The best art exhibitions on now in London: March and April 2024

Coming after a strong season of winter art exhibitions, a fresh new wave of shows are set to open in London during March and April 2024. Some of the city’s most exciting exhibitions for the year are opening soon. 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

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 | 10 October 2023 – 14 April 2024

The celebrated Ghanian artist has free reign over the Turbine Hall this season. The vast space is transformed with his sculptures, known for their cascading arrangements of found materials.

Bloomberg New Contemporaries

Camden Arts Centre | 19 January-14 April 2024

A selection of recent graduate artists on display, selected by James Richards, Veronica Ryan and Zadie Xa.

The Glass Heart: Art, Industry & Collaboration

Two Temple Place | 27 January-21 April 2024

Here's a unique chance to explore the artistry of glasswork through 100+ pieces spanning over 170 years, from the Great Exhibition of 1851 to contemporary creations. The exhibition not only showcases efforts to preserve traditions and address modern issues but also highlights the richness of glass craftsmanship. Visiting this free exhibition is also a rare opportunity to glimpse the inside of the remarkable venue, Two Temple Place, a historic building I’ve only been able to visit once.

Barbara Kruger

Serpentine Galleries | Feb 1-Mar 17 2024

The Serpentine Gallery is honoring an artist of unparalleled boldness—Barbara Kruger. Kruger’s text-based work is instantly recognisable and highly memorable. Seeing her installation at the Hirshorn Museum in 2015 is still crystal clear in my mind, and I’m so excited to see how this exhibition transforms her works into video and soundscapes.

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.

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Last chance: London exhibitions closing soon

Edgar Degas, Dancer seen from Behind, 1883

Impressionists on Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec

Royal Academy, 25 November 2023 - 10 March 2024

Explore a groundbreaking exhibition that shifts the focus from well-known Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to their revolutionary works on paper. In late 19th-century France, these artists reshaped the course of art not only through their paintings but also by elevating the status of drawings, pastels, and other paper-based mediums to independent artworks. This rich exhibition features approximately 70 works on paper by leading artists, demonstrating their innovative spirit and how it influenced later movements such as Abstract Expressionism.

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Art exhibitions in London: March and April 2024

© Lubaina Himid. Image courtesy the artist, Hollybush Gardens, London and National Museums, Liverpool. © Spike Island, Bristol. Photo: Stuart Whipps.

Entangled Pasts, 1768 - now: Art, Colonialism and Change

Royal Academy, February 3 to April 28

The RA’s exploration of colonialism and its impact will bring together dozens of fascinating artists who question history, bringing together contemporary perspectives as well as historical works on the theme. This is one of the 2024 exhibition I’m most excited for, featuring works from favourites of mine such as Hew Locke, Lubaina Himid, Ellen Gallagher, Yinka Shonibare, and Kara Walker among many others.

Gina Birch, still from Three Minute Scream, 1979. Courtesy the artist

Women in Revolt!

Tate Britain, Nov 8-Apr 7 2024

Women in Revolt! unveils the influential power of feminist art by over 100 women artists in the UK. This survey showcases the network of defiant women who harnessed radical concepts and unconventional techniques to leave a mark on British society.

The exhibition seamlessly amalgamates various artistic mediums to examine pivotal moments. "Women in Revolt!" not only honors a vast and talented group of women but also rectifies the omission of their work from mainstream art establishments. By resurrecting and presenting their significant creations, the exhibition celebrates the immense influence of these women who actively engaged with politics and cultivated transformative communities.

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, emphasizing the significance of collective shared experiences through cinema and performance, while also issuing a cautionary note about the unfulfilled promise of the emancipatory dream.

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Celebrating Women’s History Month in East London

Alternative Arts has teamed up with prominent venues and local communities in East London to highlight the diverse and impactful contributions of women to society and culture.

Zineb Sedira’s exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery (above) is included in this festival, as is the Barbican’s amazing new show on textiles in art (see further below). The programme also includes the annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival and local artists' open studios at ACME. Workshops and activities at venues like the Women's Library at LSE and the Queen's House provide further opportunities for engagement, while month-long events such as the Arab Women Artists Now festival offer a comprehensive celebration of women's achievements.

Check out the full programme at Alternative Arts.

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Graphic Thought Facility (1990, UK). Playing Dress Up With AI, 2023

CUTE

Somerset House, January 25 to April 14 2024

Discover the allure of cuteness in contemporary culture through a dynamic new exhibition. From emojis and internet memes to plushie toys and endearing robotic design, cuteness has become a pervasive force. This show, CUTE, goes beyond the surface of charming motifs like adorable animals and sweet symbols, exploring how cuteness has captivated our world in all sorts of media and visual culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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