Discover Autumn 2025’s Top Art & Architecture: Featuring Picasso, Marshall, Miller

Visual Arts

Mona Hatoum Meets Giacometti

Mona Hatoum, a Palestinian artist renowned for her provocative works ranging from internal body scans to representations of a fiery planet, engages with the iconic modernist Alberto Giacometti. This exhibition is the second installment in a series that juxtaposes Giacometti’s sculptures with contemporary art, highlighting their shared surrealistic appreciation of organic forms. JJ

Barbican, London, 3 September to 11 January

Hilary Lloyd: Extremely High Frequency

This exhibition delves into the acerbic and inventive world of Dennis Potter, a playwright and dramatist known for his radical approach to television and theater. Lloyd’s installation includes archival footage, new narrative insights, and live performances, centering on Potter’s enduring impact, his political views, and his courageous response to his impending death. AS

Studio Voltaire, London, 10 September to 11 January

Picasso on Stage

An expansive showcase at Tate features a vast array of Picasso’s works alongside significant loans from Europe, portraying him as a theatrical figure in modern art. This exhibition contrasts his famous works with photos and films, depicting his readiness to engage with the camera and his playful side, such as posing in a minotaur mask. JJ

Tate Modern, London, 17 September to 12 April

Kerry James Marshall: Narratives

Approaching his 70s, Marshall is celebrated with a major retrospective in Europe, recognizing his profound influence on American art. His paintings, rich with symbolism and complexity, explore black identity, everyday life, and their intersections with art history. AS

Royal Academy, London, 20 September to 18 January

The Fashion of Marie Antoinette

This exhibition revisits the life and portrayal of Marie Antoinette, executed in 1793 after being the target of extensive misogynistic slander. It aims to provide a balanced view of her as a political scapegoat, tracing her representation in art and fashion from the 18th century to today. JJ

V&A, London, 20 September to 22 March

Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme: Prisoners of Love

This new commission weaves together the voices and songs of Palestinian prisoners with narratives collected across the occupied West Bank. Displayed across multiple screens, this poignant audio-visual installation offers a poetic reflection on resistance. AS

Nottingham Contemporary, 27 September 2025 to 11 January

Turner Prize 2025

This year’s Turner Prize exhibition critiques contemporary art’s pulse by showcasing works from Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa. It presents a diverse range of media, from obsessive wrappings to painted expressions of conflict and identity, stirring rich debate among viewers. AS

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, 27 September to 22 February

Exploring Lee Miller

A retrospective dedicated to Lee Miller, an audacious photographer who traversed the realms of war reportage and surreal art. Her daring and experimental vision captured the extremes of her era, from World War II frontlines to surreal, dream-like sequences, challenging the very fabric of reality. JJ

Tate Britain, London, 2 October to 15 February

Crafted in Ancient Egypt

This exhibition demystifies Ancient Egyptian art, emphasizing the human skill and creativity behind their iconic sarcophagi and murals, rather than focusing solely on the pharaohs. It celebrates the artisans whose hands crafted these timeless wonders. JJ

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 3 October to 12 April

Gilbert & George: Pictures of the 21st Century

Explore the vibrant and provocative montages of Gilbert & George, who document everyday life in London from their home in Spitalfields. This exhibition includes poignant self-portraits and candid snapshots of urban life, captured through the duo’s distinctive artistic lens. JJ

Hayward Gallery, London, 7 October to 11 January

Nigerian Modernism

This exhibition examines the rich tapestry of Nigerian modern art, exploring its influences across Africa and Europe. From early decolonization efforts to the post-independence era, it features over 50 artists whose works span 50 years, offering a dynamic and enlightening experience. AS

Tate Modern, London, 8 October to 10 May

Wayne Thiebaud: An American Still Life

Wayne Thiebaud, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of everyday American objects, from cakes to hotdogs, is showcased in this exhibition. Though often mistaken for a pop artist, Thiebaud saw himself in the lineage of classic European still-life painters, yet his work is quintessentially American. AS

