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Must-Visit Art and Architecture Shows in 2024

By Staff Reporter staff@designtimes.com | Dec 27, 2023 09:47 AM EST
(Photo: unsplash.com/@andrewtneel)

In the vibrant world of art and architecture, 2024 promises a spectacular lineup of exhibitions that will captivate enthusiasts around the globe. Renowned art critics Adrian Searle, Jonathan Jones, and Oliver Wainwright have curated a diverse list of shows, ranging from the avant-garde works of Yoko Ono to the architectural wonders at Giza. Let's take a journey through the most anticipated exhibitions of 2024.

Unveiling Dreams at Whitechapel Gallery

Zineb Sedira: Dreams Have No Titles

Location: Whitechapel Gallery, London, 15 February-12 May

Zineb Sedira's captivating work, a sensation at the Venice Biennale, transforms the Whitechapel Gallery into a living canvas. Movie sets within the gallery showcase scenes from Sedira's life, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Thought-Provoking Phrases at Serpentine South

Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You

Location: Serpentine South, London, 1 February-17 March

Barbara Kruger, known for her striking phrases, invites visitors to ponder deep meanings in a visually immersive experience. Her terse messages, often paired with powerful visuals, continue to resonate.

Abstraction Beyond Boundaries

Beyond Form: Lines of Abstraction, 1950-1970

Location: Turner Contemporary, Margate, 3 February-6 May

This exhibition features 50 female artists and explores abstraction as a political, personal, and revolutionary force. The show aims to transcend formal constraints, seeking a universal language beyond words.

Auerbach's Early Portraits

Frank Auerbach

Location: Courtauld Gallery, London, 9 February-27 May

Delve into the early portraits by the unstoppable artist Frank Auerbach. His charcoal drawings from 1950s London provide profound insights into the human head amid the aftermath of the Blitz.

Yoko Ono's Artistic Brilliance

Yoko Ono

Location: Tate Modern, London, 15 February-1 September

Discover the excellence of Yoko Ono beyond her pop culture fame. This retrospective explores her pioneering contributions to performance art, adding a powerful feminist edge to the 1960s art scene.

Sargent's Stylish Strokes

Sargent and Fashion

Location: Tate Britain, London, 22 February-7 July

John Singer Sargent's brilliant portrayal of modern life takes center stage. The exhibition explores his sensuous and realistically stylish depictions of men and women, including the iconic portrait of Madame X.

The Time Is Always Now

Location: National Portrait Gallery, London, 22 February-19 May; The Box, Plymouth, 29 June-29 September (US Tour)

This wide-ranging show, featuring 22 leading black artists from the UK and US, offers a critical exploration of portraiture. From London dub clubs to Afrofuturism, it addresses visibility issues and celebrates black artistry.

Blake's Enigmatic Universe

William Blake's Universe

Location: Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 23 February-19 May

Embark on a journey through the wild and lyrical cosmos of William Blake. This exhibition decodes his prophecies and rants, shedding light on the Romantic age that inspired his haunting art.

Caravaggio's Last Masterpiece

The Last Caravaggio

Location: National Gallery, London, 18 April-21 July

Witness the enthralling masterpiece, "The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula," in this exhibition dedicated to the final works of Caravaggio. The exhibition promises a sublime experience, capturing the artist's awareness of his impending fate.

Expressionist Explorations

Expressionists

Location: Tate Modern, London, 25 April-20 October

Explore the radical and experimental world of The Blue Rider, a pre-World War I art movement based in Munich. Key figures like Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky are showcased, revealing their search for emotion in color and the road to abstract art.

Centenary Celebrations

National Treasures

Opens at 12 museums across the UK on 10 May

Twelve iconic paintings will travel across the UK to celebrate the National Gallery's centenary. From Turner's "Fighting Temeraire" to Caravaggio's "The Supper at Emmaus," this exhibition promises a visual feast.

Awakening Cultural Connections

Tavares Strachan: Awakening

Location: Hayward Gallery, London, 11 June-1 September

Bahamian artist Tavares Strachan explores lost cultural connections in this awe-inspiring exhibition. From Arctic expeditions to the mammoth "Encyclopedia of Invisibility," Strachan's work is a testament to the power of creativity.

