Best art exhibitions, London, 2019
From Diane Arbus at the Hayward Gallery to Tim Walker at the Victoria and Albert Museum, these are the exhibitions that dazzled us this year
Cindy Sherman, National Portrait Gallery ★★★★★
Witty, insightful and sometimes dark, Cindy Sherman's exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery was arguably the biggest hit of the summer. And we absolutely loved it.
Read more ...Diane Arbus: in the beginning, Hayward Gallery ★★★★★
Diane Arbus captured the lives of those living on the fringes, the sideshow and circus acts, the drag queens and contortionists, and treated them no differently than the well-to-do couples strolling through Central Park. We were captivated by this exhibition.
Read more ...Review: Only Human: Photographs by Martin Parr, National Portrait Gallery ★★★★★
What does it mean to be British? What does it mean to be human, for that matter? Documentary photographer Martin Parr has dedicated his career to finding out and we couldn't get enough of the results.
Read more ...Pre-Raphaelite Sisters, National Portrait Gallery ★★★★★
This exhibition tells the story of 12 women who were instrumental in the success of the Pre-Raphaelites. Hitherto unseen paintings, manuscripts and photographs from collections across the world bring to light the overlooked role these women played in the development of one of Britain's most famous artistic movements.
Read more ...Nam June Paik exhibition, Tate Modern ★★★★★
Born in Korea, Nam June Paik (1932 –2006) became one of the leading international lights of electronic art in the 20th century. This exhibition celebrates his extraordinary achievements.
Read more ...Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, Saatchi Gallery ★★★★★
Everyone has heard of Tutankhamun, the boy king, whose tomb was discovered by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Now you can get to know him better in this show-stopping exhibition.
Read more ...Troy: Myth and Reality, British Museum ★★★★★
This is an epic exhibition, befitting an epic tale. The story of Troy is one of love, tragedy and heroism and it has influenced art for millennia. This show delves into Homer's most influential work and how it has impacted art through the ages.
Read more ...Dora Maar exhibition, Tate Modern ★★★★★
Dora Maar (1907–1997) was a French-born photographer and painter with an eye for the unusual. Tate Modern's retrospective delves into her visionary art and her extraordinary life.
Read more ...William Blake: The Artist, Tate Britain ★★★★★
As one of Britain's most famous cultural figures, William Blake is known as a prolific poet, a radical political thinker and a technically innovative visual artist. This momentous exhibition spans his entire career and is one for Blake experts and casual fans alike.
Read more ...Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition, Design Museum ★★★★★
The Design Museum's packed exhibition exploring one of cinema's most iconic auteurs saw film fans flock to see this show. Stanley Kubrick's dark and surreal worlds were brought to life through film posters, memorabilia and design. And the critics loved it.
Read more ...Leonardo Da Vinci art exhibition: A Life in Drawing, The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace ★★★★★
They don't come any bigger than Leonardo da Vinci. Packed with drawings from the entirety of the master's career, this stunning exhibition was a real crowd-pleaser.
Read more ...Olafur Eliasson, Tate Modern ★★★★★
Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson is one of the most prominent contemporary artists working today. This immersive exhibition continues to draw in the crowds until 5 January.
Read more ...Tim Walker exhibition: V&A ★★★★★
This magical exhibition of Tim Walker's designs was so popular, that the V&A extended the run to 8 March. We loved this exhibition for its theatricality and imagination.
Read more ...Bridget Riley exhibition, Hayward Gallery ★★★★★
Bridget Riley's op-art paintings move in front of your very eyes. This exhibition has been hailed for its boldness and scale. On until 26, it is one not to be missed.
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