The Courtauld, London, 10 October to 18 January

Peter Doig: The House of Music

Peter Doig, known for his lyrical and atmospheric paintings, often incorporates musical themes. This exhibition presents his latest works alongside a collection of restored analogue speakers, creating a multisensory experience that bridges visual art and sound. AS

Serpentine Galleries, London, 10 October to 8 February

Claire Fontaine: Less Is More

The artist duo known as Claire Fontaine (pseudonyms of Fulvia Carnevale and James Thornhill) have been stirring the art world for over two decades. This exhibition showcases their provocative works, from neon signs to vandalized paintings, reflecting their critical engagement with contemporary culture. AS

Mimosa House, London, 10 October to 6 December

Artes Mundi 11

This biennial art prize, held across various venues in Wales, features six international artists whose works span a range of media and themes, from indigenous traditions to modern conflicts. It promises to be an invigorating showcase with a significant prize at stake. AS

Various venues across Wales, 24 October to 1 March

Joseph Wright of Derby: Out of the Shadows

This exhibition celebrates Joseph Wright, an 18th-century painter whose works illuminate the Enlightenment era. His paintings, from scientific studies to volcanic eruptions, capture the quest for knowledge and the dramatic intensity of his time. JJ

National Gallery, London, 7 November to 10 May

Harold Offeh: Trying Harder for Sweetness

Ghanaian artist Harold Offeh’s interactive and often humorous works blur the lines between performance and visual art, exploring themes of identity and cultural representation through participatory media and re-enactments. AS

Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, 15 November 2025 to 1 March

Maggi Hambling and Sarah Lucas: A Collaborative Contrast

In a unique joint exhibition, Maggi Hambling’s expressive paintings meet Sarah Lucas’s provocative installations. Despite their stylistic differences, these artists merge their distinct voices in a compelling dialogue spanning two galleries. AS

Sadie Coles HQ and Frankie Rossi Art Projects, London, 20 November to 1 January

Caravaggio’s Iconoclastic Cupid

Caravaggio’s bold and controversial portrayal of his young model Cecco as Cupid comes to London, challenging traditional virtues and stirring debate with its irreverent satire. JJ

Wallace Collection, London, 26 November to 12 April

Turner vs. Constable: The Great British Paint-Off

This major exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of both JMW Turner and John Constable, offering a side-by-side look at their works and legacies. This grand presentation explores their approaches to capturing the British landscape and light. JJ

Tate Britain, London, 27 November to 12 April

Design and Architecture

The Final Frontier: Space

The Science Museum’s space gallery reopens with a refreshed exhibit that includes the latest in space exploration technology, from new propulsion methods to innovative lunar rovers, alongside the Soyuz capsule that returned Tim Peake from the ISS. OW

Science Museum, London, from 20 September

Home Ground: Designing the Football Experience

Following the Lionesses’ recent triumph, the RIBA explores football stadium architecture, tracing the evolution from early structures to contemporary designs, like Everton’s new stadium, through models, photos, and archival materials. OW

Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, Liverpool, 15 October to 25 January

Wes Anderson: A Visual Journey

An in-depth look at Wes Anderson’s distinctive style, this exhibition features over 600 items, including storyboards, sketches, and models, offering insights into his meticulously crafted filmic worlds. OW

Design Museum, London, 21 November to 26 July

Fungi: Nature’s Design Anarchists

This exhibition delves into the world of fungi, showcasing its environmental and sociocultural impacts through interactive and research-based installations, from its role in agriculture to its influence on human health. OW

Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, 21 November to 2 May

Hyakko: A Century of Japanese Craftsmanship

Presenting a collaboration with Atelier Muji, this exhibition features over 100 Japanese artisans displaying more than 1,000 objects that highlight the meticulous craft behind everyday items, celebrating the ongoing evolution of traditional Japanese crafts. OW

Japan House, London, December to April