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When it comes to art exhibitions and museums in London Town, we’re more than spoiled for choice. In fact, we’d go as far to say that our dear city has some of the best museums in the world. But we can also confirm that we’re not doing too badly on the photography exhibitions front either. With artists and communities from all over the world being represented, London no doubt is the forefront for inclusivity and diversity when it comes to showcasing art. From documentary snaps capturing Britain in the ’80s to exploring humanity’s impact on Earth, here’s our rundown of the best photography exhibitions in London to explore.
1. Zanele Muholi, Tate Modern
Until January 26 2025
Zanele Muholi is easily one of the most critically acclaimed photographers today and this June, with over 260 photographs on display, this exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date. Muholi presents them selves as a visual artist who has documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities. Most of their work captures moments of love, intimacy, addresses issues of oppression and discrimination and empowers non-binary people and trans women.
📍 Bankside, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest station is Blackfriars.
🎟️ £18. More info here.
2. Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, The V&A
Until January 5 2025
The V&A will showcase 300 never-seen-before prints from 140 photographers taken from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s private art collection. The exhibition hopes to tell the story of modern and contemporary photography across a variety of subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body.
📍 Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🎟️ Tickets from £20.
3. William John Kennedy’s ‘Lost Archive’ of Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana Photographs, The Warhol Kennedy Residence
Until September 30 2024
An entire London residence will dedicate its space to exhibit the forgotten photographs of Andy Warhol and American printmaker central to the pop-art movement, Robert Indiana. Photographed by William John Kennedy who was known to document the ‘bohemian New York life,’ these images were said to be lost to the world for nearly 40 years. These rare photographs can now be seen in The Warhol Kennedy Residence in London, nestled just a few minutes away from The Strand. The Warhol Kennedy Residence will be the only place that one can experience the entirety of the collection with purchase editions available for the stunning and iconic images.
📍29 Sackville Street, W1S 3DX.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
🎟️ By appointment only.
4. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition
Until August 25, 2024
At the Accidentally Wes Anderson exhibition, you will journey through seven themed rooms, each one featuring real-life locations that encompass everything from the flamingo-pink facade of a retro cinema in Washington to a ramshackle vintage car sitting forgotten among the sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The story behind each image is also revealed, shedding some light on the history of a building or giving you a bit of background on the natural habitat
📍 85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW7 3LD.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🎟️ From £11.99.
5. Beyond Fashion, Saatchi Gallery
Until September 8 2024
Beyond Fashion is set to showcase the work of some of the most acclaimed fashion photographers from around the world. Demonstrating how fashion photography has moved past the simple representation of product lines to reflect on the reality of our lives, it aims to push the boundaries of creativity. The exhibition will include work from the likes of Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, Viviane Sassen, Paolo Roversi, Miles Aldridge, and Ellen von Unwerth as well as an exciting generation of new fashion photographers.
📍Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
🎟️ From £6. More information here.
6. Meditations On Love, The Photographer’s Gallery
Until September 22 2024
Curated by the Develop Collective, Meditations On Love invites the audience to consider how love is represented, preserved and remembered. Designed as a reading room, the audience can go through photobooks, novels and non-fiction works with stories covering themes of resilience, community, friendship, subversion, identity and queerness. You can see the works of Tami Aftab, Ollie Adegboye, Deana Lawson, Ewen Spencer, and many others exploring “love’s complex and varying iterations: tender, provocative, queer, defiant and sacrificial.”
📍The Photographers’ Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
🎟️ From £6.50. More information here.
7. The 80s: Photographing Britain, Tate Britain
From November 21, 2024 until May 2025.
Tate Britain are offering a trip back in time with their upcoming photography exhibition, deep-diving into the social, political, and economic shifts in Britain throughout the eighties. Explore themes of race, class, identity, and politics at this must-see exhibit, touching on several pivotal moments from the decade including the punk rock rebellion, the rise of multicultural Britain, the conflict in Northern Ireland, the AIDS epidemic, and beyond. Witness the works of Maud Sulter, Mumtaz Karimjee, Martin Parr, and more. To read our article on the exhibition, click here.
📍Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.
🚇 Nearest station is Pimlico.
🎟️ Princing coming soon. More information here.
8. Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery
From 14 November 2024 until February 2025
Showcasing the very best in contemporary portrait photography, the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize is an annual competition that unites a diverse range of talents for an unmissable exhibition in the process. Intrinsically located at the National Portrait Gallery, the space offers a stunning backdrop for the forever-fabulous collection of powerful and captivating portraits. This exhibit is a perfect addition to your cultural calendar, especially if you’re curious about the ins and outs of contemporary photography.
📍National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest stations are Charing Cross or Leicester Square.
🎟️ Princing coming soon. More information here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best photography exhibitions in London to look forward to in 2024. So what are you waiting for culture vultures? Get out and there and get inspired!