Tate Modern Opens Major Yayoi Kusama Retrospective
Tate Modern has unveiled a comprehensive retrospective of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, showcasing over 200 works spanning her seven-decade career. The exhibition, titled 'Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms', includes iconic pieces such as her polka-dot installations and immersive mirror rooms. According to Tate Modern director Maria Balshaw, 'Kusama's work continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its exploration of infinity, self-obliteration, and the cosmos.' The exhibition runs until 31 October 2026.
National Gallery Presents Francis Bacon: The Human Figure
The National Gallery's new exhibition 'Francis Bacon: The Human Figure' brings together 50 paintings from the artist's later years, focusing on his distorted depictions of the human form. Curator Elena Crippa noted, 'Bacon's work challenges traditional portraiture, revealing the raw and often unsettling aspects of human existence.' The show includes loans from private collections and international museums, and will be on view from 15 July to 20 September 2026.
Serpentine Galleries Feature Emerging Artists
Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens have opened two concurrent exhibitions showcasing emerging talents. The first, 'Sonic Landscapes', features sound installations by artists from the UK and Ghana, exploring the relationship between sound and environment. The second, 'New Perspectives', presents works by five London-based artists under 35, addressing themes of identity and urban life. The exhibitions are free to the public and run until 30 August 2026.
Other Notable Openings and Events
The Whitechapel Gallery is hosting 'Women in Abstraction', a survey of female abstract artists from the 20th century, including works by Hilma af Klint and Georgia O'Keeffe. Meanwhile, the Victoria and Albert Museum has launched 'Designing the Future', a display of innovative design prototypes addressing climate change. Additionally, the Hayward Gallery's 'Light and Space' exhibition, featuring installations by Olafur Eliasson and James Turrell, has been extended due to popular demand.
Art lovers can also explore the newly renovated Dulwich Picture Gallery, which reopens after a two-year refurbishment with a new wing dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The gallery's permanent collection of Old Master paintings remains on display.
