Art and Photography Exhibitions to See in London Right Now

A Blockbuster Month for Art Lovers

London in June is positively humming with visual delights. Whether you're drawn to celestial-inspired installations, modernist sculpture, or boundary-pushing photography, the capital's galleries and museums are serving up an extraordinary selection of exhibitions this month. Here's your guide to the unmissable shows currently on display.

Major Art Exhibitions

M.C. Escher: The Exhibition at Somerset House

Impossible staircases, mind-bending tessellations, and visual paradoxes await at this highly anticipated show. Running from 5 June to 6 September 2026, this major retrospective brings together over 150 original works by the Dutch master, marking his first dedicated London exhibition. The exhibition guides visitors through Escher's major themes—landscapes, metamorphoses, and those iconic impossible constructions—with interactive displays designed for both adults and children.

Anish Kapoor at the Hayward Gallery

As part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme, this landmark exhibition marks Kapoor's highly-anticipated return to the Hayward after it became the first UK public gallery to host a major survey of his work in 1998. Expect monumental new works that defy the boundaries of sculpture alongside seminal pieces.

Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern

Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the career and legacy of the Mexican artist, running until January 2027. This ambitious exhibition is a must-see for anyone fascinated by one of the 20th century's most iconic artistic figures.

Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern

This evocative 40-year retrospective runs until 31 August 2026 and spans the Turner Prize-nominated artist's vast repertoire—from her iconic My Bed (1998) to stark personal works depicting her experiences with illness and survival.

James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain

The first major European exhibition of Whistler's work in 30 years showcases the Victorian painter who rewrote many of the rules of art. Through his landscapes of London and Paris, you'll discover his remarkable ability to transform urban scenes into visual harmony. Running until 27 September, tickets start from £24.

The Sun and The Moon at Saatchi Gallery

Opening 5 June and running until 8 September, this exhibition unfolds as a journey through a complete 24-hour cycle—moving from dawn through daylight to the depths of night—with each gallery representing a different time of day. A celebration of how artists have drawn inspiration from our celestial companions.

Photography Highlights

Japanese Women Photographers at The Photographers' Gallery

Opening 24 June and running until 27 September, this landmark exhibition reframes the history of Japanese photography through the voices of 27 women working from the 1950s to today. Spanning identity, pop culture, fashion and everyday life, the show celebrates internationally renowned photographers alongside those long overlooked. Tickets are £12, with free entry on Fridays after 5pm.

Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai at Japan House London

Running from 3 June to 18 October 2026, this free exhibition presents work by two significant Japanese photographers whose practices are markedly different, offering an evolving view of Japan's identity through decades of work.

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

Opening 4 June, this retrospective celebrates the Hollywood icon's 100th birthday in association with the Marilyn Monroe estate. The exhibition explores her life and legacy through portraits by some of the greatest photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold, and Richard Avedon.

John Riddy: Winter Landscape at Frith Street Gallery

Running until 25 June, this free exhibition showcases photographs that capture London at its moody best. John Riddy's precise images of shifting skies, the glinting Thames, and fleeting moments of urban life draw on Dutch winter scenes and Impressionism.

Free Gems and Gallery Weekends

London Gallery Weekend (5–7 June)

Over 120 galleries across the capital open their doors for three days of exhibitions, talks, and performances—all completely free.

David Hockney at the Serpentine

Arguably the best free art exhibition in the city, bringing his celebrated 90-metre-long frieze A Year in Normandie to London for the first time, alongside new iPad paintings. Open until August.

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

The newly opened centre in Clerkenwell launches with three state-of-the-art galleries. The debut exhibitions include 100 works by Blake himself examining theatrical traditions, plus shows exploring British-Sri Lankan illustrator MURUGIAH and queer depictions in comics.

Make the Most of Your Visit

With so many exceptional shows competing for your attention, consider exploring London's art scene with a local guide who can provide context, insider knowledge, and help you navigate between venues efficiently. A knowledgeable guide can illuminate connections between artists and movements, enriching your gallery-hopping experience immeasurably.

Whether you have an afternoon or an entire week, London's current exhibition landscape rewards the curious visitor with world-class art at every turn. Happy viewing!