10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (2024)

A new autumn has ushered in a new season of art in London, with important retrospectives, blockbuster shows and pleasant rediscoveries scattered all around the city's best cultural institutions. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking to explore the city, here are the 10 must-see art exhibitions in London right now.

1. Lisetta Carmi: Identities

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (1)

Lisetta Carmi: Identities at the Estorick Collection (20 September 2023 - 17 December 2023) features the photography of Lisetta Carmi (1924-2022), an artist who captured the essence of marginalised communities in her native Genoa. Motivated by a profoundly humanistic spirit, Carmi's lens focused on the working-class and trans communities, shedding light on often unnoticed aspects of Italian life and culture. Born into a Jewish family during the Fascist regime in Italy, Carmi shifted from a career as a concert pianist to a photographer in 1960. She is renowned for her portrayal of Genoa's 1960s trans community, and the exhibition showcases approximately 30 of these works, including recently discovered colour photographs from her Puglia residence.

2. Marina Abramović

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (2)

Marina Abramović at the Royal Academy (23 September 2023 - 1 January 2024) is the first comprehensive solo survey in the UK of internationally renowned Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović (b. 1946). With a career spanning over five decades, Abramović has been instrumental in elevating performance art from its experimental origins to mainstream recognition. The exhibition, meticulously curated in collaboration with the artist herself, offers a comprehensive glimpse into her body of work through photographs, videos, objects, and installations. It notably features four of Abramović's iconic performance pieces, reenacted by contemporary performance artists within the gallery space.

See also: Barnebys Visits: Marina Abramović at The Royal Academy

3. Hiroshi Sugimoto

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (3)

Hiroshi Sugimoto at the Hayward Gallery (11 October 2023 -⁠ 7 January 2024) surveys the work of Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, renowned for his enigmatic and thought-provoking images that are meant to challenge our understanding of time and memory, and the role of photography within it. The exhibition showcases pivotal works from all of the artist's major photographic series, as well as lesser-known pieces that offer insights into Sugimoto's personal interest in the history of photography, mathematics, and optical sciences.

4. Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (4)

Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas at Tate Britain (28 September 2023 - 14 January 2024) presents a comprehensive retrospective of Sarah Lucas (b. 1962), a leading contemporary British artist celebrated for her bold and irreverent work, delving into themes of the human body, mortality, and quintessentially British experiences related to sex, class, and gender. Featuring over 75 works spanning four decades, from her early breakthrough sculptures and photographs to newly debuted works, this exhibition provides a unique perspective on Lucas' career in her own voice.

See also: The 8 Top-Selling Women in the YBA

5. Nicole Eisenman: What Happened

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (5)

Nicole Eisenman: What Happened at Whitechapel Gallery (11 October 2023 - 14 January 2024) showcases over 100 works by French-American artist Nicole Eisenman (b.1965), featuring monumental paintings, sculptures, prints, animations, and drawings. Eisenman's art explores timely socio-political themes, from gender and sexual politics to activism and technology's impact on personal relationships. The show's eight sections are arranged chronologically, from her early ink drawings depicting lesbian life in downtown New York in the 1990s to large-scale paintings of the BLM demonstrations of 2020 and later. The retrospective is a collaboration with Museum Brandhorst in Munich and will travel to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

6. Claudette Johnson: Presence

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (6)

Claudette Johnson: Presence at The Courtauld Gallery (29 September 2023 - 14 January 2024) offers an overview of the work of British artist Claudette Johnson (b. 1959), one of the founding members of the Black British Arts Movement and a pioneer of Black British feminism in the visual arts. Known for her powerful, larger-than-life drawings of Black women and men, Johnson's work fuses intimacy and strength. The exhibition spans her 30-year career, showcasing significant early works alongside recent ones in a variety of media. This exhibition marks the first monographic show of Johnson's work at a major London gallery and draws from ongoing research in Black and Diasporic British Art by Dorothy Price, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art and Critical Race Art History at The Courtauld.

