Art exhibitions in London this April are a cultural treat, brimming with creativity and thought-provoking displays. From powerful portraits and provocative sculptures to immersive digital worlds and fashion-forward nostalgia, the city’s galleries and museums offer something truly inspiring. Whether you’re a devoted art lover or simply looking for a fresh experience, these seven dazzling exhibitions are a must-see this spring.
Barbara Walker: Being Here
Arnolfini, Bristol
March 8 – May 25, 2025
Barbara Walker brings her signature bold, figurative style to Bristol’s Arnolfini in her first major survey show. Being Here spans three decades of work focused on themes of identity, belonging, and Black British experience. Her large-scale, hand-drawn portraits command attention and empathy, speaking volumes about visibility, heritage, and humanity. A powerful and personal must-see.
For more, visit here
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
Design Museum, London
Now – August 17, 2025
Take a deep dive into the fashionable side of swimming with this joyful celebration at the Design Museum. Splash! explores a century of swimwear, beach culture, and water-loving style—from vintage lidos to Baywatch’s iconic red one-piece. Expect a riot of colors, cheeky trunks, and even a nod to Wes Anderson’s pastel-tinted aesthetics. Whether you’re a poolside lounger or wild swimmer, this exhibition captures the spirit and swagger of swim culture
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Ed Atkins
Tate Britain, London
Now – August 25, 2025**
Step into the uncanny digital worlds of Ed Atkins, where CGI avatars confront the anxieties of modern life. This career-spanning exhibition blurs the line between virtual and real, offering deeply introspective commentary on technology, identity, and emotion. It’s surreal, challenging, and occasionally unsettling—but always powerful. A must for fans of digital art and contemporary culture.
For more, visit here
Maurizio Cattelan: Bones
Gagosian, Davies Street, London
April 8 – May 24, 2025**
Opening just this week, Bones is a fierce and provocative new exhibition by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan. Known for toeing the line between irreverence and reverence, Cattelan presents sculptures made from Carrara marble, 24-karat gold, and—yes—bullet holes. Each piece feels like a confrontation: between life and death, destruction and luxury, satire and sincerity. It’s explosive (sometimes literally) and bound to get people talking.
For more, visit here
Nora Turato: pool7
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London
April 9 – June 8, 2025**
Language takes center stage in Nora Turato’s gripping UK solo debut. Known for turning overheard phrases, media buzzwords, and online chatter into dynamic visual and performance art, Turato transforms the ICA into a pulsating hub of sound, text, and design. Her newest work is site-specific and deeply rooted in our everyday speech—unfiltered, sharp, and oh-so-now.
For more, visit here
Sony World Photography Awards 2025
Somerset House, London
April 17 – May 5, 2025**
Okay, this one starts just after April 15, but it’s too dazzling to ignore. The Sony World Photography Awards return with more than 300 stunning photographs from across the globe. From raw photojournalism to mesmerizing nature shots, this exhibition is a lens into our world’s beauty, complexity, and vulnerability. If you’re a visual storyteller—or just love a good photo—bookmark this one.
For more, visit here
Antony Gormley: WITNESS – Early Lead Works
White Cube Mason’s Yard, London
April 23 – June 8, 2025**
Before creating towering figures of steel, Antony Gormley was exploring the physical and metaphysical through the dense weight of lead. WITNESS revisits the sculptor’s early experiments from the 1970s to 1990s, where bodily form and material merged to raise questions about existence, presence, and space. These intimate early pieces reveal the foundations of one of Britain’s most influential artists.
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To see the best art exhibitions around the world in 2025, visit here.
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