June in the city means sunshine (fingers crossed), long days, and, of course, incredible art. This month, enjoy exhibitions by artists such as Tavares Strachan, Rheim Alkadhi, and Zanele Muholi, alongside a retrospective of Gavin Jantjes at the Whitechapel Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts' beloved Summer Exhibition and Degree Show. Discover our top picks for 25 must-see art exhibitions opening in London this June.

Click here, for art exhibitions that opened in London in May 2024.

Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere

#FLODown: The Hayward Gallery will host There Is Light Somewhere, the first mid-career survey of the New York-based Bahamian artist, Tavares Strachan. The exhibition will showcase monumental sculptures, large-scale collages, and installations focusing on themes of cultural visibility and remembrance. Strachan celebrates unsung explorers and cultural trailblazers while questioning historical biases. Through his art, he sheds light on colonial legacies, racism, and the universal quest for belonging. 

Date: 18 June — 1 September 2024. Location: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre. Price: £18. Concessions available & Southbank Centre Members go free. Book now.

Rheim Alkadhi: Templates for Liberation

#FLODown: The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) will host the UK's inaugural exhibition of artist Rheim Alkadhi's work this summer. Alkadhi's exhibition explores the enduring impacts of war and colonialism, particularly in contemporary Iraq and the wider region. Through a combination of sculptures, historical records, and narratives of liberation, the exhibition offers a series of counterpoints to the prevailing narratives. 

Date: 11 June - 8 September 2024. Location: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) The Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5AH. Price: £6. Book now.

Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970 – 2023

#FLODown: To Be Free! is a retrospective of South African painter and printmaker Gavin Jantjes, marking his largest solo presentation in the UK. Showcasing over 100 works from more than five decades, it highlights his evolution as an artist and his significant roles as a writer, curator, and activist. The exhibition spans his early years in apartheid-era Cape Town, his influential roles in UK, German, and Norwegian art institutions, and his shift to non-figurative painting, reflecting his pursuit of artistic emancipation from Eurocentric norms. It also underscores his impact on London's cultural landscape, notably through his anti-apartheid series A South African Colouring Book and the 1986 Whitechapel Gallery exhibition From Two Worlds. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of South Africa's first free election, this retrospective offers a comprehensive view of Jantjes’s career and his role in shaping discourse on African and diasporic representation.

Date: 12 June - 1 September 2024. Location: Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX. Website: whitechapelgallery.org.

Francis Alÿs: Ricochets

#FLODown: The Barbican is set to host Ricochets, the largest UK solo exhibition of artist Francis Alÿs in nearly 15 years. The exhibition will transform the gallery into a cinematic playground, featuring Alÿs's Children's Games series, filmed over two decades in 15 countries, which highlights the universal nature of play amidst the threats of urbanisation and digital entertainment. It will also include new animation films of hand games and interactive playrooms for children. As part of a year-long programme with local schools, the exhibition reflects the Barbican area's historical legacy of play and Alÿs's focus on children's resilience in conflict zones.

Date: 27 June - 1 September 2024. Location: Barbican Art Gallery, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £18.50. Concessions available. Book now.

Anthony McCall: Solid Light

#FLODown: Tate Modern is presenting an exhibition of Solid Light installations by Anthony McCall, a British-born artist known for his innovative use of light and material film installations. The exhibition will feature four interactive solid light works, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the art and create new shapes and perspectives as they move through the translucent sculptures. The exhibition will also include film, photography, and archive material documenting McCall's early career and development of his practice, including early performances and installations such as Landscape for Fire and Room with Altered Window.

Date: 27 June 2024 – 27 April 2025. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Price: £10. Concessions available. Book now.

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2024

#FLODown: The much-loved Royal Academy Summer Exhibition returns this month for its 256th edition. Curated by Ann Christopher RA, this year's theme is ‘Making Space,’ showcasing sculptures, paintings, and textiles by invited artists and Academicians. The inspiring Architecture Rooms, curated by Assemble RA, will explore innovations in workspaces, featuring notable architects and industrial prototypes. The exhibition will also include tributes to late members and examine the intersection of art, architecture, and space-making.

Date: 18 June – 18 August 2024. Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: £22 - £24.50. Book now. 

