The Best Art Exhibitions in London

       

Looking to soak up some culture in the capital? The search ends here. Read our round up of the best art exhibitions in London, featuring contemporary classics, abstract showcases and breathtaking photography…

The Best Art Exhibitions in London

Goodwood Style

Connolly, Clifford Street

A new exhibition at Connolly showcases a series of works by iconic South African photographer Koto Bolofo, paying homage to Goodwood’s Revival Festival. The collection of silver, gelatine prints focus on capturing the beauty and glamour of the Goodwood driving circuit – where Koto worked on a shoot for Italian Vogue in 2004. ‘A paradise of Bugattis, Maseratis, ferocious roaring Jaguars, Stag Triumphs, Blazing Mustangs, Cobras, Sting Ray Corvettes and even the classic Beetle. This was an automobile animal kingdom simply called heaven,’ says Koto. The exhibition coincides with the launch of the Goodwood x Connolly capsule collection, now available in store. Exhibition open until 2 October. connollyengland.com

Self

Halcyon Gallery

Bond Street’s Halcyon Gallery is running this carefully curated exhibition featuring works by Picasso and Warhol. The exhibition looks at artist’s engagements with the human body through self-portraits, exploring how they see themselves, and how they want the public to see them. Until 30 September. halcyongallery.com

Freeman and Lowe: Colony Sound

Marlborough Gallery

In their UK debut, artists Freeman and Lowe, known for creating wild fictional worlds within their three-dimensional collages, bring their newest chapter to London’s Marlborough Gallery. The immersive installation will take over the two floors of the gallery with each room having its own story. Until 19 October. marlboroughgallery.com

Four Giants of British Modernism: Terry Frost, William Scott, Peter Lanyon and Patrick Heron

Beaux Arts Gallery

The late artists Sir Terry Frost (RA), William Scott (CBE RA), Peter Lanyon and Patrick Heron (CBE) are known in the art world for revolutionising British Abstract Art. Mayfair art hub Beaux Arts Gallery worked with the artists during each of their careers and presents this retrospective exhibition where attendees will be able to see firsthand just how much the artists influenced each other’s work. 19 September – 19 October, beauxartslondon.uk

Hollywood Reloaded

HOFA Gallery

Acclaimed photographers Terry O’Neill and Bran Symondson have collaborated to present Hollywood Reloaded: a provocative new collection making its début at Annabel’s on 30 September. The collection brings a new angle on O’Neill’s black and white photographs from the 60s and 70s, with shots of legendary figures including Michael Caine and Brigitte Bardot holding guns. Symondson is known for turning items of fear and loathing into something of beauty and intrigue, which is the thinking behind this collaboration: O’Neill’s photos of armed celebrities are scattered with real bullet holes and his signature butterflies. ‘I was ensnared with how guns are almost glamourised in these classic photographs,’ he says. ‘The relationship between America and guns is obviously a very pertinent topic and this work gives both a flash back into the history of Hollywood’s fascination with gun wielding poses and also delivers my own message around choosing peace and beauty over war and hate.’ After launching at high-end hangout Annabel’s, the collection will move to the HOFA Gallery on Maddox Street, where it will remain on display throughout Frieze week. Until 14 October. thehouseoffineart.com

Félix Vallotton: Painter of Disquiet

Royal Academy of Arts

Through over 80 landscapes, portraits and prints, visitors of this exhibition at the RA will take a look into the work of Swiss painter Félix Vallotton. The exhibition takes the viewer to the streets of Paris at the time of the Belle Epoque and uses distinct colours and methods to connote sensuality, youth and the vibrancy of the streets of Paris at the time. Until 29 September, royalacademy.org.uk

Roy’s Art Fair

The Truman Brewery

October 2019 marks the 5th edition of Roy’s Art Fair, a three-day art fair with exhibitions, workshops, live art and opportunities to purchase affordable art directly from the artists. This year boasts its biggest line up yet with 95 artists and a collaboration with Mind charity who’ll have a presence in the form of workshops and interactive art displays with themes of mental health and wellbeing and how art can be a positive aid to these. 3 – 6 October, roysartfair.com

Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing

The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

To mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the greatest Renaissance artists, there are 12 exhibitions popping up at different locations across the UK. At The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace, 200 sheets of drawings will be brought together to make it the largest exhibition of Da Vinci’s work in over 65 years. Until 13 October, royalcollection.org.uk

Berlin/London: The Lost Photographs of Gerty Simon

The Wiener Library

Gerty Simon captured some of her extraordinary life through the art of photograhy. All will be revealed in this exhibition at The Wiener Library in Russell Square, from her escape from Nazi prosecution to arriving in London with her son. Until 15 October. wienerlibrary.co.uk

Architecture of London

Guildhall Art Gallery

London is one of the most diverse, forward-thinking and contemporary cities in Europe, and its architecture tells the story of how it’s changed so vastly and so rapidly in the past 400 years. Guildhall Art Gallery’s new exhibition, Architecture of London, looks at how London’s cityscape has changed with a close-up look of its streets and buildings. The exhibition features 80 pieces of words by 60 artists and explores this architectural development through paintings ranging from the 17th century to today. Until 1 December, cityoflondon.gov.uk

Olafur Eliasson: In Real Life

Tate Modern

In the most anticipated exhibition of his work yet, Olafur Eliasson will return to the Tate Modern from July 2019 to January 2020 with an immersive art exhibition looking at the artist’s interest and interpretations of movement and the way in which humans interact with other people and their environments. With a clear theme of climate change and sustainability too, this culturally relevant exhibition is a must-see for art lovers. Until 5 January 2020, tate.org.uk

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