Beyond Frieze: Exhibitions in London in October You Cannot Miss

1. Monet and London: Views of Thames, The Courtauld Gallery

The Courtauld Gallery presents the exhibition Monet and London: Views of Thames until January 19^th, 2025. The show offers a unique glimpse into Claude Monet’s production during a period of three stays in London between 1899 and 1901, featuring a series of paintings by the French Impressionist. The works depict various scenes of London and its iconic landmarks, including the Charing Cross Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament.

2. Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, The National Gallery

Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers is a major exhibition exhibiting over 50 paintings by the popular Dutch master Van Gogh. Displayed alongside drawings, the paintings reproduce Van Gogh’s emblematic post-impressionist style and rhythms, reflecting on his vast use of colours and textures. The exhibition highlights the poetic atmosphere emanated by his work, emphasising his relationship to the practice of portraiture. Among the selected paintings are the famous Sunflowers (1888) and Van Gogh’s Chair (1888), which are owned by the National Gallery’s collection. The exhibition is on view until January 19^th, 2025.

3. Haegue Yang: Leap Year, Hayward Gallery

Part of the Southbank Centre, the Hayward Gallery often showcases cutting-edge contemporary art, with an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions. Haegue Yang: Leap Year features a diverse range of sculptures, drawings, and installations by celebrated Korean artist Haegue Yang. This is the artist’s first major survey in the UK, exhibiting pieces spanning from the early 2000s to the present. Visitors can view Yang’s exhibition until January 5^th, 2025.

4. Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit, Tate Modern

Mike Kelley (1954-2012) was one of the most celebrated American artists. He often engaged with the practice of assemblage, using found objects and different materials to create his works. Kelley was known for his experimentalism and interdisciplinary nature, working with curation, music, film, writing, and video. Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit is the first large retrospective of the American artist in the UK, on view until March 9^th, 2025. It dives into his creative mind and explores themes of identity and memory.

5. Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights, Wellcome Collection

Wellcome Collection’s new major exhibition, Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights, on display until April 27^th, 2025, explores the impact of work on mental and physical health, putting together over 150 objects, including personal items, documents, films, and artworks reflecting on this complex subject matter. The exhibition highlights the untold stories of workers and their practices of resilience through collective action, as well as different processes of healing and transformation.

6. Francis Bacon: Human Presence, National Portrait Gallery

Francis Bacon: Human Presence features more than 55 works by the Irish-born British figurative painter Francis Bacon. The show focuses on paintings from the 1950s onwards, diving further into the artist’s deep relationship with portraiture. Bacon questioned traditional conventions by creating paintings that reflect his approach to life, romantic relationships, personal crises, and lost lovers. This must-see exhibition is on view at the National Portrait Gallery until January 19^th, 2025.

Carol Fucci for London Art Walk
September 2024