 Zanele Muholi

#FLODown: Opening at Tate Modern, the UK survey of Zanele Muholi, a renowned visual activist and photographer, features over 260 works documenting South Africa’s Black LGBTQIA+ communities. Key series include Only Half the Picture, capturing intimate and traumatic moments, Faces and Phases, an archive of portraits challenging the viewer's gaze, Brave Beauties, celebrating non-binary and trans women, and Being, portraying couples. Muholi’s self-portraits in Somnyama Ngonyama explore themes of labour, racism, and sexual politics. The exhibition builds on Muholi's 2020-21 Tate Modern show and includes new works.

Date: 6 June 2024 – 26 January 2025. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Price: £18. Concessions available. Book now.

NAOMI

#FLODown: The V&A Museum is set to host NAOMI, a unique exhibition celebrating Naomi Campbell's 40-year career as a trailblazing British fashion model and icon. The exhibition will feature around 100 looks from top global designers, along with fashion photography curated by Edward Enninful. It will also highlight Campbell's advocacy for social change and her support for emerging creatives.

Date: 22 June 2024 - 6 April 2025. Location: V&A South, Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Price: £18. Concessions available. Book now.

 In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900-1930s

#FLODown: In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s, opening at the Royal Academy of Arts, will showcase around 70 works from renowned artists including Alexander Archipenko and Kazymyr Malevych, while lesser-known figures such as Mykhailo Boichuk and Oleksandr Bohomazov are also highlighted. The exhibition explores Ukraine's complex history and cultural identity through themes like Cubo-Futurism, theatre design, the Kultur Lige's avant-garde, and Soviet influence. It highlights Ukraine's quest for a unique artistic identity within European modernism, shedding light on an often overlooked chapter in art history.

Date: 29 June – 13 October 2024. Location: Royal Academy of Arts. Price: from £17. Concessions available. Under 16s go free. Book now.   

RA Schools Show 2024

#FLODown: The RA Schools Show is an annual exhibition featuring new works by graduating students of the Royal Academy's postgraduate programme in contemporary art, offering a unique opportunity to see bold new forms and ideas emerging from three years of intense study. The exhibition will be displayed in the newly renovated studios, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, and will showcase a wide range of artistic practices, including moving image, installation, sculpture, painting, and print. This year's show features works by artists: Ilze Aulmane, Fungai Benhura, Kevin Brennan, Rachael Crowther, Fleur Dempsey, James St Findlay, Massimiliano Gottardi, Lizzie Munn, Fischer Mustin, Tanoa Sasraku, and Norberto Spina. 

Date: 14 June - 30 June 2024. Location: Royal Academy Schools Studios and Weston Studio, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: Free. Website: royalacademy.org.uk. 

Click here to discover more art degree shows opening in London in June 2024.

Alex Israel: REMEMBR

#FLODown: American artist Alex Israel is presenting an interactive AI-powered video installation called REMEMBR at Gagosian, Davies Street. The installation uses a user's camera roll to create a two-minute "super-memory" that is edited and presented across seven large screens. The installation employs artificial intelligence to select and combine multiple categories of content, edit and synchronise it to a pop beat, and add colourful animation. The goal is to create a poignant and emotional experience for the viewer. To access the installation, users need to download an app and allow it to access their camera roll. The installation is part of Israel's ongoing exploration of pop culture, celebrity, and influence in the digital age.

Date: 6 Jun-13 Jul 2024. Location: Gagosian, Davies Street, 17–19 Davies Street London W1K 3DE. Price: Free.

Galli: So, So, So

#FLODown:  THIS EXHIBITION IS ON HOLD. NEW DATE TBC. So, So, So marks Galli's debut UK solo exhibition, showcasing her diverse works from paintings to drawings. Despite initial success in the 1980s, Galli's art gained recent attention for its powerful commentary on corporeality. Raised in post-war Germany, her artistic training in West Berlin deeply influenced her expressive yet disciplined style. Her works challenge traditional interpretations with anti-heroic figures and ambiguous narratives drawing from mythology and personal experiences. Later pieces explore domestic spaces, blurring boundaries between safety and confinement. Unlike her Neue Wilde contemporaries, Galli's art incorporates textual elements in a Dadaist fashion, reflecting her unique artistic journey.  

Date: 21 June ­– 9 September 2024. Location: Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, St James’, New Cross, London SE14 6AD. Price: Free. Website: goldsmithscca.art.

