Cultural Wednesday’s Best London Exhibitions

London’s museums and galleries are awash with brilliant exhibitions this autumn. Here is Cultural Wednesday’s Best London Exhibitions Autumn 2020 with my highlights. Some blockbusters that were due to show in the Summer have moved to Autumn in addition to the gems that were already planned.

Assume that you need to book, even if entry is free you will probably need a pre-booked ticket. Click on the blue words to be taken to the museum booking sites.

British Library

Unfinished Business: The Fight for Women’s Rights until 1 August 2021

Boy do I have a rich stash of stories to tell about things that happened to women in the workplace back in the last century that would make your hair stand on end.  Hopefully the worse of them would no longer be tolerated, things have moved on but there is still a long way to go.  This is the issue tackled by Unfinished Business at the British Library it looks at how much things have changed but how much further there is still to go.  Exhibits range from the first edition of Mary Wollstenecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women to a No More Page 3 T-shirt worn by Caroline Lucas MP for a debate on media sexism in 2013.

• British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 6pm
• Admission: Adults £15
• members go free

British Museum

No starting dates yet but everything you ever wanted to know about Thomas Becket and how he became a saint is coming soon

• British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
• Open: Daily 10am -5pm (8.30pm on Friday)
• Tantra: Adults £15
• Arctic: Adults £18
• Members go free

Foundling Museum

The Covid Letters until 11 April 2021

Way back in March Boris Johnson sent a letter to every household in the UK urging us to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Artist Jonny Banger invited young people aged under 16 to customise the letter. Covid Letters is a collection of 200 of these ranging from toddler scribbles to heart felt protest.

• Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ
• Open: Weekends 10am – 5pm
• Admission: Adults £10.50, under 21 free

Guildhall Art Gallery

Noël Coward: Art and Style coming soon

100 years ago Noël Coward had his West End debut at the tender age of 19, the plays and songs that he went on to create had a huge influence on art and culture beyond the stage. This exhibition looks at the glittering world which he inhabited and influenced.

• Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
• Open: Friday – Sunday 10.30am – 5pm
• Admission: Free

Imperial War Museum

Refugees and Ai Weiwei until 31 May 2021

The Imperial War Museum is always thought provoking and interesting.  An enormous Ai Weiwei installation ‘The History of Bombs’ is adorning the central atrium until 24 May 2021.  Refugees come under the spotlight in a series of three exhibitions that are on until the end of May 2021.  Refugees may dominate the headlines but they are nothing new people have fled their homes in the face of war and natural disaster for centuries, this series of timely exhibitions takes an unflinching look at a thorny issue.

• Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ
• Open: Daily 10am – 6pm
• Admission: Free

Museum of London Docklands

Havering Hoard until 18 April 2021

In 2018 a Bronze Age Hoard was discovered in by the Thames in Havering, it is largest ever found in the capital.  453 objects all tangled together, nobody knows how they came to be in Havering, it is a mystery waiting to be unravelled.  You can take a look at the swords, axe heads and assorted metal working kit at the Museum of London Docklands where it is on display until it moves into its new home at the Havering Museum.

• Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL
• Open: 11.30am – 3.30pm Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm weekends
• Admission: Free

National Gallery

Titian: Love, Desire, Death until 17 January 2021

Titian died 500 years ago this year aged only 37.  To mark the occasion the National Gallery is having a bit of reunion.  Prince Philip of Spain asked Titian to paint a series of six paintings of classical myths.  These been scattered across the globe for at least 400 years, now they are all together in the same room. 

Artemisia online for members only

Artemisia challenged convention by becoming a successful artist in the 17th century.  Not only was she successful she also defied the tradition of depicting women as meek creatures.  Her women are strong and in control.  More importantly they actually look like women rather than some male fantasy of a woman.  A brilliant show. National Gallery members can view the show online

Sensing the Unseen  Step into Gossaerts Adoration until 13 June 2021

Just in time for Christmas the National Gallery has an interactive immersive exploration of Gossaerts Adoration.  We are promised sound, video and in depth exploration of this 500 year old depiction of the Three Kings.  The exhibition will be in Room 1, right next to the shop, and free.

• National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN
• Open: from 7th July daily 11am – 4pm
• Titian: Love, Desire, Death tickets from £8
• Artemisia tickets from £20
• Sin and Gossaerts Adoration: Free

National Army Museum

Germany Foe – Friend until 1 July 2021

In 1945 Germany was a defeated foe in the 75 years that followed more than a million British soldiers served in Germany.  When they left Germany was one of our staunchest allies.  This exhibition looks at the lives of the British soldiers in Germany and the changing nature of their role.

• National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HT
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10.30am – 3.30pm
• Admission: Free

National Maritime Museum

Exposure Lives at Sea opens 20 November 2020

We rely on the sea to supply us with food, the transport goods and services, for energy and yet all that most of us ever see is the waves gently lapping on our holiday beach.  Exposure Lives at Sea takes us on a photographic journey on board fishing boats, oil rigs and deep under water.  