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7. The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals

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The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals at The National Gallery (30 September 2023 - 21 January 2024) is the most extensive exhibition of Frans Hals' work in over three decades. The Credit Suisse Exhibition marks the first large-scale monographic exhibition dedicated to the 17th-century Dutch portrait painter, featuring around 50 of his finest works from international collections. The exhibition also includes the well-known painting The Laughing Cavalier. Hals, celebrated for his vivacious characterisations, was known for his ability to capture smiling and laughing subjects – a rarity in Western art. This exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, is a rare opportunity to admire some of Hals' best-known works from museums and private collections around the world.

See also: Frans Hals: The Master of Portraiture

8. Rubens & Women

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (8)

Rubens & Women at Dulwich Picture Gallery (27 September 2023 - 28 January 2024) offers a fresh perspective on the renowned Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. Organised in collaboration with the Rubenshuis in Antwerp, the show presents over 40 paintings and drawings from Rubens's career, with the aim to challenge the popular assumption that the artist painted only one type of woman. The show sets out to reveal the diverse roles women played in his art and life. The subjects, real or imagined, range from his great loves, family members, female patrons, and biblical or mythological women. With many works appearing in the UK for the first time, visitors will be able to discover new aspects of the world of Rubens.

See also: Peter Paul Rubens: Court Painter and Diplomat

9. Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (9)

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto at the Victoria and Albert Museum (16 September 2023 - 25 February 2024) is a journey into French couturière Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel's fashion designs and the legacy of the House of CHANEL. With nearly 200 looks, accessories, perfumes, and jewellery, the exhibit showcases Chanel's pioneering fashion approach, which redefined elegance and still influences women's style today. Based on a previous exhibition organised by the Fashion Museum of Paris and reimagined by the V&A, the show includes over 100 new objects, such as one of the earliest surviving Chanel garments from 1916, original costumes for the Ballets Russes, outfits for Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich, and pieces from her final 1971 collection. The show also highlights her British inspirations and her innovative use of silhouettes and materials.

See also: Chanel: French Fashion Par Excellence

10. Philip Guston

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (10)

Philip Guston at Tate Modern (5 October 2023 - 25 February 2024) is the first major retrospective of Philip Guston's work in the UK in two decades. Philip Guston (1913-1980), considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century, was strongly shaped by his experiences of personal tragedy and social injustice in the US. The show features over 100 paintings and drawings spanning his five-decade career, providing insight into his early life, activism, abstraction phase, and provoking late works. The works chart Gouston's growth from his early years to his controversial hooded KKK figure paintings, ending with his complex, recognisable imagery from the final decade.

Whichever you choose, Barnebys wishes you a happy visit!

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As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including art exhibitions in London. I can provide you with information about the concepts mentioned in the article you provided. However, I don't have first-hand expertise or personal experiences. I rely on the information available on the internet to provide accurate and up-to-date information. Let's dive into the details of the art exhibitions mentioned in the article.

Lisetta Carmi: Identities

The Lisetta Carmi: Identities exhibition is being held at the Estorick Collection in London from September 20, 2023, to December 17, 2023. It features the photography of Lisetta Carmi (1924-2022), an artist known for capturing the essence of marginalized communities in her native Genoa. Her lens focused on the working-class and trans communities, shedding light on often unnoticed aspects of Italian life and culture. The exhibition showcases approximately 30 of her works, including recently discovered color photographs from her Puglia residence .

Marina Abramović

Marina Abramović is a renowned Serbian performance artist, and her comprehensive solo survey is currently being exhibited at the Royal Academy in London from September 23, 2023, to January 1, 2024. With a career spanning over five decades, Abramović has played a significant role in elevating performance art from its experimental origins to mainstream recognition. The exhibition, curated in collaboration with the artist herself, offers a comprehensive glimpse into her body of work through photographs, videos, objects, and installations. It notably features four of Abramović's iconic performance pieces, reenacted by contemporary performance artists within the gallery space.

Hiroshi Sugimoto

The Hiroshi Sugimoto exhibition is taking place at the Hayward Gallery in London from October 11, 2023, to January 7, 2024. Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer known for his enigmatic and thought-provoking images that challenge our understanding of time, memory, and the role of photography. The exhibition showcases pivotal works from all of the artist's major photographic series, as well as lesser-known pieces that offer insights into Sugimoto's personal interests in the history of photography, mathematics, and optical sciences .

Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas

Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas is a comprehensive retrospective of the work of Sarah Lucas, a leading contemporary British artist. The exhibition is being held at Tate Britain in London from September 28, 2023, to January 14, 2024. Lucas is celebrated for her bold and irreverent work, delving into themes of the human body, mortality, and quintessentially British experiences related to sex, class, and gender. The exhibition features over 75 works spanning four decades, from her early breakthrough sculptures and photographs to newly debuted works, providing a unique perspective on Lucas' career.

Nicole Eisenman: What Happened

Nicole Eisenman: What Happened is an exhibition showcasing the works of French-American artist Nicole Eisenman. It is currently being held at the Whitechapel Gallery in London from October 11, 2023, to January 14, 2024. The exhibition features over 100 works, including monumental paintings, sculptures, prints, animations, and drawings. Eisenman's art explores timely socio-political themes, from gender and sexual politics to activism and technology's impact on personal relationships. The retrospective is a collaboration with the Museum Brandhorst in Munich and will travel to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

Claudette Johnson: Presence

Claudette Johnson: Presence is an exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery in London, running from September 29, 2023, to January 14, 2024. It offers an overview of the work of British artist Claudette Johnson, one of the founding members of the Black British Arts Movement and a pioneer of Black British feminism in the visual arts. Johnson is known for her powerful, larger-than-life drawings of Black women and men, fusing intimacy and strength in her work. The exhibition spans her 30-year career, showcasing significant early works alongside recent ones in a variety of media.

The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals

The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals is currently being held at The National Gallery in London from September 30, 2023, to January 21, 2024. It is the most extensive exhibition of Frans Hals' work in over three decades. Frans Hals was a 17th-century Dutch portrait painter known for his vivacious characterizations and ability to capture smiling and laughing subjects. The exhibition features around 50 of his finest works from international collections, including the well-known painting "The Laughing Cavalier." It is organized in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin .

Rubens & Women

Rubens & Women is an exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, running from September 27, 2023, to January 28, 2024. It offers a fresh perspective on the renowned Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. Organized in collaboration with the Rubenshuis in Antwerp, the show presents over 40 paintings and drawings from Rubens's career, challenging the popular assumption that the artist painted only one type of woman. The exhibition aims to reveal the diverse roles women played in Rubens's art and life, featuring subjects ranging from his great loves and family members to female patrons and biblical or mythological women.

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto is an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, running from September 16, 2023, to February 25, 2024. The exhibition explores the fashion designs of French couturière Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel and the legacy of the House of CHANEL. It showcases nearly 200 looks, accessories, perfumes, and jewelry, highlighting Chanel's pioneering fashion approach that redefined elegance and continues to influence women's style today. The exhibition includes over 100 new objects, such as one of the earliest surviving Chanel garments from 1916, original costumes for the Ballets Russes, and pieces from her final 1971 collection .

Philip Guston

Philip Guston is a major retrospective of the work of Philip Guston, an important artist of the 20th century. The exhibition is currently being held at Tate Modern in London from October 5, 2023, to February 25, 2024. It features over 100 paintings and drawings spanning Guston's five-decade career, providing insight into his early life, activism, abstraction phase, and his complex, recognizable imagery from the final decade. Guston's work was strongly shaped by his experiences of personal tragedy and social injustice in the United States.

These exhibitions offer a diverse range of artistic perspectives and are a great opportunity to explore the vibrant art scene in London. Enjoy your visit!

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine (2024)

FAQs

10 Must-See Exhibitions in London: Autumn 2023 | Barnebys Magazine? ›

Frida & Diego Immersive Experience

These revolutionary artists will be brought to life in a 360 degree digital show, with state-of-the-art technology and sound. There will be a unique VR experience with over 300 projections on display. This exhibition is extremely popular, so make sure to book tickets in advance!

