Popular Art Exhibitions in London

London is home to a number of world class art galleries which all offer a regular and exciting programme of special exhibitions.  Whilst many of these art galleries are well worth visiting year round, with the vast majority also offering free admission to members of the public, the special exhibitions also often come highly acclaimed with a number offering the chance to see works of art which are not usually on display.  Whether you are just beginning to plan your trip to London or you have one coming up in the next few months, here are some popular art exhibitions in the city which are well worth taking the time to see:-

Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts is all about showcasing new talent and contemporary expressions of art be that through painting or printmaking, film or photography.  The Summer Exhibition runs until the end of August and will feature over 1,200 works with the best of up and coming talent alongside more established artists.

Grayson Perry at The Serpentine Gallery

The Serpentine Gallery is just a 20 minute walk from The Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington Hotel and situated within the confines of Kensington Gardens it is well known for its contemporary and temporary art exhibitions.  This summer Grayson Perry showcases The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! which explores the ways in which contemporary art can address a diverse cross section of society.  The interesting thing about Grayson Perry is that he works with a variety of different mediums from ceramics to printmaking, tapestry to cast iron and he draws inspiration from his own childhood and life as a transvestite whilst also tackling wider social issues such as politics and the class system.  Although it is free to see the exhibition, numbers are limited so expect to queue when you arrive at the Gallery.

Monet at the National Gallery

Although this exhibition will not officially open at the National Gallery until April 2018 it is already garnering much interest and is expected to be a very popular show.  Monet & Architecture will feature more than 70 paintings which were made throughout this renowned artist’s career from the mid-1860s right through to 1912.  There are a variety of works of art; some showing villages and rural settings and others his exploration of modern cities.  These works have been drawn from various public and private collections from around the globe.  If you want to experience this exhibition and not pay through the nose for a hotel then we suggest you get searching for budget hotels in London as soon as possible so you don’t miss your chance to see what may be a once in a lifetime exhibition.

Amy Winehouse at the Jewish Museum

For something slightly different, you might be interested in visiting the Jewish Museum London and seeing Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait.  The Jewish Museum is located just 3 minutes walk from Camden Town underground station and this exhibition is a must-visit for any fans of the London singer-songwriter who sadly passed away in 2011.  The exhibition will feature Amy’s record collection, some of her more notable fashion outfits, and family photographs and provide a behind the scenes look at Amy’s life both as she was growing up and once she became famous.  The exhibition has been co-curated with Amy Winehouse’s brother Alex and her sister in law Riva and will be on display until the end of September.

Painted Hall Ceiling Tour at the Old Royal Naval College

A truly once in a lifetime opportunity, visitors on the painted ceiling tours will have the chance to ascend 60 feet and see the UK’s largest painted ceiling up close as it is renovated and restored for the first time in almost 50 years.  The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is a Baroque masterpiece and was created between 1707 and 1726.  It is home to a number of surprises; these hour-long tours will offer you the opportunity to discover just some of those mysteries from the special observation deck which has been created.

Harry Potter Graphics at the House of Minalima

Harry Potter celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017 so it makes sense that a number of exhibitions relating to the famous boy wizard should crop up around the city.  Minalima is located in Soho and has given over a number of rooms to showcase graphic art from the Harry Potter films as well as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, with a number of limited edition re-produced art prints for sale too.  The collection features items such as the Marauder’s Map, Daily Prophet newspapers and some authentic film props which have been received on loan from the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour.  Any Harry Potter fan will absolutely love this insight into the movies so be sure to get down before the exhibition closes.

Rachel Whiteread at Tate Britain

Rachel Whiteread was the first woman to win the Turner Prize and is one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists.  This exhibition at the Tate Britain is the most comprehensive exhibition of her work to date and spans her 25 year career of creating sculptures from plaster, concrete, resin and rubber.  The show will feature some of her most well known works such as Untitled (100 spaces) and Untitled (Staircase) alongside new pieces which have never before been exhibited.

Basquiat at the Barbican

Drawing from private and international museums, Basquiat: Boom for Real is the first large-scale exhibition in the UK of the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.  The show will feature more than 100 works and bring to light the amazing story of this self-taught artist who first rose to fame in 1978 after teaming up with a fellow classmate to graffiti statements across New York.  He tragically died at just 27 years old but is remembered as one of the most celebrated artists of his generation.