The exhibitions you must see this May
From Liverpool to London, here's your guide to eight exhibitions opening across the UK that you won't want to miss this May.
Ah, May – a glorious month in the height of spring, and with the promise of summer right around the corner. The days are getting the longer, the flowers are starting to bloom, and there's a plethora of exciting exhibitions to get you out of the house and into some culture.
From medieval manuscripts to Baroque paintings, the phenomenon of fandoms to the enduring legacy of William Morris – discover some of the best exhibitions opening across the UK this May.
And, don't forget to pack a National Art Pass to make great savings.
What exhibitions can I see for less with an Art Pass?
David Bowie: You're Not Alone
Immerse yourself in the world of David Bowie, whose creative vision and musical talent has left a lasting legacy on pop culture, fashion and music. Iconic performances, rare interviews, Bowie's art, lyrics (and more) are projected across the Lightroom's monumental space to conjure a vivid presentation of the artist.
Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art
Discover the pioneering women artists who transformed British art, from the 19th century to today. In collaboration with Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum and Kirkcaldy Galleries, over 50 works by important artists go on display, including Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth and Dod Procter. This is part of Going Places, Art Fund's major exhibition-touring programme.
Zurbarán
Marvel at dramatic masterpieces by Spanish Baroque painter, Francisco de Zurbarán. Reverred for his ability to capture ordinary objects and everyday scenes with an emotional intensity and mystery, this exhibition spotlights his development as an artist, bringing together key works on loan from major collections from across the world.
John Akomfrah: Listening All Night To The Rain
Commissioned by the British Council for the 60th Venice Biennale, Listening All Night to the Rain is John Akomfrah’s most ambitious work to date. Now touring to Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool with Art Fund support, the exhibition unfolds as a series of interwoven multimedia and sound installations, creating an immersive environment that explores the histories of migrant diasporas in Britain. Akomfrah and his team draw on decades of research, weaving together newly filmed material, archival footage, photography and sound to uncover how geopolitical histories shape diasporic experiences today.
Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval
What are your rules to live by? This exhibition makes fascinating connections between medieval monastic ideas around how to live and how we now organise our lives in the modern world. Historic items – such as a 6th-century guidebook for monks living together, or one of the only medieval paintings to survive the Reformation – are presented alongside contemporary works of art.
Holy Pop!
Dive into the phenomenon of fandoms and how the rise of secularism diverted our adoration towards famous people, fictional characters, pop culture icons and celebrities, from Elvis Presley to Princess Diana. Explore how fan devotion shapes identitiy and builds community, and the role that shrines play in honouring our idols.
Mrinalini Mukherjee
Discover the women artists from India and Bangladesh who transformed 20th-century sculpture. While Mrinalini Mukherjee is the central thread, the exhibition traces South Asian sculpture’s matrilineal heritage and how a constellation of women artists helped to shape global modernism.
The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co.
A champion of art and design in everyday life, William Morris was a revolutionary figure, whose nature-inspired patterns have become synonymous with a quintessentially British aesthetic. In this exhibition, discover over 45 of his wallpaper designs that captivated the Victorians and have never, quite, gone out of style.