London
Art Guide

Whether you love established artists like Tracey Emin, Anish Kapoor, or Grayson Perry, or contemporary art created by up-and-coming young artists is more your style, you'll find some of the best art galleries in London to satisfy all your cultural cravings.

Mayfair and Surrounds

Mayfair is home to Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses, the Royal Academy of Arts, and many of London's leading art galleries, such as Gagosian, which represents Cy Twombly and Urs Fischer, and Hauser & Wirth, displaying Eva Hesse, Christina Quarles, and Jenny Holzer. Hidden gems like Sadie Coles HQ (also with galleries at Soho and St James), Simon Lee Gallery, and White Cube are also in this area, recognised for their strong suite of solo exhibitions by some of the world's best emerging and established artists.

In Grosvenor Hill, Almine Rech promotes perceptual and conceptual art and represents James Turrell, John McCracken, and Joseph Kosuth. Not far from Green Park is leading contemporary London art gallery, David Zwirner, which has fostered the careers of many established and influential artists and represents Yayoi Kusama, Luc Tuymans, and Rose Wylie.

Amanda Wilkinson Gallery puts female artists and those focussing on gender at the forefront of its exhibition programme, representing the likes of Laurie Simmons, Joan Jonas, and Julia Dubsky. Bartha Contemporary focuses on non-figurative and conceptual works by established American and European artists such as Clay Ketter and Julia Mangold.

Other member art galleries include Galerie Max Hetzler, which represents Ai Weiwei and Matthew Barney. Dellasposa Gallery, on London's Hyde Park Estate, represents Bridget Riley and David Shrigley and Gazelli Art House, specialising in art from Azerbaijan. Nearby, are Maddox Gallery, LGDR, Karsten Schubert, and HdM Gallery.

Focusing on contemporary South African art, Goodman Gallery represents the likes of William Kentridge and Sam Nhlengethwa. Marian Goodman Gallery represents international artists, including Gabriel Orozco and Danh Vo. Pilar Corrias promotes artist development and their relationships with public institutions and museums, displaying artists like Rachel Rose, Ragna Bley, and Sabine Moritz.

Further galleries in the heart of Mayfair include Pace Gallery, which represents Lee Ufan and Robert Rauschenberg, and Robilant+Voena, representing Andy Warhol and Lucio Fontana. In addition, Offer Waterman represents Lee Miller and Tarka Kings. The district is also home to Rosenfeld, Mazzoleni, Pi Artworks, Richard Saltoun Gallery, and Stern Pissarro Gallery.

Since the 2000s, Sprüth Magers has delivered diverse exhibition programmes, with its roster of artists including the likes of Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, and Stephen Shore. Neighbouring Sprüth Magers is Waddington Custot, representing Bernar Venet and Joan Miró, and Tristan Hoare Gallery, which represents Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre. Also in the vicinity, you will find WORKPLACE, Unit London, MAMOTH, and Vardaxoglou.

East London Galleries

From the trendy borough of Hackney to the graffiti-dappled streets of Shoreditch, East London sprawls with creativity. Since the 1970s, the East End has been considered a hotbed for artists and galleries seeking studio and exhibition spaces. With an eclectic mix of commercial galleries, public institutions, and community-led project spaces, East London is an integral part of the wider London art scene.

Founded in 1901, Whitechapel Gallery is a powerhouse for modern and contemporary art, hosting exceptional artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Frida Kahlo, Mark Rothko, Sophie Calle, Lucian Freud, and Mark Wallinger. Alongside its exhibition programme, the gallery delivers a huge collection of displays, educational resources, historic archives, artist commissions, and artist talks, providing something free to see year-round.

Chisenhale Gallery champions contemporary art, commissioning and promoting exciting new international and British art. The gallery was initially founded by artists who endeavoured to establish an innovative, dynamic platform for contemporary creatives to experiment and pursue new directions. Artists who have exhibited at Chisenhale include Rachel Jones, Yu Ji, Mandy El-Sayegh, and Lawrence Abu Hamdan.

Considered one of the world's leading contemporary art galleries in London, Victoria Miro represents over 40 artists and estates and exhibits world-class artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Alice Neel, and Chris Ofili. Founded in Mayfair in 1985, Victoria Miro has since expanded to East London and Venice. Victoria Miro frequently participates in prominent art fairs, including Art Basel, Frieze, The Armory Show, and FIAC.

Other notable East London art galleries include Kate MacGarry, which represents Goshka Macuga and Francis Upritchard, and Maureen Paley, representing Gillian Wearing and Liam Gillick. Tabula Rasa Gallery represents Eva Zhang and Yuan Yuan.

East London is also home to First Thursdays, where over 150 galleries come together on the first Thursday of each month to run free exhibitions, book launches, and talks until late at night.

Among the many galleries, you can find a jumble of activities and hip hang-outs throughout the East End. On the weekends, Broadway Market and Columbia Road Flower Market bustle with shoppers looking for handmade crafts, food stalls, and beautiful blooms. Nearby, Clapton provides quieter surroundings with a Sunday market on Chatsworth Road and the charming Castle Cinema, an independent cinema with plush sofa seating.