Before Freedom Pt. 2: The Revolution Cannot Be Built on Dreams Alone: Adam Rouhana

#FLODown: TJ Boulting presents a solo exhibition by Palestinian-American artist Adam Rouhana. Titled Before Freedom Pt.2, the show features new work from 2024, inspired by the fertility of Palestinian land and the vibrancy of spring. Rouhana utilises photography to challenge historical narratives, politics, and reality itself, aiming to expand notions of subjectivity. Curated by Lobna Sana, the exhibition continues Rouhana's ongoing exploration started in Before Freedom (2022- ongoing). With international attention from social media and press coverage, the work offers a description of life in Palestine today. 

Date: 1 - 22 June 2024. Location: TJ Boulting, 59 Riding House St, London W1W 7EG. Price: Free. Website: tjboulting.com.

23rd Serpentine Pavilion by Minsuk Cho

#FLODown: Minsuk Cho's vision for the 23rd Serpentine Pavilion, titled Archipelagic Void, breaks from tradition by decentralising the structure, turning the centre into an open space. The Pavilion comprises five distinct 'islands' of varying sizes and forms, connected by a central void. These timber structures, supported by adaptable footings, are strategically positioned around the lawn, reminiscent of traditional Korean houses with central courtyards. Each island serves a different purpose, from housing a gallery featuring a multi-channel sound installation to hosting a library of unread books. Other structures include an auditorium for public gatherings, a play tower for interactive experiences, and a tea house paying homage to the site's history. Cho's design encourages engagement with both nature and cultural exchange.  

Date: 7 June – 27 October 2024. Location: Serpentine, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA. Price: Free. Website: serpentinegalleries.org.

Karoliina Hellberg: Labyrinth 

#FLODown: Elizabeth Xi Bauer presents Labyrinth by Karoliina Hellberg, her debut solo exhibition in the UK. Known for dynamic canvases intertwining recurring imagery and symbols, Hellberg creates ethereal landscapes where reality blends with fantasy. This exhibition showcases her exploration of metaphysical and psychological themes, often portraying intimate interiors and enchanting gardens. Through her paintings, Hellberg evokes intricate narratives, inviting viewers on a journey of interpretation and discovery.

Date: 7 June – 3 August 2024. Location: Fuel Tank, 8-12 Creekside, London, SE8 3DX.  Price: Free. Website: elizabethxibauer.com.

 Discover Degas and Miss La La

#FLODown: The National Gallery's 'Discover' series will showcase Degas's 1879 masterpiece Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, highlighting the exceptional acrobat Anna Albertine Olga Brown, also known as Miss La La. The exhibition will unveil new insights into her life and career, presenting unseen photographs and emphasising her unique European and African-American heritage. It will feature a significant collection of Degas's preparatory drawings, including recently discovered sketches. Additionally, the exhibition will explore Degas's uncommon representations of people of African American heritage and examine how the painting influenced British art in the 1920s.

Date: 
6 June – 1 September 2024. Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Price: Free. Website: nationalgallery.org.uk. 

Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking

#FLODown: This upcoming exhibition will showcase the artworks of the renowned Yoshida family, spanning three generations: Hiroshi, Fujio, Tōshi, Hodaka, Chizuko, and Ayomi. It will be the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, highlighting the legacy of these woodblock print artists and the evolution of Japanese printmaking over two centuries. Many works by Hiroshi Yoshida will be featured, including pieces on loan from Japan's Fukuoka Art Museum making their UK debut. The exhibition will culminate in a stunning cherry blossom installation by Ayomi Yoshida.  

Date: 19 June – 3 November 2024. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD. Price: £20, concessions available. Book now.

Laila Tara H: 2002

#FLODown: Laila Tara H's solo exhibition at Cooke Latham explores the dynamic relationship between domestic and public spheres. Through an immersive installation, viewers are guided through a journey that blurs the boundaries between home and the external environment. Central to the exhibit are two striking paintings: one featuring tulips, symbolising a sense of controlled escapism, while the other depicts women amidst flames, embodying themes of anger and resilience. Reflective of modern life's integration of technology and its impact on public and private domains, the exhibition delves into notions of self-presentation and surveillance across both realms.  

Date: 20 June - 19 July 2024. Location: Cooke Latham Gallery, 41 Parkgate Rd, London SW11 4NP. Price: Free.

