10 art exhibitions to see in London this week: 29 April - 5 May 2024

Discover our top pick of art exhibitions to see in London this week:

Robert Rauschenberg ROCI

Thaddaeus Ropac presents an exhibition highlighting Robert Rauschenberg's trailblazing Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI), undertaken from 1984 to 1991. Dubbed 'Rocky' after his beloved turtle, ROCI aimed to foster cultural exchange through art, reflecting Rauschenberg's belief in art's capacity for social impact. The exhibition showcases an array of artworks, including canvases, sculptures, cardboard pieces, neon lights, and textiles, alongside archival materials. Many ROCI works are displayed publicly for the first time since the project's conclusion, offering a nuanced exploration of this influential artistic initiative.

Date: 24 April—15 June 2024. Location: Thaddaeus Ropac Ely House, London 37 Dover Street, London, W1S 4NJ. Price: Free.

Robert Rauschenberg, Caryatid Cavalcade I : ROCI CHILE, 1985. Silkscreen ink, acrylic and graphite on canvas. 352.2 x 655.6 cm (138.66 x 258.11 in). © Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.

Andrew Omoding: Animals to Remember Uganda

Camden Art Centre presents a major solo exhibition by Andrew Omoding, known for his autobiographical artworks blending salvaged materials with metalwork, music, and video. Drawing from his childhood memories in Uganda and experiences as a refugee, Omoding's installations reflect on home, migration, and neurodivergence. Music influences his rhythmic approach, while his striking sculptures invite audience reflection.

Date: 26 April - 23 June 2024. Location: Camden Art Centre, Arkwright Rd, London NW3 6DG. Price: Free.

Animals to Remember Uganda by Andrew Omoding at Camden Art Centre. Photo by MTotoe.

Jane Emburey: all things are full of gods

IONE & MANN is showcasing all things are full of gods., a solo exhibition by Jana Emburey. The exhibition explores themes of life, renewal, and the connection between nature, humanity, and the cosmos. Using thousands of hand-drawn ink circles on Japanese Kōzo paper, Emburey creates intricate compositions that capture the essence of living organisms and the vastness of the universe. Inspired by her experiences in the Scottish Highlands, Emburey's artwork celebrates the wonders of nature while reminding us of the divine in our everyday lives.

Date: 26 April - 23 May 2024. Location: IONE & MANN, 1st Floor, 6 Conduit St, London W1S 2XE. Price: Free.

Younes Ben Slimane, Images de Tunisie, 2024, Images de Tunisie, Zaha Hadid Foundation, London, United Kingdom, 2024 © Younes Ben Slimane. Installation photograph by Ben Westoby.

Younès Ben Slimane: Images de Tunisie

The Zaha Hadid Foundation introduces Younès Ben Slimane's debut solo exhibition in the UK, Images de Tunisie offers an intimate portrayal of Tunisia's architectural landscape, combining archival footage with contemporary scenes from locations like Matmata and Douiret. Ben Slimane, a Tunisian artist and filmmaker based in Paris, employs his architectural background to capture the essence of places through film. Commissioned by ZHF, his work explores cultural hybridity and interdisciplinary themes in architecture and the built environment.

Date: 11 April 2024 – 29 June 2024. Location: Zaha Hadid Foundation, 10 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0BQ. Price: Free.

Matthew Krishanu: The Bough Breaks

This major solo exhibition presents new works by Matthew Krishanu, featuring paintings and works on paper. Krishanu paints atmospheric compositions inspired by his childhood in Bangladesh, exploring themes of childhood, religion, race, and empire. Influenced by artists like El Greco and Gwen John, his work examines how Western art shapes perceptions of race and gender. Titled "The Bough Breaks," the exhibition draws from his recent series "On a Limb," portraying vulnerability beneath the banyan tree's branches. Krishanu's practice intertwines personal narratives with painterly concerns, offering viewers multiple entry points for interpretation.

Date: 26 April - 23 June 2024. Location: Camden Art Centre, Arkwright Rd, London NW3 6DG. Price: Free. Website: camdenartcentre.org.

Accordion Fields

Accordion Fields is a cross-generational group exhibition at Lisson Gallery, showcasing works by eight artists with roots in the city's prominent arts schools. Spanning thirty years, the artists have navigated socio-political shifts, reflecting on London's evolving relationship with the world. The exhibition's title symbolises expansion and compression, mirroring the artists' geographic and compositional approaches. Their works explore indeterminate notions of space, ranging from densely layered landscapes to composite re-imaginings of historical events.

Date: 23 February 2024 – 4 May 2024. Location: Lisson Gallery, 27 Bell Street, London, NW1 5BY. Price: Free.

SKATEBOARD at Design Museum.Until 19 May 2024. Photo by MTotoe.

SKATEBOARD 

Don't miss your final chance to see SKATEBOARD at the Design Museum. This unique exhibition, curated and designed by Jonathan Olivares, traces the evolution of skateboard design from the 1950s to the present day, showcasing rare and innovative boards alongside other skateboarding artifacts. Developed in partnership with Converse, it's the first UK exhibition to delve into skateboard design in such depth, exploring the history and cultural significance of skateboarding

Date: 20 October 2023 – 19 May 2024. Location: Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG. Price: from  £14.38/£7.19 adult/child. Book now.

Lindokuhle Sobekwa: Heart of the Garden

In his debut London exhibition Heart of the Garden, South African photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa explores the lasting impact of Apartheid on place and identity, particularly within his family history and ancestral home in the Eastern Cape. Motivated by his earlier project tracing his sister's footsteps, Sobekwa reflects on the division between rural and urban areas shaped by Apartheid's spatial planning, capturing the spiritual longing and struggle for reconciliation inherent in existing within these spaces marked by familial separation and systemic dispossession.

Date: 27 March - 8 May 2024. Location: Goodman Gallery, 26 Cork St, London W1S 3ND. Price: Free.

Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Sanele resting in field, 2021. Inject print on cotton rag.

Darren Almond: Life Line

It's the final chance to see White Cube Mason’s Yard's exhibition of new paintings by Darren Almond, offering an evocative exploration of time, duration, personal, and historical memory. Almond's multidisciplinary practice encompasses painting, film, sculpture, photography, and installation, providing a unique and compelling experience.

Date: 20 March 2024 – 4 May 2024. Location: 25-26 Mason's Yard, London, SW1Y 6BU. Price: Free.

Darren Almond Aki–Willow 2024. Copper and acrylic on linen.

Richard Kimathi: Heaven is Dry

The Almas Art Foundation presents Heaven is Dry, an exhibition of Richard Kimathi's works at the Africa Centre. This week-long celebration features a selection of Kimathi's pieces from his prolific career spanning three decades. Additionally, the exhibit marks the launch of a documentary film and publication about the artist, produced by the foundation. Kimathi's caricature-like, disconnected figures provide a compelling commentary on his community's disenfranchised population and highlight the issue of male mental health struggles.

Date: 23 April 2024 - 30 April 2024. Location: 66 Great Suffolk St, London, SE1 0BL. Website: almasartfoundation.org.