Picasso, Perry, and Portraiture: Our top exhibitions for 2025
We choose our most-anticipated exhibitions across the UK and Ireland in the next twelve months...
By
gowithYamo
January 9, 2025
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
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Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at The Holburne Museum (Bath)
Showing from 24th January - 5th May
Twentieth-century art’s biggest names come together in this unique exhibition; featuring Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and more, this unique exhibition explores the effect that photography had on portraiture across the century. As photographs were increasingly used by artists as sources for their portraits, did this add a layer of detachment from the subject? Or did it allow the artists to represent figures that they otherwise would never have had access to? These questions and more will be addressed when the exhibition opens later this month.
Htein Lin at Ikon Gallery (Birmingham)
Showing from 20th March - 1st June
From his video and performance pieces to his paintings and monoprints made in a Myanmar prison from 1998 to 2004, the works of Htein Lin all evoke the artist’s lifelong desire for free artistic expression. At Ikon Gallery this year, the artist turns his attention to his time as a student rebel during the pro-democracy uprising of 1988. Lin walks the walk of his artworks too; as part of the display, works will be developed via workshops taking place with prisoners in Buckinghamshire’s HMP Grendon, comparing the conditions of his imprisonment with those of prisoners in the UK today.
Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Abolition at The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
Showing from 21st February - 1st June
Showcasing an essential - and frequently overlooked - period of British history, The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Rise Up will showcase works from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century battle to end the UK slave trade. Telling the story of those who campaigned for abolition in their own words, this exhibition will also bring the works on display into conversation with those by contemporary artists, acknowledging the aftermath and ongoing legacy of colonialism and oppression.
Urgencies (2025) at Centre for Contemporary Art Derry - Londonderry
Showing from 18th January - 15th March
The CCA’s biennial group exhibition returns, offering a portrait of the local concerns via the work of early-career artists in and around the region. This year’s edition of Urgencies is set to cover such diverse topics as mental health, healthcare, conflict, privilege, toxic masculinity and ecological breakdown, all focalised through the lens of those closest to the gallery. Drawing on a whole host of unique personal experiences, it’s exhibitions like these that truly spotlight the capacity that art has to call for change.
Picasso: From the Studio at The National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
Showing from 11th October 2025 - 22nd February 2026
Despite - or perhaps even because of - the controversies surrounding Pablo Picasso, contemporary exhibitions of the artist’s work often focus on his personal life, either focusing on specific periods or offering a biography through his paintings. This year, The National Gallery of Ireland puts its focus on the artist’s process, noting the intimate links between his home life and his studio, and traces the movements from Paris to Cannes via various media and documentary ephemera.
Acts of Creation: On Art & Motherhood at Dundee Contemporary Arts
Showing from 19th April - 13th July
Curator Hettie Judah brings together over 100 artworks from over 60 artists for a deep dive into the creative enterprise of motherhood. From the avant-garde feminist artworks of the late Twentieth Century to the work of contemporary artists working today, the exhibition prioritises lived experience for a varied, diverse look at concerns including gender, reproductive rights, and caregiving in the modern world. A must-visit for any fans of Tate Britain’s recent Women in Revolt exhibition.
Sussex Modernism at Towner Eastbourne
Showing from 21st May - 28th September
Spotlighting the artists who opposed Modernism may seem like a strange choice for an exhibition celebrating it; for Towner Eastbourne’s latest exhibition, however, they are a central part of telling the movement’s story, particularly within the context of regional artists. The first exhibition of its type to approach a movement through a regional lens, this colourful celebration of painting, sculpture, film, textiles, literature and music seeks to expand the way we talk about Modernism - as well as folding new and previously-overlooked artists into the conversation.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at The Wallace Collection (London)
Showing from 28th March - 26th October
Opening on the artist’s 65th birthday, Turner Prize-winner and champion of all things homemade Grayson Perry’s latest show stands out as a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary art. Closely curated with Perry himself and showcasing over 40 new works alongside masterpieces from the Wallace Collection, Delusions of Grandeur encourages its visitors to question their perceptions of authenticity and perfectionism in art, as well as keeping a sharp focus on the concept of ‘outsider art’, with works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill rounding off the display.
Lee Miller at Tate Britain (London)
Showing from 2nd October - 15th February
Describing her as “one of the 20th century's most urgent artistic voices”, Tate Britain this year will offer the most extensive career retrospective in the UK of photographer Lee Miller. From her time as a model in front of the camera to her work behind it as one of the leading figures of the avant-garde photography movement, the exhibition will cover all aspects of Miller’s career, including her work as a war photographer and her collaboration with the French Surrealists. Featuring over 250 vintage and modern prints - some never publicly displayed before, and many focusing on the lesser-known elements of her career - Lee Miller stands out as one of the most-anticipated photography exhibitions of the year.
Movements for Staying Alive at Modern Art Oxford
Showing from 28th June - 7th October
Perhaps one of the most intriguing exhibitions of the year. Inviting visitors to “celebrate the vital movements of life”, Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition is set to encourage visitors to consider the way they move, breathe, and simply exist in the world. With a focus on bodily relationships with space - as well as with other people - this exhibition encourages touch, collaboration, and most of all motion in its exploration of everyday life.
Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (Sunderland)
Showing from 22nd March - 6th July
In his latest exhibition, award-winning artist and self-proclaimed ‘Spider-Man enthusiast’ Hetain Patel won’t just be showcasing his own work. Alongside them will be responses to a nationwide open call for the public to share the results of their hobbies, for an exploration of everyday individual expression and creativity. Tackling questions of what we consider ‘art’ with a welcoming, inclusive approach, Come As You Really Are will feature hundreds of hand-made objects and looks set to be a celebration of the act of creating art.
