Summer art exhibitions in London: July and August 2024

It is summertime in the city and time for a slate of new art exhibition openings in London. The Royal Academy Summer Show kicks off the summer art exhibition season, and is met by many exciting shows from Ukrainian Modernism to Zanele Muholi. Several brilliant shows that opened this spring will continue through the summer, such as the Expressionists at the Tate Modern.

As an art history teacher based in London, summer is my prime time to catch up on art exhibitions and gather inspiration for the months ahead. Read on to see my picks of the most exciting art exhibitions in London this summer, including free shows and London’s vibrant galleries.

Free art exhibitions in London: Summer 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.

The Body as Matter: Giacometti, Nauman, Picasso

Gagosian Grosvenor Hill | June 6 - July 26

Explore what these three masters have in common through an exploration of the body in each artist’s work.

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

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.

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Summer art exhibitions in London: July and August 2024

Anthony McCall: Solid Light

Tate Modern, June 27 to April 27 2025

Witness as artworks come alive through movement and interaction. Beams of light penetrate a fine mist, shaping vast three-dimensional forms that evolve and morph over time. Traverse through these translucent sculptures, unveiling new perspectives and shapes with each step.

Anthony McCall's installations transcend traditional boundaries, blending sculpture, cinema, drawing, and performance. Since his groundbreaking Line Describing a Cone in 1973, McCall has redefined the possibilities of light in sculpture, captivating audiences with his innovative vision.

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

RA, 18 June - 18 August

Step into the vibrant world of contemporary art at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition, curated this year by Ann Christopher RA. Since 1769, this iconic event has celebrated creativity, showcasing diverse works by emerging talents and established luminaries like David Hockney RA and Tracey Emin. From painting to sculpture, photography to architecture, explore over 250 years of artistic innovation in one dynamic exhibition.

In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900-1930s

Royal Academy, 29 June - 13 October

Experience the groundbreaking modernist art of Ukraine from 1900 to the 1930s. Amidst collapsing empires and the rise of Soviet Ukraine, this era saw bold artistic experimentation and cultural blossoming.

Discover 65 works, from oil paintings to theatre design, showcasing Ukraine's diverse artistic styles and cultural identities. Featuring artists like Kazymyr Malevych and Sonia Delaunay, this exhibition offers a unique insight into a period of unparalleled creativity amidst historic upheaval.

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.

Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection

V&A, May 8 to January 5

This stunning showcase of over 300 photographs is from one of the most exquisite private photography collections in the world. The exhibition spans from the 1950s to today, featuring iconic images that explore themes such as fashion, celebrity, reportage, and the male body.

Highlights include works by renowned photographers like Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Tyler Mitchell. This exhibition not only celebrates the artistic achievements of these photographers but also offers a unique glimpse into the cultural and historical moments they captured. The collection reflects the passion and dedication of Sir Elton John and David Furnish, who have amassed over 7,000 images over three decades. Their commitment to acquiring the finest prints ensures that "Fragile Beauty" is a visual feast not to be missed.

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.

Gavin Jantjes, Freedom Hunters, 1977, Screenprint on paper, 100 × 70 cm. Courtesy the artist. Image courtesy the artist. Photo: Ann Purkis © Gavin Jantes, licensed by DACS

Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective (1970 – 2023)

Whitechapel Gallery, June 12 to September 1

Explore the groundbreaking work of South African artist Gavin Jantjes in this comprehensive retrospective, spanning over five decades of his career. "To Be Free!" showcases Jantjes' powerful engagement with social, political, and cultural issues through his diverse body of work, including painting, printmaking, and multimedia installations. The exhibition highlights his unwavering commitment to art as a tool for activism and change, tracing his journey from the anti-apartheid movement to contemporary global struggles.

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.

Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking

Dulwich Picture Gallery, June 19 to October 20

Explore the rich heritage of Japanese printmaking with this exhibition that spans over a century of artistic innovation. This exhibition features the work of three generations of the Yoshida family, renowned for their significant contributions to the art form. Highlights include works by Yoshida Hiroshi, whose prints from the Fukuoka Art Museum in Japan are being displayed in the UK for the first time. The exhibition will culminate in a new site-specific installation of cherry blossom by Yoshida Ayomi.

ROGER MAYNE, MEN AND BOYS IN SOUTHAM STREET, LONDON, 1959

ROGER MAYNE ARCHIVE / MARY EVAN

Roger Mayne: Youth

Courtauld Gallery, June 14 to September 1

Roger Mayne’s Youth is the Courtauld Gallery's first-ever photography exhibition. It explores Mayne's significant contributions to documentary photography through his evocative black and white images of young people in post-war Britain. The exhibition includes iconic works from the 1950s and 1960s, such as "Children in a Bombed Building, Bermondsey" and "A Girl Jiving in Southam Street," alongside lesser-known images of his own children. Curated by Jane Alison in collaboration with Mayne's daughter, Katkin Tremayne, this exhibition offers a poignant look at youth, community, and the transformative years following World War II.

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.

Francis Alÿs: Ricochets

Barbican, 27 Jun—1 Sep

Embark on a global journey through the eyes of childhood play at the Barbican this summer with Francis Alÿs. In his acclaimed series, Children's Games, Alÿs captures the universal joy of games like 'musical chairs,' 'leapfrog,' and 'wolf and lamb' from Mexico to Afghanistan. Ricochets transforms our gallery into a cinematic playground, featuring multi-screen film installations showcasing children at play worldwide. Alongside the UK premiere of Children's Games, explore new animated films depicting traditional and lesser-known hand games.

Collection of Odawara Art Foundation © Hiroshi Sugimoto

Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens

National Portrait Gallery, June 20 to September 8

Explore the captivating lives of Henry VIII's six queens—Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Katherine Parr—at the National Portrait Gallery's new exhibition. A rich collection of historic paintings, contemporary photography, costumes, and films will be on display, drawing together a variety of sources to evaluate the lasting cultural fascination with these six women.

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