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City Guide London - Autumn '24
With London’s art scene in full swing, it's time to dive into a cultural feast that’s as exciting as it is eclectic. Not sure where to begin? No worries, art lovers! We've got the ultimate city guide, complete with must-see exhibits and the latest food hotspots—so grab your cuppa and savour each art fix like a perfectly buttered scone. Here’s what’s on in London this season:
Explore London like a local this autumn with Art Fix’s exclusive map — your guide to uncovering the city’s best art spots and hidden treasures!
HEADLINERS
Olafur Eliasson | Picadilly Cirus
- 1 Oct – 31 Dec ’24 (every evening at 20:24)
- Piccadilly Lights screen.
- circa.art
Olafur Eliasson takes over famous advertising screens, and turns London’s Piccadilly Circus into a blur. Eliasson attempts to slow things down, swapping high-definition adverts for a blurry, reflective video piece called Lifeworld.
Frieze Sculpture | Regent’s Park
- Until 27th Oct ‘24
- Regent’s Park, London
- friezesculpture.org
Can’t get enough? Don’t leave the fair without a stroll through the sculpture garden at Regent’s Park. Frieze have also put together a catalogue of short audio guides, so you can listen to the curator’s thoughts behind their selection as you enjoy the works.
Tate Britain | Turner Prize 2024
- Until 16 Feb ‘25
- Millbank
- tate.org.uk
Every year, the best of British art goes head-to-head at the Turner Prize exhibition. This year’s shortlist of winners includes Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur and Delaine Le Bas.
Anthony McCall | Tate Modern
- Until 27 April ’25
- Bankside
- tate.org.uk
Anthony McCall’s light art is like walking through giant beams of magic, where light and mist come together to create mesmerizing shapes you can actually step inside. It’s part laser show, part shadow play—perfect for those who love to explore art that’s as fun as it is mind-bending!
Mike Kelley | Tate Modern
- Until 9 March ’25
- Bankside
- tate.org.uk
Mike Kelley was the cool rebel of the art world, He was all about exploring the messy, weird side of human experience, but always with a dash of humor, irony, and a bit of punk rock attitude. In short, Kelley took the ordinary and made it wonderfully strange!
Royal Academy | Michael Craig-Martin
- Until 10 Dec ‘24
- Burlington House, Piccadilly
- royalacademy.org.uk
Michael Craig-Martin is arguably one of the most influential conceptual artists whose works are instantly recognisable from their bright, energetic colours and compositions.
The Courtauld | Monet and London: Views of the Thames
- Until 19 Jan ‘25
- Somerset House, Strand
- courtauld.ac.uk
At the time of Monet’s work, London was hardly a beautiful city – engulfed in smog and pollution. Yet somehow, the Impressionist’s genius saw what no one else did – a shimmering reflection of the British capital in its famous river.
Serpentine North Gallery | Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst
- Until 2 Feb ‘25
- Kensington Gardens
- serpentinegalleries.org
Berlin-based sound artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst have come together to create a groundbreaking collaboration with AI and choral singers.
Serpentine South Gallery | Lauren Halsey
- Until 2 Mar ‘25
- Kensington Gardens
- serpentinegalleries.org
For the debut of her first UK exhibition, Lauren Halsey promises an ‘immersive funk garden’ that celebrates the maximalist energy of her native city, Los Angeles.
Art Fix tip: Just on the side of Kensington Gardens at the Round Pond, a 6-metre-tall Yayoi Kusama pumpkin is ringing in the Halloween vibes until the 3rd of November.
Pitzhanger | Grayson Perry
- Until 8 Dec ‘25
- Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Green
- pitzhanger.org.uk
Six of Grayson Perry’s large-scale tapestries are being exhibited, for the first time, in the same place where William Hogarth’s ‘A Rake’s Progress’, were housed. These works grapple with identity, gender, social status, sexuality and religion.
Hayward Gallery | Bharti Kher
- Until 12th Sept ‘27
- Belvedere Road
- haywardgallery.org
Bharti Kher’s installation playfully sprawls across the Hayward Gallery’s facade. Like a giant cosmic sticker bomb of vibrant bindis, her work blends tradition with a wink of modern mischief in the heart of London.
Hayward Gallery | Haegue Yang
- Until 5 Jan ‘25
- Belvedere Road
- southbankcentre.co.uk
Yang’s quirky sculptures have a uniquely playful air to them – thanks to her use of household and industrial objects that engage East Asian customs and tradition with contemporary art.
