The exhibitions you must see this June
Summer's on the horizon. Cool off in some culture at seven of the best exhibitions to see across the UK this June.
While the heatwave may have passed, your enjoyment of air conditioned spaces may not have. A trip to a museum or gallery is one of our favourite ways to keep cool during the summer season. So, why not fill your June with some of the best exhibitions opening across the UK?
From a celebration of Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe at the National Portrait Gallery in London, to a landmark exhibition spotlighting contemporary Indigenous art at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield – these are the exhibitions you need to see this month.
Celebrating Pride Month? Here's a round-up of must-see exhibitions just for you.
And if you're looking for a money saving tip ahead of your summer holiday: pack a National Art Pass to save at every venue.
What exhibitions can I see in June with an Art Pass?
British Landscapes: A Sense of Place
Throughout history, artists have found inspiration in landscapes and it's not because they make a pretty picture. In this major exhibition, journey through the landscape tradition, spanning 18th-century Romanticism to postwar abstraction, and discover what they can reveal about the world around us, from our national identity to our industrial heritage.
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Marking 100 years since her birth, celebrate the life and legacy of Marilyn Monroe, whose name alone evokes 1950s Hollywood glamour. From her early pin-up career to her final days, see the striking portraits that crafted her public image in collaboration with photographers and artists such as Cecil Beaton, Pauline Boty and Andy Warhol.
Murugiah: Ever Feel Like...
Immerse yourself in the kaleidoscopic world of Murugiah, whose psychedelic illustrations chronicle his life experiences and explore themes including mental health, his Sri Lankan heritage and growing up in Wales. The mythical characters that inhabit his scenes are inspired by his childhood playing Nintendo, pop punk music, and the cartoons that aired on Saturday mornings.
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica
In the first major exhibition of its kind, experience over 300 works that reveal the cultural impact of Pan-Africanism, a global movement that champions the strengthening of solidarity between people of African descent. It's a monumental exhibition with over 40 artists participating – including Chris Ofili, Marlene Dumas, Lubaina Himid and Claudette Johnson.
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Bask in the glow of Joseph Wright of Derby's mesmerising paintings in the first major exhibition dedicated to this important British artist's 'candlelight' paintings. Witness Wright's masterful ability to depict light and shadow, resulting in dramatic and luminous works that have captured audiences for centuries. And encounter scenes of scientific discovery, a subject matter that was not commonly recorded in 18th-century art. And did you know? This exhibition is supported by Art Fund.
Cecil Beaton: Staging Icons
From Marilyn Monroe to Fred Astaire, Cecil Beaton photographed some of the most idolised faces of the 20th century. In this major exhibition spotlighting over 60 images from the National Portrait Gallery's collection, get up close to Beaton's era-defining portraits that carved the public's perception of his famous subjects. Dive into his distinct approach, which embraced stage design, costumes, props and dramatic lighting to create photographs that spotlighted his love of the theatre.
Hold to This Earth: Works by Contemporary Indigenous North American Artists from Tia Collection
Marvel at 67 works by 38 contemporary Indigenous North American artists spanning sculpture, film, photography, paintings and more. This landmark exhibitions brings together both established and emerging artists who acknowledge their ancestral roots, while challenging stories that position Indigenous culture as something that has been erased, keeping it tied to the past. Instead, the exhibition demonstrates the artists' embrace of digital culture, creating an insightful depiction of Indigenous life today.