London is Calling
London Is Calling: Exhibitions to catch before they close on 1st September 2024
As one of the world's leading cultural capitals, London is set to host an extraordinary array of art exhibitions in 2024-2025, sure to captivate art lovers from all walks of life. From the vibrant colours of Van Gogh at The National Gallery to the serene waters of Monet at The Courtauld, from the intense psychological portraits of Francis Bacon at The National Portrait Gallery to the masterful works of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael at The Royal Academy of Arts—this year promises to be a treasure trove of artistic experiences.
Before diving into these upcoming masterpieces, there’s still time to catch some of the most talked-about exhibitions that are closing soon on September 1st, 2024. Here’s your essential guide to what’s still on in London’s top galleries:
London Exhibitions Closing on 1st September 2024
Yoko Ono: Retrospective
• Venue: Tate Modern
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: This comprehensive retrospective, titled YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND, offers a deep dive into Yoko Ono’s pioneering work in conceptual and performance art. Spanning more than seven decades, the exhibition includes over 200 works—ranging from instruction pieces and scores to installations, films, music, and photography. Ono’s iconic pieces, such as Cut Piece (1964) and the interactive Wish Trees for London, challenge the boundaries of art and activism, encouraging audiences to engage with themes of peace, identity, and social change. The exhibition is not just a showcase of her art but a participatory experience, inviting visitors to contribute personal wishes for peace, making it a must-see for those interested in the intersection of art, activism, and personal expression.
Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States
• Venue: Serpentine South
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
“Suspended States addresses the suspension of boundaries, whether psychological, physical, or geographical — all boundaries of nationhood are in a state of suspense. This is an exhibition in which Western iconography is reimagined and interrogated, at a moment in history when Nationalism, protectionism and hostility towards foreigners is on the rise.” – Yinka Shonibare CBE
• Why You Should See It: Yinka Shonibare CBE’s Suspended States is a powerful exhibition that tackles themes of death, exploitation, and the complexities of post-colonial identity. Known for his vibrant and politically charged works, Shonibare uses Western art history and literature to explore contemporary culture and national identities. The exhibition features two major installations—Sanctuary City (2024) and The War Library (2024)—that interrogate how systems of power affect sites of refuge, the legacy of imperialism, and the ecological impact of colonisation. The use of Dutch wax print fabric, a symbol of the tangled relationship between Africa and Europe, is a recurring motif, making this exhibition a visually striking and intellectually provocative experience.
Judy Chicago: Revelations
• Venue: Serpentine North
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: As Judy Chicago’s first solo presentation in a major London institution, Revelations is a bold exploration of feminist art that has been pushing boundaries for decades. The exhibition takes its name from an unpublished illuminated manuscript Chicago created in the 1970s while working on The Dinner Party—a monumental installation symbolising the achievements of 1038 women. The exhibition is organised thematically around the manuscript’s chapters, featuring archival and never-before-seen artworks, early abstract and minimalist works, and immersive video installations. With over six decades of work on display, this exhibition is not just a retrospective but a call to action, challenging the absence and erasure of women in the cultural canon.
Discover Degas & Miss La La
• Venue: National Gallery
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: This exhibition sheds new light on Edgar Degas’s famous painting Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando. The exhibition is centred around newly discovered information about the painting and its enigmatic sitter, Miss La La, a talented aerialist who performed death-defying stunts. The exhibition includes rare drawings and unpublished photographic portraits of Miss La La, offering a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of race, performance, and art in 19th-century Paris. Degas’s masterful use of pastels and his keen interest in movement make this exhibition a visually stunning and intellectually enriching experience.
Roger Mayne: Youth
• Venue: Courtauld Gallery
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: Step back in time with Roger Mayne’s evocative documentary images of 1950s inner London. This exhibition captures the energy and spirit of youth in post-war Britain, with photographs that are both nostalgic and poignant. Featuring around 60 vintage photographs, the exhibition includes iconic street images of children and teenagers, as well as intimate later images of his own family. As a self-taught photographer who played a crucial role in the acceptance of photography as an art form, Mayne’s work offers a rare glimpse into the social fabric of a bygone era.
Francis Alÿs: Ricochets
• Venue: Barbican Art Gallery
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: Ricochets is the largest UK institutional show by internationally renowned artist Francis Alÿs in almost 15 years. The exhibition transforms the gallery into a cinematic playground, immersing visitors in multi-screen film installations that focus on children’s games from around the world. From “musical chairs” in Mexico to “leapfrog” in Iraq, Alÿs’s work explores the tensions between innocence and violence, revealing complex social dynamics through seemingly simple activities. The exhibition also debuts a new body of animated films depicting traditional and lesser-known hand games, making it a fascinating exploration of the intersection between art, geopolitics, and play.
Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere
• Venue: Hayward Gallery
• Closing Date: 1 Sep 2024
• Why You Should See It: Tavares Strachan’s There Is Light Somewhere is an immersive exhibition that explores hidden figures and narratives through a series of fantastical sculptures, collages, and neon works. The centrepiece is a 14-meter-long floating ship on the flooded roof of the Hayward Gallery, symbolising the theme of discovery and invisibility. Strachan’s work highlights unsung explorers and cultural pioneers whose stories have been overlooked due to bias, making the exhibition a thought-provoking experience that challenges conventional notions of history and identity.
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