Barbican | ‘The Imaginary Institution of India’
- Until 5 Jan ‘25
- Silk Street
- barbican.org.uk
This group exhibition brings together the work of over 30 Indian artists from a time fraught with social, economic and political unrest. The works in this show are accordingly a deeply personal account of this period of uncertainty and change.
GALLERIES
Unit London | Bobbi Essers
- Until 8 Dec ‘24
- 3 Hanover Square
- unitlondon.com
Who wouldn’t want to relive the intensity and energy of being with your closest friends at a party in your 20s? ‘The World at Our Command’ is an intimate exhibition of young rising star Bobbi Essers, representing the candid comfort of being around your favourite people.
Art Fix tip: Feeling the FOMO? If you’re quick, you can still get your hands on the last few pieces of our Art Fix limited editions with Bobbi – 00s Party and Voracious – or check out our podcast with her.
Gagosian | Jonas Wood
- Until 23 Nov ‘24
- 20 Grosvenor Hill
- gagosian.com
Jonas Wood’s paintings of luscious green foliage always seem to blend abstract and figurative work – pulling from a wide range of influences, from cubism to pop art.
Gagosian | Anna Weyant
- Until 20 Dec ‘24
- 17 – 19 Davies Street
- gagosian.com
Anna Weyant is no stranger to the art world or its headlines – but her paintings can truly speak for themselves. Expertly blending influences from Dutch Golden Age paintings with contemporary themes.
Thaddaeus Ropac | Heemin Chung
- Until 20 Nov ‘24
- 37 Dover Street
- ropac.net
South Korean artist Heemin Chung creates beautifully textured canvases, using hard gel materials to create abstract compositions that deceptively resemble cloth drapery.
Pace | Genesis Belanger
- Until 9 Nov ‘24
- 5 Hanover Square
- pacegallery.com
Genesis Belanger made her first steps in the world of art as a prop stylist – and her works reflect a unique visual language and composition influenced by her work in advertising.
Lisson Gallery | Dexter Dalwood
- Until 9 Nov ‘24
- 67 Lisson Street
- lissongallery.com
Having returned back to the UK after a long stint in Mexico, Dexter Dalwood reconsiders his attachment to English art history.
Timothy Taylor | Alex Katz
- Until 26 Oct ‘24
- 15 Bolton Street
- timothytaylor.com
Okay, so it’s not quite spring anymore – but one can dream! Alex Katz’s vibrant paintings of lush foliage and blossoming trees will pull you out of a seasonal slump.
White Cube | Tracey Emin
- Until 10 Nov ‘24
- 144 – 152 Bermondsey Street
- whitecube.com
This deeply affecting exhibition is quite the comeback for Tracey Emin – following a turbulent period in her health, these works will completely stop you in your tracks.
Kristin Hjellegjerde | Rufai Zakari
- Until 2 Nov ‘24
- 36 Tanner Street
- kristinhjellegjerde.com
Rufai Zakari’s ‘Girls Like Us’ at Kristin Hjellegjerde is a fresh, energetic celebration of African women’s stories, told through vibrant, upcycled materials.
Art Fix tip: Want to know more about Black women artists? We’ve got the fix for you – check out our episode ‘These Girls Are on Fire’.
Workplace | Pei Wang
- Until 9 Nov ‘24
- 50 Mortimer Street
- workplace.art
Pei Wang’s work dives into the psyche with haunting, figurative paintings that explore identity and self-perception. It’s moody, introspective, and surreal – perfect for quiet autumn days.
Hauser and Wirth | George Rouy
- Until 21 Dec ’24
- 23 Savile Row
- hauserwirth.com
Rouy’s work is the perfect blend of abstraction and figuration – his monochrome, distorted figures seem to be in a constant state of dreamlike suspension.
The Perimeter | Lewis Hammond
- Until 20 Dec ‘24
- 20 Brownlow Mews
- theperimeter.co.uk
Trying on lenses of the Baroque and Surrealism movement, Lewis Hammond reimagines global political events with his stunning oil paintings.
Pilar Corrias | Ella Walker
- Until 9 Nov ‘24
- 2 Savile Row
- pilarcorrias.com
Inspired by the Brancacci Chapel’s artwork, Ella Walker reimagines contemporary looks seen in today’s fashion shows.