The Alchemy of Heritage: An Afrological Sound Art Experience

#FLODown: London-born composer Marisse Cato's sound installation at the National Trust property 575 Wandsworth Road celebrates the magic of Afrodiasporic culture, blending art, sound, and heritage. The installation explores artistic cultural connectivity and displacement in a globalised world. As part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Cato aims to create 'sonic empathy' between music genres, emphasising the in-betweenness of human experience through the fusion of sonic elements.

Date: 7 - 9 June 2024. Location: 575 Wandsworth Road, Lambeth, London, SW8 3JD. Price: £10. Book now.

Entheon: A Sanctuary of Visionary Art

#FLODown: Entheon: A Sanctuary of Visionary Art, an exhibition by Alex Grey and Allyson Grey, presented by Illusionaries, delves into consciousness, perception, and the human spirit. This showcase offers a 360-degree immersive environment, a mirrored room, and a tranquil meditation garden, guiding visitors on a journey to uncover the visionary perspectives of these artists.  

Date: from 14 June 2024. Location: Illusionaries, Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AR. Price: from £24/£17 adult/teens. Concessions available. Book now.

 Lina Iris Viktor: Solar Angels & Lunar Lords

#FLODown: Pilar Corrias presents Lina Iris Viktor's debut solo exhibition, Solar Angels & Lunar Lords, marking her departure from narrative painting towards formal experimentation. Viktor integrates West African cultural references using ethically-sourced materials, crafting sculptures that bridge historical and geographical boundaries. Her works challenge viewers to ponder eternity and their place in the continuum of existence. Concurrently, Viktor will debut an exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum in July. The exhibition, Mythic Time / Tens of Thousands of Rememberings, will explore connections between her sculptures and the museum's architecture, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and historical periods.

Date: 5 June –13 July 2024. Location: Pilar Corrias, 51 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2YT. Price: Free.

Anthropophonia: Theresa Weber and Nathanael Amadou Kliebhan

#FLODown: Anthropophonia introduces the inaugural exhibition of the artist duo Theresa Weber and Nathanael Amadou Kliebhan. Through the mediums of sound, sculptural installations, and performance, they explore the fluidity and continuous transformation of their experiences as Afro-German artists. Their work delves into the complexities of self-perception versus external viewpoints, confronts historical whitewashing, and advocates for the creation of anti-hierarchical spaces.  

Date: 1 June  – 13 July 2024. Location: Studio'/Chapple, Enclave 7, 50 Resolution Way, London,SE8 4NT. Price: Free.  

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Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW)

#FLODown: Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) presents its seventh annual Public Art Trail, featuring sculptures, installations, and murals across nine zones. The trail showcases twenty-five sculptures by artists including Yoni Alter, Simone Brewster, Charlotte Colbert, Gillie and Marc, and others. Highlights include interactive works, a children's sculpture trail, and site-specific installations exploring themes of love, conservation, and identity. The festival also includes collaborative projects, Open Studio weekends, local trails, poetry circles, and an Art Bus tour. 

Date: 20-30 June 2024. Location: Chelsea and Kensington. Website: kcaw.co.uk.  

Floating Architectural Spaces: Francesco Vitali & Alec Boreham

#FLODown: In Floating Architectural Spaces, Alec & Franz delve into the influence of architecture on wellbeing. Their collaboration celebrates historic landmarks as timeless symbols of identity, showcased through intricate drawings and prints. The exhibition coincides with the London Festival of Architecture.

Date: 4 – 8 June 2024. Location: Bermondsey Project Space, 183-185 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW. Price: Free.

Irini Bachlitzanaki: The Consolation of Imaginary Things

#FLODown: IONE & MANN presents The Consolation of Imaginary Things, a solo exhibition by Irini Bachlitzanaki. Over two years, Irini has delved into the cultural and personal significance of objects through wall-based sculptures inspired by design, décor, and domestic interiors. She explores how objects evoke emotions and serve as extensions of the self within supportive structures. By reinterpreting familiar forms, she introduces multi-sensory comfort tactics and rituals using materiality and relief sculpture. The exhibition is complemented by the short story The Drawing Board by Georgia Stephenson.

Date: 31 May – 13 July 2024. Location: IONE & MANN, 1st Floor, 6 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XE. Price: Free. Website: ioneandmann.com.

Click here to discover more must-see exhibitions opening in London this summer.