• National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF
• Open daily: 10.30am – 4pm
• Admission: Free

Natural History Museum

Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature until August 2021

Find out how real animals have inspired mythical beasts and legends and celebrate how real life explorers have discovered new plants and animals. Book ahead, this has been postponed from the Spring and looks to be extremely popular.

• Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
• Open: Daily 10am – 6pm
• Admission: Adult £22

Pitzhanger Manor

Hogarth: London Voices, London Lives until 31 December 2020

Sir John Soane builder of Pitzhanger Manor bought William Hogarth’s series of painting The Rakes Progress to hang in the house. Now for the first time in 200 years they are back but this time accompanied seven contemporary artists to give commentary on live in London today.

• Pitzhanger Manor, Mattock Lane, Ealing W5 5EQ
• Open: Thursday – Sunday 11am – 7pm
• Admission: Adults £7.70, under 18 free

Queens Gallery

Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace until 31 January 2022

Buckingham Palace houses one of the greatest art collections in the world.  The Queen has got the decorators in next year and so the paintings from the Picture Gallery are moving next door to the Queen’s Gallery where we can all see it.  Expect Titian, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Jan Steen, Van Dyck and Canaletto among others.

• Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace SW1A 1AA
• Open: Thursday – Monday 10.30pm – 4.45pm
• Admission: Adults £16
• Have your ticket stamped and it becomes an annual pass

Royal Academy

David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 opens 23 May 2021

Where were you last Spring? David Hockney was in Normandy with his iPad. Inspired by the burgeoning blossoms he created over 100 new works celebrating Spring. Once we are allowed back into Galleries this will be a popular show, probably best to book now.

Tracey Emin/Edvard Munch until 1 August 2021

Tracey Emin has been fascinated by Edvard Munch since she was a teenager.  She has chosen works by Munch to hang alongside her most recent paintings.  Both artists are masters at exploring the dark reaches of the soul, the perfect show for now when we are all having time to reflect and soul search.

• Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD
• Open: 10am – 6pm
• Tracey Emin/Edvard Munch:  Adults £19
• David Hockney: Adults £19
• Members go free

Tate Britain

Turner’s Modern World until 12 September 2021

We are all familiar with the Impressionists but way before them J M W Turner was using swirls of paint to create an impression of the world.  He lived at the peak of the industrial revolution.  Everywhere he looked the world was changing; sailing boats become steam ships, the railway started to criss cross the countryside and factories were opening up. 

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Fly in League with the Night until 31 May 2021

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye specialises in portraits of imaginary people, how fantastic is that. They spring from her imagination and experience. In imagining people she challenges our perception of identity and representation.

• Tate Britain, Millbank SW1P 4RG
• Open: Daily 10am – 6pm
• Turner’s Modern World: Adults £22
• Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Adults £13
• Members go free

Tate Modern

Fons Americanus until 7 February 2021 

Kara Walker’s vast fountain fills the Turbine Hall.  Taking its inspiration from the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace in form and scale it explores the interconnected histories of Africa, America and Europe.  Beautiful, thought provoking and free.

• Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
• Open: Daily 10am – 6pm
• Members free

V&A

Filthy Lucre: Whistlers Peacock Room Reimagined until 11 April 2021

Whistler created the Peacock room just a few hundred yards away from the V&A without the owner of the house knowing.  The pair fell out over it.  Now the room is safely installed in the Freer Gallery in Washington.  This installation lovingly recreates room plus a bit of decay, adds a booming sound track and is fully immersive.  Sounds a little left field?  Don’t worry it is free and you might love it.

Bags: Inside Out opens 12 September 2021

The search for the perfect bag is never ending, even if you do find THE perfect one it wears out and you spend decades looking for its clone … just me?  I suspect that the queue for this exhibition devoted to bags in general but handbags in particular will long … book your tickets now.  Even now I am excited about the wonders that the exhibition shop contains.

Alice: Curious and Curiouser until 21 December 2021

No opening date yet for this much delayed exhibition. Alice in Wonderland was one of my favourite books growing up, the worlds and possibilities that it presented were glorious to me. When it eventually opens this show promises to be immersive and theatrical following the way that the book has influenced books, fashion, theatre and film. Can’t wait.

• Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
• Open: Wednesday– Sunday 11am – 7pm 
• Handags: Adults £12
• Alice: £20
• Filthy Lucre: Free
• Members free 

Whitechapel Gallery

Nalini Malani: Can You Hear Me? Until 6 June 2021

Nine projectors beam a series of short animations on the brick walls of the Whitechapel, the themes are often dark and brutal but the overall effect is mesmerising.

• Whitechapel Gallery, 77 – 82 Whitechapel Road E1 7QX
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 6pm
• Admission: Free booking required

Whilst I am out and about stopping for refreshment at some of the excellent London Museum Cafés is always a pleasure. Membership or Friendship of most of the galleries and museums will get you into the exhibitions for free as often as you like, take a look at my guide to London Museum Membership for a full run down. Membership of the Art Fund will get you into many of the special exhibitions for half price.