exhibitions

EXHIBITIONS ON IN LONDON IN 2026

2nd May to 23 August 2026. Baroque brilliance: Zurbarán at The National Gallery

Stunning life-size depictions of saints, soaring altarpieces and contemplative still-lifes form this exhibition of works by leading 17th century Spanish painter, Francisco de Zurbarán — featuring over 50 of his works. Zurbarán spent most of his life in Seville, then one of the richest cities in Europe, whose maritime links to the Americas made it a hub of global trade. He painted primarily for the city’s religious orders and, for a time in Madrid, even for the King of Spain. Here, faces, figures, fruits and fabrics all enjoy his masterful attention to detail.

Zurbarán at The National Gallery. 2 May-23 August 2026, £20-£22.

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9 May-27 September 2026 Henry Moore at Kew Gardens

While Henry Moore's sculptures often appear as single pieces, Kew Gardens has assembled a collection of 30 monumental bronzes to be scattered across its grounds. There will also be 90 smaller works in its gallery space, including bronzes, carvings, prints and drawings, exploring Moore's innovative process of 'thinking through nature'. The concept is to examine Moore's creative responses to the fragility of the natural world and the interplay between humans and the complex ecosystems that connect all life on earth. It's sure to be Moore-ish.

Henry Moore: Monumental Nature at Kew Gardens. 9 May-27 September 2026, ticketed — includes entry to the gardens.

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16 May to 10 January 20267: Art from the Global South: Rising Voices at V&A

Home to 60% of the global population, Australia, Asia and the Pacific comprise one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse swathes of the globe. Hot on the heels of the opening of the V&A East, Rising Voices at the original V&A celebrates these voices by showcasing work from the region's makers. Themes include how artists respond to political conditions, from histories of migration to domestic conflicts and social upheaval; artistic heritage and ways of making with local materials; and considering how spirituality and systems of faith are expressed through art.

Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific at V&A. 16 May 2026-10 January 2027, £17.

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21 May to 27 September 2026: Progressive portraits: Whistler at Tate Britain

American artist James McNeill Whistler arrived in Britain, then threw out the rulebook of portrait painting by focusing on the individual rather than the narrative conveyed through the background. He did so most famously in the painting better known as 'Whistler's Mother' — sure to be a highlight of this Tate Britain exhibition. Whistler's nocturnes of London at night are also spectacular, capturing the city in its smoggy, light-flecked glory. This exhibition — the first major European one in 30 years — brings together the artist's world-famous paintings alongside portraits, drawings, prints and designs from his teens in St. Petersburg to his late self-portraits.

James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain. 21 May-27 September 2026, £24.

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21 May to 6 September 2026: A brighter future: In Other Worlds at the Barbican

Imagine what the future of humanity could look like, and the challenges and adventures to come. That's what Liam Young wants us to consider through his immersive exhibition, which includes films, audio stories, tapestries, soundscapes and costumes. He is a filmmaker and speculative architect, and like all good future thinkers, the work here may look fantastical, but it's all rooted in real technology and climate-based possibilities. This is about stepping away from dystopia, asking: what if the future could actually be... hopeful?

In Other Worlds: Liam Young with Collaborators at the Barbican Centre. 21 May-6 September 2026, £19.

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Exhibitions continuing through the year: 

 

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History, Culture & Specialized Exhibitions

  • Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends: Young V&A (12 Feb–15 Nov 2026) – Interactive, family-friendly.

  • Fairy Tales: The British Library (27 March–23 Aug 2026).

  • Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace (Opens 10 April 2026).

  • The Coming of Age: Wellcome Collection (26 March–29 Nov 2026).

  • V&A East Museum Opening: (Opens 18 April 2026). 

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Fashion & Design

  • Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art: V&A South Kensington (Opens 28 March 2026).

  • The Music is Black: A British Story: V&A East Museum (Opens 18 April 2026). 

Other Top 2026 Highlights

  • Van Eyck: The Portraits: The National Gallery (21 Nov 2026–11 April 2027).