Top 5 exhibitions in London right now

A range of exciting exhibitions have recently opened and I’ve been lucky enough to see a few of them already. Here’s my pick of some of the best exhibitions in London right now

Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, V&A Museum

Sir Elton John and David Furnish are prolific collectors and have more than 7,000 items in their collection, some of which are now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Spanning themes including fashion, celebrity, desire and poignant photojournalism, expect to feel a full range of emotions as you encounter beautiful and chilling photographs by some of the world’s biggest talents. Aside from the images themselves, the curation of the exhibition is worth appreciating too, with intriguing spaces and considered cohesion between the photographs. Plan your visit.

Beyond Fashion, Saatchi Gallery

Showcasing the work of some of the world’s most acclaimed fashion photographers, the latest exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery features infamous images by the likes of Juergen Teller (pictured), Peter Lindbergh, Miles Aldridge and Maisie Cousins. The exhibition has four chapters: Allure, Fantasy, Surrealism and Realism. Many of the images were commissioned by famous magazines or well-known brands, but as fashion photography has evolved into an art form in its own right, images are increasingly seen on screens and consumed digitally. These themes are all explored throughout this large display, which culminates in a large installation on the floor below. Plan your visit.

Degas and Miss Lala, The National Gallery

The first exhibition to open during the gallery’s bicentenary year, and the third in the Discover… series, Discover Degas and Miss La La centres around one of the most striking works from the gallery’s collection. The Discover… series takes a picture of significance from the collection and explores it from different perspectives offering up new information and research. Almost 100 years exactly since the painting in question entered The National Gallery, an impressive selection of posters, photographs, preparatory works and other materials are on display. As one of only two paintings by Degas depicting a non-white person, it’s a special opportunity to explore the work that went into a very special piece. Plan your visit.

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography, The King’s Gallery

Charting the evolution of royal portraiture since the inception of photography in 1839, through to a selection of King Charles III’s Coronation portraits, this is a broad display that royalists and keen photographers alike will enjoy. As you enter the first room, you’re greeted with a pair of images: one of Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth bowed-Lyon, and another of their grandson, King Charles III. Separated by almost exactly a century, the two images encapsulate the theme of the exhibition and set the tone for the rooms that follow. Situated adjacent to Buckingham Palace, a visit to The King’s Gallery is always worthwhile within a day of sightseeing. Plan your visit.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), Lightroom in King’s Cross

Following its success in 2022, this vibrant digital exhibition returns to the vast walls of Lightroom in King’s Cross. David Hockney; the renowned English artist who became known during the ‘60s Pop Art movement, is a painter, print designer, stage designer and photographer. His life-long experimentation with different media is explored in this epic and mesmerising show, bursting with life, vibrancy and colour. From the landscape of California to epic sketches of the Grand Canyon, and those swimming pool paintings of LA, the audience is taken on a tour of the artist’s experimentations from the past 60 years. For something even more otherworldly, check out The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks, the second show on at the venue currently which delves into the world of moon travel. Plan your visit.

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