In 2025, London’s art scene offers an exciting array of must-see exhibitions. The city’s leading galleries showcase groundbreaking contemporary artists, iconic historical works, and fresh perspectives that push boundaries. Discover the surreal creations of Ithell Colquhoun at Tate Britain, experience Jenny Saville’s powerful intensity at the National Portrait Gallery, and dive into the vibrant works of Rachel Jones at Dulwich Picture Gallery. These top 7 must-see art exhibitions in London promise a rich cultural journey through the best and most innovative art of the year.
Ithell Colquhoun: ‘Between Worlds’ at Tate Britain
1 Feb – 5 May 2025
If you have been caught up in the witchcraft and mystical trends sweeping through pop culture, Tate Britain has the perfect exhibition for you. Ithell Colquhoun, the radical surrealist and practising occultist, used myth, magic, and the divine feminine to create mesmerizing art that blends the mystical with the surreal. Through her paintings, drawings, and Tarot interpretations, Colquhoun explored realms where art and the occult meet. This major show promises to take you on an unforgettable journey into her visionary world.
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Jenny Saville: ‘The Anatomy of Painting’ at the National Portrait Gallery
20 Jun – 7 Sep 2025
This summer, immerse yourself in the world of one of contemporary art’s most powerful voices, Jenny Saville, at the National Portrait Gallery. The Anatomy of Painting offers an immersive look at 50 works spanning her career, showcasing her groundbreaking approach to the human form. From her celebrated early nudes to new, vibrant portraits exploring the intersection of the physical and virtual, Saville’s art challenges conventions and ignites fresh conversations about beauty, identity, and the body. Be sure to experience this vibrant exhibition that celebrates her bold and visceral artistic vision.
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Rachel Jones at Dulwich Picture Gallery
10 Jun – Oct 19 2025
Rachel Jones will bring her emotive, boundary-pushing art to Dulwich Picture Gallery in her first solo exhibition in the main space. Known for her exploration of identity and emotion, Jones creates visceral, colourful works that invite viewers into her world of abstraction and expression. Using layered oil sticks, pastels, and symbolic motifs like the mouth, her pieces evoke a dialogue between the self and the unspoken. With a vibrant fusion of colour and texture, Jones’ latest works promise an immersive experience that speaks to the heart of human emotion and inner identity.
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‘Radical Harmony’ at the National Gallery
13 Sep 2025 – 8 Feb 2026
“Radical Harmony” explores the Neo-Impressionist movement through key works from Helene Kröller-Müller’s renowned collection. Featuring masterpieces by Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Théo van Rysselberghe, and others, the exhibition will showcase how these artists reshaped art using pointillism to capture harmony and modern life during the Industrial Age. Iconic works like Seurat’s Le Chahut, along with key loans, reveal the political and social undertones of the movement, showcasing its aim to transcend reality and portray the struggles of the working class. This exhibition offers a deep insight into Neo-Impressionism’s lasting impact on art and society.
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Kerry James Marshall at the Royal Academy of Arts
20 Sep 2025 – 18 Jan 2026
This major retrospective of Kerry James Marshall will bring together 70 works, including a new series created specifically for the exhibition, alongside his renowned sculptures and large-scale figurative paintings. A champion of Black representation, Marshall places Black figures at the heart of his vibrant, lyrical works, drawing on diverse influences from his childhood, art history, contemporary culture, and science fiction. The exhibition explores themes of memory, history, and social identity, with Marshall using his distinctive approach to comment on the past and envision brighter, more inclusive futures. This comprehensive show, organized thematically, includes the artist’s iconic works and his evolving sculpture Wake, offering a deep dive into one of the most important voices in contemporary art today.
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Gilbert and George: ‘21st Century Pictures’ at the Hayward Gallery
7 Oct 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
This bold exhibition highlights Gilbert & George’s radical exploration of modern life, showcasing new works created since the start of the 21st century. With their signature provocative style, the duo uses stark, single-word titles to tackle themes of sex, religion, corruption, death, and societal taboos. Featuring iconic series like NEW HORNY PICTURES (2001), THE LONDON PICTURES (2011), and THE CORPSING PICTURES (2022), this exhibition challenges boundaries and confronts uncomfortable truths about the world we live in. It’s a fearless and uncompromising look at the human condition, with each work pushing the limits of taste and tradition.
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‘Nigerian Modernism’ at Tate Modern
8 Oct 2025 – 11 May 2026
Nigerian Modernism celebrates the innovative artists who revolutionized Nigerian art in the mid-20th century, during the cultural upheaval of independence. The exhibition explores the vibrant networks of artists from Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos, and Enugu, extending to international hubs like London, Munich, and Paris. Through groundbreaking groups such as the Zaria Art Society and the Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club, these artists merged African, Nigerian, and European influences to create dynamic, transformative works. Featuring over 50 artists, including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali, and Ben Enwonwu, this exhibition presents a powerful fusion of painting, sculpture, textiles, and poetry that reflects the diverse spirit of post-colonial creativity.
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To see the best art exhibitions around the world in 2025, visit here.
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