The best exhibitions this week in London, from Steph Huang to Peter Kennard (July 25 to August 1)
With access to hundreds of museums and galleries a tube ride away, we Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to a fun day out. But sometimes the capital’s embarrassment of riches means it’s tricky to pick where to go.
Do you disappear into the National Gallery for an afternoon, pop by some of the independent galleries in Marylebone, explore East London’s exciting offerings, or wander around the Tate?
Look no further every week: here’s our pick of five extraordinary exhibitions to see in London right now.
Formation: Paul de Monchaux at 90
Celebrating the 90th birthday of Paul de Monchaux, this survey exhibition charts the Canadian-born British sculptor’s practice over his stellar six-decade career. His geometric works, substantial, architectural and elegant, explore themes including permanence and proportion, and have been displayed in public spaces across the country, as well as in galleries. But this isn’t his only legacy: as head of Sculpture and Fine Art at Camberwell School of Art for nearly two decades, De Monchaux played a critical role in guiding and developing many young artists.
Frestonian Gallery, to August 3; frestoniangallery.com
Ilona Szalay: Only Lovers Left Alive
Award-winning Beirut-born London-based artist Ilona Szalay uses a variety of media to create poetic scenes, often featuring mysterious figures, that ask questions about power and vulnerability, dominance and submission.
Arusha Gallery, July 26 to August 17; arushagallery.com
Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024
This prestigious contemporary portrait painting prize always attracts fascinating and brilliant submissions. Here, see some of this year’s best entries, taken from hundreds of submissions (there have been 40,000 entries from over 100 countries since the award was launched in 1980).
National Portrait Gallery, to October 27; npg.org.uk
Art Now: Steph Huang: See, See, Sea
Tate Modern’s series Art Now highlights the work of exciting emerging artists. Now it’s Taiwanese Steph Huang’s time to shine. Presenting an installation of sculptures, film and sound, Huang uses a range of techniques such as glass blowing and casting to explore mass production and consumer culture.
Tate Britain, to January 5; tate.org.uk
Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent
Peter Kennard has spent his influential five-decade career making punchy, striking images of resistance and dissent, responding to the biggest conflicts taking place in his lifetime – from the Vietnam War and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, to Gaza and Ukraine. Here the London-based artist, activist and Royal College of Art professor takes over three galleries, with a survey of works that comprises installations, posters, photomontages and books.
Whitechapel Gallery, to January 19, 2025; whitechapelgallery.org