What is the immersive exhibition in London October 2023? ›

Frida & Diego Immersive Experience

These revolutionary artists will be brought to life in a 360 degree digital show, with state-of-the-art technology and sound. There will be a unique VR experience with over 300 projections on display. This exhibition is extremely popular, so make sure to book tickets in advance!

What art exhibitions are in London Tate 2023? ›

Tate today announces its programme of exhibitions for 2023. Two ground-breaking figures in modern art, Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian, will be shown together at Tate Modern, while the radical Rossetti generation will be presented in a new light at Tate Britain.

What art exhibitions are on in London at the moment? ›

London's blockbuster exhibitions open now
  • British fashion model Twiggy wearing a black dress with a black hat and pink suede high heels in Biba's Kensington store, 1973. ...
  • Bishan Singh (c.1820 - c.1900), The Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (r. ...
  • Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, 1610.
6 days ago

Which is the best immersive experience in London? ›

Best Immersive Experiences In London To Try
  • Moonshine Saloon: Western Cocktail Experience. 631 reviews. ...
  • Aftermath The Game. 16 reviews. ...
  • Alcotraz London: Cell Block Two-One-Two. 1537 reviews. ...
  • Mission: Breakout London. Taking Bookings. ...
  • WeJam. 6 reviews. ...
  • Darkfield. 1 review. ...
  • OTHERWORLD VR | Hackney. 6 reviews. ...
  • Urban Missions. 95 reviews.

Which immersive exhibition is coming to London in 2024? ›

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms

Expect a multisensory environment, combining the worlds of technology, art and design at one of the best exhibitions London for 2024.

What is the new light exhibition in London? ›

The New Light Prize Exhibition 2023/24 will be touring to four Northern galleries as well as one week in London at Bankside Gallery. New Light was founded in response to the dearth of exhibition opportunities for artists in the region, especially artists using traditional media.

What not to miss at Tate Britain? ›

Ophelia by John Everett Millais

Ophelia (1851–2) is a visitor favourite, our top-selling postcard and one of the most popular Pre-Raphaelite works in Tate's collection. Millais painted the tragic death of Shakespeare's Ophelia in painstaking detail, leaf-by-leaf, over many months.

What not to miss at Tate Modern? ›

While the original Fountain is now lost, Duchamp made this replica version that is now in the Tate Modern collection in 1964.
  • Jackson Pollock, Yellow Islands, 1952.
  • Andy Warhol, Marilyn Diptych, 1962.
  • Guerrilla Girls, Do Women Have to be Naked to Get into the Met Museum?, 1989.
  • Paula Rego, War, 2003.
Jan 19, 2023

Is Tate Modern worth a visit? ›

This one of the most important places to visit on the London map. The buidling modern architecture with outstanding location is already a great reason for being there. It's worth to review the choice of the temporary exhibitions. They might need the Tate pass or additional ticket.

What is the most popular exhibit at the British Museum? ›

The Rosetta Stone at the British Museum

Thanks to it, modern humans were able to unlock ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Pretty important, then. So, it's no surprise that it's the most visited exhibit in the museum. The stone is carved with ancient Greek, hieroglyphics and demotic Egyptian.

Where is the best art in London? ›

These places are best for art galleries in London:
  • The Queen's Gallery.
  • London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE.
  • Guildhall Art Gallery.
  • Dulwich Picture Gallery.
  • Serpentine Galleries.

What is the illusion exhibition in London? ›

Illusionaries is a multi-sensory art experience in London that offers a unique and immersive experience through a variety of digital art exhibits. This multi-sensory environment is designed to engage visitors and showcase cutting-edge technology and artistic creativity.

What is the fully immersive museum in London? ›

Situated in Marble Arch, we are the largest permanent multi-sensory experience in the UK. Frameless features four galleries and showcases some of the world's greatest works of art presented in ways never seen before.

What is on at the V&A 2023? ›

V&A Dundee will celebrate its fifth birthday with a new programme of exhibitions including Tartan, a radical new look at one of the world's best-known fabrics and Plastic: Remaking Our World, taking a fresh look at the promise and challenges of this extraordinary material.

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