London's art scene is thriving again and this summer’s exhibitions certainly won't disappoint!  

Whether you’re interested in thought-provoking art, tackling climate issues, are a fan of luxury jewellers Tiffany’s & Co, or attend the annual Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition religiously, London is bursting with creativity and inspiring exhibitions. We have put together a round up of our favourite seven exhibitions that you must see this summer.

Vision & Virtuosity by Tiffany & Co. 

Where: Saatchi Gallery 

When: 10 June – 19 August 2022

Price: Free 

#FLODown: In celebration of 150 years in London, Tiffany & Co.’s bring together an exhibition that features over 400 objects from the House’s archives that will provide a visual chronicle of the storied jeweller since its founding in New York City in 1837, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through everything from archival high jewellery designs, Tiffany’s famed window displays and its recently acquired Empire Diamond of over 80 carats to important relics of popular culture such as the original script from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Click here for more.

 Tickets are free and can only be booked via the ‘Tiffany & Co app available on iOS and Google Play app stores.

 Location:

 Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4RY

Opening hours: 

Monday-Sunday: 10am-6pm, last entry: 5:30pm

Our Time on Earth

Where: The Curve at the Barbican Centre

When: 5 May-29 August 2022

Price: £18

#FLODown: Opening in May 2022, the Barbican presents an exhibition that explores different ways of existing on Earth and finding ways to reconnect with them, while also looking at the role technology has to play in deepening our understanding and connection to the natural world. 

A journey through immersive, interactive installations and digital works, the exhibition invites visitors to experience a range of perspectives of our shared planet, exploring Earth as a community to which we all belong and to take an active role and leave feeling empowered to make positive change.

Aiming to reignite respect for our essential and complex biosphere and inspire awe and wonder for our beautiful planet, 

Our Time on Earth opens a conversation to examine this viewpoint from multiple global perspectives, look at the positive possibilities of an alternative future, and embrace the wonder of the natural world.

Location:

Silk Street London EC2Y 8DS

 Opening hours: 

Sun-Wed 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm), Thu-Sat 10am-8pm (last entry 7pm), Bank Holidays 12-8pm (last entry 7pm)

Power & Image: Royal Portraiture & Iconography

Where: Sotheby’s London

When: 28 May to 15 June 2022

Price: Free 

#FLODown: Sotheby's presents an exhibition that shines a light on five centuries of female monarchs spanning the Tudor period to the present day. In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubliee, 70 years on the throne, it presents portraits of Britain’s seven regnant queens and accompanying historic manuscripts to chart an evolving image of power. Featuring artworks from some of the nation’s greatest private collections, including the iconic Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, on loan from the Woburn Abbey collection, and the Queen (2022) by artist Oluwole Omofemi, whose artwork has also been featured on a commemorative Platinum Jubilee cover of Tatler Magazine. The exhibited works reflect the shifting culture and society of a dynamic Britain. Click here for more.

Location:

34-35 New Bond St, London W1S 2RP

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, Weekends & Bank Holidays: 12:00–5:00 PM

In the Black Fantastic ‏‏

Where: Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre

When: 29 June to 18 September 2022

Price: £13.50

‏ #FLODown:‏In the Black Fantastic is an exhibition of 11 contemporary artists from the African diaspora, who draw on science fiction, myth and Afrofuturism to question our knowledge of the world. Curated by ‏‏Ekow Eshun‏, the exhibition will feature painting, photography, video, sculpture and mixed-media installations. Showcasing new works and special commissions by artists ‏‏Nick Cave, Sedrick Chisom, Ellen Gallagher, Hew Locke, Wangechi Mutu, Rashaad Newsome, Chris Ofili, Tabita Rezaire, Cauleen Smith, Lina Iris Viktor‏ ‏and‏ ‏Kara Walker. 

‏Location:

Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX

 Opening hours:

Wed, 11am – 9pm; Thu – Sat, 11am – 7pm; Sun 10am – 6pm. Closed Mon & Tue.

Serpentine Pavilion 2022: Black Chapel

Where: Serpentine South Gallery, Serpentine Pavilion

When: 10 June – 16 October 2022

Price: Free 

#FLODown: The Serpentine is renowned for the temporary summer pavilion set within the grounds of Kensington Gardens, commissioned yearly since 2000 to a prominent international architect who has never built in the UK. The Serpentine Pavilion 2022 Black Chapel has been designed by Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates and is a site for contemplation and convening which draws inspiration from many of the architectural typologies that ground the artist’s practice.

The structure’s central oculus emanates a single source of light to create a sanctuary for reflection, refuge and conviviality. Having been developed with the support of Adjaye Associates, it references the bottle kilns of Stoke-on-Trent, the beehive kilns of the Western United States, San Pietro and the Roman tempiettos, and traditional African structures, such as the Musgum mud huts of Cameroon, and the Kasubi Tombs of Kampala, Uganda. The Pavilion’s circularity and volume echo the sacred forms of Hungarian round churches and the ring shouts, voodoo circles and roda de capoeira witnessed in the sacred practices of the African diaspora. The structure has been developed with the support of Adjaye Associates. Click here for more.

Location: 

Serpentine South Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA

 Opening hours:

 Tuesday - Sunday (Open Bank Holiday Mondays) 10am - 6pm

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2022

Where: Main Galleries, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts

When: 21 June — 21 August 2022

Price: £20-22 

 #FLODOwn: What is summer in London without the RA Summer exhibition? The Royal Academy of Arts has run the summer exhibition without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition showcases art in all forms, from prints, painting, film and photography, to architectural works and sculpture by invited artists, Royal Academicians and emerging talent. After two years in winter, it is finally back where it should be. This year's theme is ‘Climate’. Whether as a crisis or opportunity, or simply our everyday experience, it is an all-embracing subject.

This year will feature a large-scale immersive installation bringing nature and water to the courtyard, by Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias. Most of the works are available to buy, and proceeds from the Summer Exhibition directly support the exhibiting artists and the RA’s charitable work, including training the next generation of artists in the Royal Academy Schools. 

Location:

Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD

Opening hours:

Monday: closed, Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–6pm

Africa Fashion

Where: Victoria & Albert Museum

When: Opening 2 July 2022

Price: £16 

#FLODown: Africa Fashion celebrates the creativity and global impact of contemporary African fashion. It is the UK’s most extensive exhibition of African fashions to date, featuring 45 designers from more than 20 countries across the continent, alongside personal insights from the designers, sketches, editorial spreads, photographs, film and catwalk footage.

The exhibition will also feature influential contemporary African fashion designers and brands including Imane Ayissi, IAMISIGO, Moshions, Thebe Magugu and Sindiso Khumalo. It will showcase a selection of garments from the personal archives of a number of mid-twentieth century African designers – Shade Thomas-Fahm, Chris Seydou, Kofi Ansah and Alphadi – which will be the first time their work will be shown in a London museum.

Location:

Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL

Opening hours:

Daily: 10.00 – 17.45. Friday: 10.00 – 22.00