Across Victoria Park on the east side is Hackney Wick, home to the annual Hackney WickED festival, where artists and venues of the vibrant Hackney Wick and Fish Island communities open their spaces to the public.

North London Galleries

Lisson Gallery is one of the cultural gems of North London. Established in 1967 by Nicholas Logsdail, Lisson heralds Minimal and Conceptual artists including Richard Long and Sol LeWitt. Sculptors Tony Cragg, Anish Kapoor, and Richard Deacon also regularly feature in the gallery's programme.

In the heart of North London is Camden Art Centre, a contemporary art gallery housed within a historic library building, that provides an extensive free programme of exhibitions, courses, events, and residencies. Artists including Yinka Shonibare, Martin Creed, and Kara Walker have exhibited here.

South London Galleries

In South Kensington, Cadogan Gallery upholds an artist-focused approach, exhibiting artists including Laurence Leenaert, Mimi Jung, and Perla Krauze. Nearby you will find Lehmann Maupin, which represents Do Ho Suh and Billy Childish.

As an international centre for modern art, street art, and performance art, London is the ideal place to see some of the world's most well-known exhibitions. Boasting a variety of art spaces, including the Royal Academy of Arts, British Museum, Hayward Gallery, Camden Art Centre, Tate Modern, and Serpentine Galleries, as well as other notable art institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Barbican Art Gallery, visitors can explore an array of London exhibitions on display.

Best Exhibitions to See in London

London has hosted some of history's most ground-breaking exhibitions, augmenting the city's status as an art capital of the world. The landmark group show Freeze, organised by Damien Hirst in 1988, is widely regarded to have launched the era of the Young British Artists (YBAs) which includes Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Marc Quinn, Gavin Turk, and Liam Gillick, among others.

Internationally renowned artist retrospectives of local and international artists are also regularly presented by London galleries and institutions. In 2017, Tate Britain's David Hockney solo exhibition became the museum's most-visited exhibition. Tate Modern has held retrospectives of Agnes Martin, Anni Albers, Olafur Eliasson, and Louise Bourgeois.

Throughout the year, the city also houses some of the world's most reputable art fairs, attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe. Frieze London, along with Frieze Masters and Frieze Sculpture, have become key events for art calendars worldwide.

London hosts a diverse range of must-see exhibitions on display, featuring abstract art, still images, multi-screen installations, and other artistic disciplines, covering a range of focuses—from the Hispanic world to the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. You can view African photography, Van Gogh paintings, solo exhibitions of Post-Impressionist artists, notable women artists, or a pioneering exhibition featuring queer performers.

View our Gallery Member profiles to discover new paintings, prints, sculptures, and other installations currently showing in London for your own art history research, or to build your collection.

Explore current and upcoming exhibitions across London's best galleries, institutions, and non-profit art spaces.

In the heart of Millbank is the internationally renowned Tate Britain, which houses an unrivalled collection of British art from the 16^th century to today. Tate Britain also organises the prestigious annual Turner Prize, first awarded in 1984, which recognises leading British visual artists.

A short walk from the Millennium Bridge is Tate Modern, which opened in 2000 to showcase the U.K.'s national collection of international modern and contemporary art. Tate Modern's iconic Turbine Hall has staged some of the most ambitious, large-scale installation works of the 21^st century.

Other highlights include the Serpentine Galleries, with two locations just five minutes apart across Kensington Gardens. A leader in contemporary practice since 1970, the Serpentine supports emerging artists and creative practitioners through their free, year-round programme of exhibitions and events.

Further institutions, including the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and Whitechapel Gallery, continue to provide a platform for pioneering contemporary artists, filmmakers, and cultural producers, with a global outlook.

Since it was launched in 2010, Ocula Magazine has interviewed some of Britain's most significant artists, including Tracey Emin, Isaac Julian, Martin Creed, Grayson Perry, Gilbert & George, and Anish Kapoor.

Led by Ocula's founder Simon Fisher, Ocula Advisory assists new and established collectors in growing and managing their collections. Based in Mayfair, the advisory team has an intimate knowledge of the London contemporary art scene.

With 40+ years of combined experience and extensive relationships with galleries, auction houses, art dealers, and collectors, Ocula Advisory has exceptional knowledge of modern and contemporary art, as well as market trends.

Follow Advisory Picks, Perspectives, and Selections for must-see art in London, and stay up-to-date with London art market news.

Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new exhibitions and features are published.

London has propelled the careers of U.K. and international artists, with its renowned galleries and museums providing a global stage for seminal exhibitions. Artists who have recently held major solo exhibitions in the city include Philip Guston, Sarah Lucas, Anselm Kiefer, Mike Nelson, and Chris Killip.

It was in London where the careers of the Young British Artists were launched. Known as the YBAs, this term is loosely applied to the collective of artists who began exhibiting together in the late 1980s. Adopting alternative attitudes to material and process, the young talents quickly gained attention for their provocative exhibitions. Notable YBAs include Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Cornelia Parker, Sarah Lucas, Michael Landy, and Gary Hume.

Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new artworks become available.