A fully immersive 360-degree exhibition inspired by the work of 20th-century French artist Henri Matisse will open in London early next year. The production, titled Matisse: Joy, will debut at Lightroom in King's Cross on January 27, 2027, and is brought to audiences by the same team behind David Hockney: Bigger And Closer (Not Smaller And Further Away), which was previously staged at the same venue.
Celebrating Six Decades of Matisse's Art
The experience will showcase some of the artist's most celebrated pieces spanning his 60-year career, including The Snail, Blue Nudes, Joy of Life, and The Dance. Alongside these works, the exhibition will present photographs of Matisse working at the Matisse Chapel in Vence, France.
Developed in collaboration with art historian Ann Dumas, the production also incorporates work by British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori, featuring a piece created exclusively for Lightroom.
Creative Team Behind the Show
Director Tom Wexler commented: "It was important for us to create a show that honours Matisse's rigour and innovation whilst celebrating how accessible his art is."
He added: "With Yinka Ilori's stunning contributions, I feel we've created something truly inclusive for all ages; a story about pushing the expressive limits of visual art, and rendering emotions in pure colour."
Lightroom senior producer Anna Schmitz revealed that the show would pay tribute to "one of our greatest artists" while offering a "brand-new perspective on the creative process in a way which we hope will truly inspire".
Venue and Ticket Details
The venue, which boasts a 360-degree screen, is currently hosting a similar production, David Bowie: You're Not Alone, celebrating the work of the iconic Starman. This will be followed by an Aardman Animations-inspired experience from October, entitled Larger Than Life: Starring Wallace And Gromit, Shaun And More.
Tickets for Matisse: Joy went on sale today (September 22), starting from £25 for adults and £15 for students and concessions. Tickets are available at lightroom.uk.