GRIMM | Miguel Ybáñez
- 24 Oct – 7 Dec ’24
- 2 Bourdon Street
- grimmgallery.com
Leaning into the Italian art movement of ‘Arte Povera’ from the 70s, Madrid-born Miguel Ybáñez creates ethereal abstract collages using humble materials like cloth, cardboard, metal, plaster and found objects.
Almine Rech | Farah Atassi
- Until 9 Nov ‘24
- Broadbent House, Grosvenor Hill
- alminerech.com
Belgium-based Farah Atassi’s works are a contemporary ode to modern art superstars of the past – in her paintings, we recognise more than a handful of references to the likes of Matisse and Picasso.
A surprise awaited us in the basement. It felt like walking into a dream world where nothing makes sense but everything feels just right! Guimi You‘s paintings are a vibrant and engaging exploration of contemporary life through a playful, surreal lens.
Yayoi Kusama | Victoria Miro
- Until 2 Nov ‘24
- 16 Wharf Road
- victoria-miro.com
A new, never-before-seen Infinity Mirror Room is opening its (very reflective) door at Victoria Miro – you’ll definitely want to experience this dizzying technicolour for yourself.
Jules de Balincourt | Victoria Miro
- Until 2 Nov ‘24
- 16 Wharf Road
- victoria-miro.com
Jules de Balincourt’s exhibition is like stepping into a colorful dream where abstract landscapes meet quirky characters and playful vibes. His paintings feel like a fun mix of daydreams and adventure, sparking imagination with every bold brushstroke!
COFFEE AND BITES
Dusty Knuckle Bakery
- Abbot Street
- thedustyknuckle.com
For a mid-morning snack, head to the Dusty Knuckle – you’ll be thinking about the sourdough and salads at this spot for days.
Nkora Coffee
- Mayfair, Shoreditch, Cambridge Heath, St Albans, High Barnet, London Wall, Marylebone
- nkora.co.uk
A caffeinated pick-me-up is never too far away with seven locations of this specialty coffee shop.
It’s Bagels
- 120 Kensington Park Road
- itsbagels.com
What else is there to say? It’s Bagels!
LUNCH AND DINNER
Little Duck The Picklery
- 68 Dalston Lane
- littleduckpicklery.com
As everyone’s on their gut health kick, a table at this tiny wine bar/restaurant is in high demand – make sure to book a spot in advance.
The Barbary
- 112 Westbourne Grove
- thebarbary.co.uk
This stylish restaurant is inspired by flavours of the countries ‘from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East’.
Julie’s
- 135 Portland Road
- juliesrestaurant.com
This swanky spot serves delicious Modern French brasserie cooking and cocktails against the backdrop of some great artwork – a feast for you and your eyes.
The Park
- 2 Queensway
- theparkrestaurant.com
London’s biggest restauranteur, Jeremy King, has been busy – the Park is his newest buzzy restaurant, offering all-day French brasserie cooking with a modern twist.
Brutto
- 35-37 Greenhill Rents
- instagram.com
A casual neighbourhood trattoria serving classic Florentine dishes – under-promising, and always over-delivering.
Bubala
- 15 Poland Street
- bubala.co.uk
Taking inspiration from flavours all across the Middle East, Bubala is a great spot to end your art-filled day.
The River Cafe
- Thames Wharf, Rainville Road
- rivercafe.co.uk
Treat yourself to a Michelin-star meal in the Italian restaurant where none other than Jamie Oliver earned his stripes as a sous-chef!
The Hero
- 55 Shirland Road
- theherow9.com
Nostalgic British food and cask ales for those casual evenings around town.
DRINKS
Bar Termini
- 7 Old Compton Street
- bar-termini-soho.com
Too early for dinner? Hit up Bar Termini in Soho for London’s best aperitivo and yummy cocktails.
The Connaught’s Red Room
- 16 Carlos Place
- the-connaught.co.uk
This is a one stop shop for the perfect end to an art-filled day – the sensual, dreamy interior of this bar perfectly highlights artwork by female artists like Louise Bourgeois and Jenny Holzer.
Goodbye Horses
- 21 Halliford Street
- goodbyehorses.london
A cosy, intimate wine bar in North London for the perfect nightcap.
PAST SHOWS
Frieze London
- 9 – 13 Oct ‘24
- Regent’s Park, London
- frieze.com
It’s that time of the year again – a day spent at Frieze is a day well spent. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming tip list – your own shortcut guide to the best works at Frieze this year.