Also Read: Top 10 World's Biggest Museums

Children's Games Worldwide

Francis Alÿs

Location: Barbican, London, 27 June-1 September

Francis Alÿs, known for his adventurous projects, presents a unique perspective on childhood through films capturing children's games worldwide. From snail-racing in Belgium to leapfrog in Iraq, this exhibition promises a delightful journey.

Van Gogh's Poetic Park

Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers

Location: National Gallery, London, Date TBD

Celebrate the National Gallery's 200th birthday with the first-ever exhibition on Vincent van Gogh. The show, "Poets and Lovers," promises a spectacular journey through euphoria and despair, featuring works never before seen in the UK.

Connecting Art Threads

Glenn Ligon: All Over the Place

Location: Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 20 September-2 March 2025

Glenn Ligon weaves connections between his neons and paintings, drawing threads between diverse sources. This exhibition explores race, power, and sexuality, creating unexpected connections with works from the museum's collection.

Rego and Goya: A Dark Encounter

Uncanny Visions: Rego and Goya

Location: Holburne Museum, Bath, 27 September-5 January 2025

Explore the intense depictions of darkness in Paula Rego's fantasy scenes alongside Francisco Goya's nightmares. The exhibition draws parallels between their haunting artworks, reflecting on historical traumas.

Kelley's Troubled Art

Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit

Location: Tate Modern, London, 2 October-9 March 2025

Delve into the troubled and magnificent art of Mike Kelley, spanning from recreating Superman's home world to unsettling installations. This exhibition showcases Kelley's unique exploration of childhood, identity, and the unfinished.

Bacon's Distorted Portraits

Francis Bacon Portraits

Location: National Portrait Gallery, London, 10 October-19 January

Francis Bacon's distorted and powerful portraits take center stage. The exhibition provides an intimate look at the people closest to the artist, revealing his sharp yet loving eye for capturing the human condition.

Chaotic Beauty of Barry Le Va

Barry Le Va: In a State of Flux

Location: Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, 26 October-2 February 2025

Rarely seen in the UK, Barry Le Va's chaotic and meticulously mapped-out "scatter art" takes the spotlight. This exhibition offers a unique glimpse into Le Va's delicate yet alarming art, from shattered glass to fan-blown chalk.

Renaissance Encounters

Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael

Location: Royal Academy, London, 9 November-16 February 2025

Step into the world of genius as this exhibition recreates the encounters of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael in Florence around 1504. Witness the creation of masterpieces, including Leonardo's Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's David.

Architectural Marvels

Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence

Location: V&A, London, 2 March-22 September

Discover the seductive and contested world of Tropical Modernism. This exhibition explores how a style imposed by the British Empire evolved into a language of optimism and freedom in West Africa and India.

Designing Latin American Modernity

Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940-1980

Location: Moma, New York, 8 March-2 September

From undulating tables to inviting chairs, this exhibition examines modern domestic design in Latin America. Through 150 objects, it delves into the political, social, and cultural transformations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Environmentalism and Design

Enzo Mari

Location: Design Museum, London, 29 March-8 September

Explore the radical work of Italian designer Enzo Mari in this retrospective. With a focus on environmentalism, workers' rights, and social responsibilities, Mari's influence on design takes center stage.

Giza's Grandeur

Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza

Location: Giza, Egypt, late spring

After two decades in the making, the Grand Egyptian Museum opens its monumental doors. Designed by Irish architect Heneghan Peng, the $1 billion project promises a sprawling home for countless treasures, including artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb.

Pei's Architectural Legacy

IM Pei: Life Is Architecture

Location: M+, Hong Kong, 29 June

Celebrate the distinctive mark of Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei on cities worldwide. This retrospective showcases a dazzling trove of sketches, drawings, and models, offering a comprehensive view of Pei's architectural legacy.

As we embark on a journey through these exhibitions, 2024 beckons with a kaleidoscope of artistic and architectural wonders, inviting us to explore the depths of creativity and innovation in visual arts.

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