrie Mae Weems
Barbican Art Gallery, 21 June – 3 September 2023
The Barbican Centre in London is hosting a major exhibition of the work of celebrated artist Carrie Mae Weems. The exhibition brings together a wide range of her multi-disciplinary work, including photographs, films, objects and installations, spanning three decades of her career. Weems is known for her exploration of identity, power, desire and social justice through her work, particularly challenging representations of race, gender, and class. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to see some of her most iconic pieces, such as the Kitchen Table Series and the epic film installation The Shape of Things.
Read more about art in London
The best current art exhibitions in London during May 2024 and June 2024. Discover Michelangelo, Zanele Muholi, or the German Expressionists at London museums this spring. This guide also includes free exhibitions in London.