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London's blockbuster exhibitions open now

Global Warming TV, photographed and styled by Inez & Vinoodh, September 1994

Planning a cultural day out in the city? From a cult fashion magazine at the National Portrait Gallery to a pivotal moment in art history around the corner at the National Gallery, don't miss the biggest exhibitions in London open now.

London is home to one of the most vibrant art scenes in the world. Whether you're interested in major international artists, world history or the bright new stars of visual art, there's something on offer for every cultural appetite.

From visitor favourites such as Tate and the V&A to neighbourhood gems like Dulwich Picture Gallery, a rolling programme of must-see exhibitions runs throughout the year.

Here's our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in London right now.


Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get reduced-price entry at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.

Discover some of the best exhibitions in London with an Art Pass

01
Duccio, Maestà Panels - Christ and the Woman of Samaria, 1308-11

Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350

Step into Siena's Golden Age in this blockbuster exhibition. In the 14th century and for the first time in Western art history, artists dramatically transformed painting. Duccio, Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers began adding emotion, movement, colour and perspective in a way that had never been seen before, changing the course of art history forever.

02
Girls on Bikes (Sarf Coastin’), by Elaine Constantine, styled by Polly Banks, December 1997

The Face Magazine: Culture Shift

The cult fashion magazine The Face gets the all-star treatment in this look back at its iconic covers graced by the models, musicians and movie stars who shaped our cultural landscape from 1980 to 2004. Marvel at photographs by trailblazers in the fashion industry, including Corinne Day, David Sims and Elaine Constantine.

03
Fergus Greer, Leigh Bowery Session I Look 2, 1988

Leigh Bowery!

The iconic performer, club promoter and fashion designer Leigh Bowery gets the all-star treatment at Tate Modern. Be dazzled by his boundary-pushing designs – which treated clothing and makeup as painting and sculptural works and challenged preconceptions of the body, sexuality and gender.

04
Linder, SheShe, 1981. Silver bromide photographs from original negative.

Linder: Danger Came Smiling

Meet a pioneering feminist artist from Manchester's punk scene. Linder creates montages, photographs, sculptures and performances to examine gender roles, the body, and how women are represented in the media. From early glamour to digital deep-fakes, discover a radical artist who has spent 50 years revealing our changing attitudes to lifestyle, sex, food and fashion.

05
Noah Davis, 1975 (8), 2013

Noah Davis

Experience Noah Davis's boundless creativity in the UK's first institutional retrospective dedicated to the late American artist, whose practice spanned figurative painting, sculpture, curating and community-building. Davis was committed to demonstrating the beauty of everyday life and the people around him, often blending reality with fiction to create dreamlike and joyful scenes. And while you're there, don't miss Citra Sasmita's immersive installation in The Curve, which is free to all.

06
Donald Rodney, In the House of My Father, 1997

Donald Rodney: Visceral Canker

Discover late British artist Donald Rodney's wide-ranging practice, which explores themes of racial identity, chronic illness, Black masculinity and Britain's colonial past. Rodney's work spans painting, drawing, installation, sculpture and more, and this exhibition highlights his significance in recent British art history.

07
May 1st demonstration in solidarity to the Sans-Papiers in hunger strike at the Halle Pajol before the occupation of the Saint Bernard Church, 1996, Paris.

Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights

Explore the impact of physical labour on the body and health in this major exhibition, which reveals the experiences of people who take on undervalued work. Three sections – The Plantation, The Street, and The Home – each investigate the distinct spaces where often invisible, precarious or physical work takes place to reveal the connection between unregulated work practices and healthcare inequalities over history and into today.

08
Black and white photo of women with raised, linked hands in front of a chainlink fence
Melanie Friend, Greenham Common, 14 December 1985, 1985, reprinted 2023

The 80s: Photographing Britain

Discover how a wide-ranging community of photographers captured a decade of change. The powerful shots in this exhibition document race uprisings, the miners' strikes, section 28 and the AIDS pandemic – giving voice and visibility to overlooked and ignored groups. Used as a tool for social change, they're now a remarkable showcase of photography's impact on both art and the world.

09
NAOMI at V&A

NAOMI: In Fashion

One of the original supermodels and the first Black woman to appear on the cover of French Vogue at the tender age of 18, who doesn't know Naomi Campbell? Through her enviable wardrobe and legendary looks from over the years, this exhibition tells the story of her life and successful career, which saw her turn into a global superstar and fashion icon.

10
Anthony McCall, installation view of Face to Face, Sean Kelly, New York, 2013

Anthony McCall: Solid Light

Step inside and interact with immersive light sculptures in this major presentation of Anthony McCall, a contemporary artist who redefined the possibilities of sculpture in the 70s. Create new shapes with your own movement in these translucent installations that blur sculpture, cinema, drawing and performance.

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product

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