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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 portraits capturing Britain in the ’60s, to exploring humanity’s impact on Earth or historical war-time material, 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. Portraits to Dream In, National Portrait Gallery
Until June 16 2024
Two of the most influential women in the history of photography are no doubt the likes of Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron. Going beyond the notions of beauty, symbolism, storytelling and transformation – Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In spans the career of both artists showcasing while showcasing more than 160 rare vintage prints.
📍 National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
🎟️ £8.50. More info here.
5. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition
Until June 30 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.
6. Double Exposure: David Bailey and Mary McCartney, Claridge’s Artspace
Until July 19 2024
Double Exposure: David Bailey & Mary McCartney is set to bring two era-defining British photographers into discourse for the first time ever. Curated by Brandei Estes, the exhibition will feature working spanning across the 1960s to present day exploring the aesthetic of ‘reinvention, play and the art of portraiture itself.’
So you can expect glamorous portraits of celebrity icons from Kate Moss to Harry Styles alongside portraits of every day life and its moments – a ballet dancer ‘off pointe’ or a woman hailing a taxi.
📍 Claridge’s Art Space, Brook Street, London, W1K 4HR.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
🎟️ Free! More info here.
7. The World Press Photo Exhibition 2024, Borough Yards
Until June 16 2024
The World Press Photo Exhibition has returned to London after a seven-year hiatus, taking over Borough Yards this spring. The renowned exhibit showcases some of the best photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world, connecting visitors to stories that matter. The collection of photographs asks the viewer to leave the news cycle at the door and delve into important topics that are affecting people across the globe. With over 60,000 entries by 3,581 photographers, from 130 countries worldwide, and be sure to mark your calendars because it’s only in the capital for a limited time.
📍Stoney St, London SE1 9AD.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge
🎟️ From £15. More information here.
8. 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.
9. 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.
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!