London Art Guide | September
- Rebecca Lethbridge
- Sep 10
- 6 min read
With the summer months and warm weather coming to an end, and autumn fast approaching, it feels like the perfect time to turn our attention to indoor activities and explore new sources of art inspiration. The change of season not only brings a change in temperature but also a new wave of creativity, meaning it is the perfect moment to check out the range of exhibitions currently on offer. Whether you’re interested in neo-impressionist art, flowers or alter egos there is something for everyone.
First up we have the ‘Radical Harmony’ Exhibition which is currently on display at The National Gallery from 13th September 2025 until 8th February 2026, which is in collaboration with the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo. This exhibition is the gallery’s first ever exhibition that is specifically dedicated to the Neo-Impressionists, which features work by artists Seurat, Van Gogh, Signac, Pissarro, and many more. Neo-impressionist artists typically paint lots of small dots, known as pointillism, which when viewed from a distance create ‘nuanced tones and an illusion of light’. Typically, the aim of their work was to capture what society was like during the late 19th-century through painting luminous landscapes, interior scenes and portraits, which often depicted the challenges many working class people faced against the industrial age. The majority of the works in the exhibition have been collected by Helene Kröller-Müller, who is considered to be ‘one of the first great women art patrons of the 20th century’, with the hope of them being accessible to the public[i].
Royal Academy of Arts: ‘Kerry James Marshall: The Histories’ (20th September 2025 – 18th January 2026).
Next up we have the ‘Kerry James Marshall: The Histories’ exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. This exhibition is open from 20th September 2025 until 18th January 2026. Explore the work of African American artist Kerry James Marshall who is known for his vibrant large-scale paintings which focus on ‘Black figures and histories long excluded from Western art’. His work is embedded with connections to science fiction, civil rights, art history, comics and personal memory, and often invites the viewer to consider what the past was like and also consider a hopeful future. This exhibition, exhibiting 70 works, is the largest exhibition showcasing Marshall’s work that has ever taken place in Europe[ii].
Another interesting exhibition is the ‘Emily Kam Kngwarray’ exhibition at Tate Modern in London, which opened on 10th July 2025 and is open to the public until 11th January 2026. Kngwarray is an Austrailian artist whose works are inspired by her own life as an ‘Indigenous Anmatyerr women’ and her country. She is considered to be one of the most important artist of the 20th century and her large paintings use repeated patterns to show the different plants, animals, and landforms of the desert. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a deep connection to their country and ancestral lands – one that spans spiritual, social, and physical boundaries. Explore textiles, film and audio within this exhibition[iii].
Uncover everything floral and photographic when visiting ‘Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party’ exhibition in London. During the 20th century Beaton was a well-established and recognised fashion photographer who spent 30 years working with Vogue, photographing high society individuals, and had the opportunity to design Julie Andrews’s My Fair Lady costumes. Flowers were incredibly important within his work and creative process. As well as a talented artist Beaton was also a successful costume and set designer for film, theatre and ballet. Through this exhibition you can uncover his love for all things floral – ranging from installations of flowers built for lavish parties to portraits with flowers in the background[iv].
Have you ever fancied meeting an artist’s alter ego? Until the 26th of October 2025 you have the chance to meet Grayson Perry’s most recent alter ego called Shirley Smith (‘heiress in crisis’). Perry’s exhibition is the largest ever contemporary exhibition at the Wallace Collection. This exhibition includes something for everyone with works ranging from sculptures to tapestries, story-filled ceramics and collage. His work explores his latest alter ego while also drawing on his childhood experiences and exploring what it means for an individual to create and buy art today[v].
We also have the ‘Theatre Picasso’ exhibition at Tate Modern. This exhibition, curated by contemporary artist Wu Tsang and curator Enrique Fuenteblance, celebrates 100 years of his famous painting ‘The Three Dancers’. Picasso was always intrigued by performers and one’s ability to transform. This exhibition showcases 45 of Picasso’s work, including paintings, textiles, sculpture, works on paper, and some works that have never been seen before in the UK. Picasso created a public image of himself as both a famous artist and an outsider. This can be understood through the idea of performativity—how actions and words shape identity. He was always interested in different ways of living and the tension between mainstream culture and the avant-garde. This image stayed with him throughout his life and still influences how we think about artists today[vi].
This is an exhibition which is spread across three rooms of the Royal Academy’s smaller galleries. It explores the influence Van Gogh had on Kiefer 72 years after Van Gogh painted his last works, including work from both artists and features works by Kiefer that have never been shown before. For nearly six decades, Kiefer has drawn inspiration from the work of Van Gogh. The Post-Impressionist pioneer has shaped both the themes and techniques of Kiefer’s monumental paintings and sculptures, which weave together history, mythology, literature, philosophy, and science[vii].
Other smaller galleries in London:
It’s now time to explore what some of the smaller less well-known galleries have on offer in the coming months.
Up first, we have ‘Though floating on water’ exhibition at Workplace. This group exhibition includes the work of Emii Alrai, Simeon Barclay, Wang Pei, Ibrahim El-Salahi and Ingrid Pollard. The exhibition reimagines how the body connects with the landscape, challenging long-held ideas of ownership, history, and belonging. Featuring photography, sculpture, installation, and painting, it reflects on the ways in which history and representation shape our understanding of the land and our place within it. Though Floating on Water asks who is seen, who is remembered, and what material traces are left behind[viii].
We also have the ‘Pragmata Collective PPG "Land(e)scape 2"’ at Hypha Studios, Marble Arch, which started on 5th September 2025 and goes on until 11th October 2025. This exhibition features a variety of mixed media ranging from sculpture, painting and installation to video and sound, exploring themes of ecology, theatricality and fiction, whilst also looking at material culture and ecological awareness[ix].
I hope you enjoyed our London Art Guide - Stay Tuned for more!
References:
[i] The National Gallery, London. “Radical Harmony: Neo-Impressionists | Exhibitions | National Gallery, London,” n.d. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/radical-harmony-neo-impressionists.
[ii] Art Fund. “Kerry James Marshall: The Histories,” September 20, 2025. https://www.artfund.org/explore/exhibitions/2025/09/20/kerry-james-marshall-the-histories.
[iii] Art Fund. “Emily Kam Kngwarray,” July 10, 2025. https://www.artfund.org/explore/exhibitions/2025/07/10/emily-kam-kngwarray.
[iv] Art Fund. “Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party,” May 14, 2025. https://www.artfund.org/explore/exhibitions/2025/05/14/cecil-beatons-garden-party.
[v] Art Fund. “Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur,” March 28, 2025. https://www.artfund.org/explore/exhibitions/2025/03/28/grayson-perry-delusions-of-grandeur.
[vi] Tate. “Theatre Picasso | Tate Modern,” n.d. https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/theatre-picasso.
[vii] Royalacademy. “Kiefer / Van Gogh.” Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/kiefer-van-gogh.
[viii] WORKPLACE. “Though Floating on Water –,” October 3, 2025. https://workplace.art/exhibitions/though-floating-on-water.
[ix] Eventbrite. “Private View: Pragmata Collective, PPG "Land(E)Scape 2",” September 4, 2001. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/private-view-pragmata-collective-ppg-landescape-2-tickets-1632800092029.
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