Marilyn Monroe At The Portrait Gallery & 7 Other Exhibitions To See Right Now
London is blessed with a higher density of world-class museums and galleries than almost any other city on earth, and the current cultural calendar is brimming with must-see exhibitions. From groundbreaking contemporary installations to rare showcases of seminal works, there is an incredible breadth of art waiting to be discovered across the city. Here are our top picks to add to your list.
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
This week marks the official opening of Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery.
In celebration of the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday, the gallery will be displaying a collection that explores the life, legacy and career of the beloved American actress, in a bid to peel back the ‘blonde bombshell’ persona and reveal the woman behind the image.
It will bring together works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas, and James Gill, displayed alongside a collection of Monroe’s personal belongings, including clothing, books, and scripts.
I love the intimacy of this exhibition – we all know Marilyn as a beautiful movie star, but this collection goes beyond that so you can see the vulnerable, cheeky, youthful side to her too.
Kitty, Social Media Manager & Content Creator
Where: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Open until: 6 September 2026
Book here
David Bowie: You’re Not Alone
A new installation has just landed at the Lightroom, celebrating the life and legacy of a British rock legend. David Bowie: You’re Not Alone is a multimedia spectacle that documents iconic performances and interviews as well as never-before-exhibited material from the visionary artist.
Projected across 11-metre-high walls, the exhibition offers a multisensory experience like no other.
I always love stopping by the Light Room, as their 360° shows completely pull you in. The David Bowie exhibition was no different. There will never be another Bowie, so I’d highly recommend experiencing his shows here.
Kitty, Social Media Manager & Content Creator
Where: 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, London
open until: 10 October 2026
Book here
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art officially opened at the V&A museum last month and spans over 100 years of the designer’s life and influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and evolution under its current creative director, Daniel Roseberry.
The impressive showcase features over 200 objects, combining high fashion with fine art, photography, and archival treasures. The exhibition also showcases works from Elsa’s collaborators, Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Man Ray.
For more info on what to expect, read our full review here.
From seeing some of the fashion house’s most iconic pieces in the flesh, to discovering new gowns adorned with gold emblems this is a must-visit for all art and fashion lovers.
Amelia, Culture & Lifestyle Writer/Creator
Where: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road
London, SW7 2RL
Open Until: 8 November 2026
Book Here
Tracey Emin: A Second Life
Tracey Emin: A Second Life traces 40 years of the acclaimed artist’s groundbreaking practice. Dubbed one of the most important contemporary artists of our generation, this exhibition will showcase some of her most famous and controversial works for the first time in years.
Among the pieces to look out for is the Turner Prize-nominated My Bed (1998), which, over twenty years on, continues to spark fierce critical and public debate, and I Never Asked to Fall in Love – You Made me Feel Like This (2018).
Dubbed one of the most important contemporary artists of our generation, this exhibition will showcase some of her most famous and controversial works for the first time in years.
Where: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Open Until: 13 August 2026
Book here
David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting
The Serpentine Gallery is currently exhibiting a collection of new and recent works by David Hockney. David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting displays a new collection by the acclaimed British artist, comprising five still lifes alongside five portraits that depict members of the artist’s close circle.
Accompanying the exhibition, the gallery also showcases a large-scale printed mural by Hockney in the garden at Serpentine North. The work highlights a scene from A Year in Normandie’s spring cycle, depicting a tree house.
This free exhibition is well worth your visit. The display of vibrant spring colors is absolutely captivating.
Amelia, Culture & Lifestyle Writer/Creator
Where: Serpentine North, West Carriage Drive, W2 2AR
Open until: 23 August 2026
Book here
The Music Is Black: A British Story
The V&A East Storehouse has officially opened its doors at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, marking a bold new chapter for London’s cultural landscape. Launching this milestone is the landmark exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story.
This new exhibition tracks 125 years of Black music-making spanning Bob Marley through to Olivia Dean and Jorja Smith.
The exhibition spans an ambitious 125-year timeline, meticulously charting the profound influence of Black music-making on British culture. Visitors are taken on a sonic journey from the arrival of early pioneers and the legendary influence of global icons like Bob Marley, through to the contemporary brilliance of artists like Olivia Dean and Jorja Smith.
Where: 107 Carpenters Rd, Stratford Cross, London E20 2AR
Open Until: 3 January 2027
Book here
Queen Elizabeth: Her Life In Style
The latest exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, invites the public to discover the remarkable style of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style tracks ten decades of the late royal’s life from birth and childhood through to her impressive reign as Queen of England.
Featuring approximately 200 items, this is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II to date. Highlights include her christening robe, wedding dress, coronation gown and the ensemble worn for Princess Margaret’s wedding.
Featuring approximately 200 items, this is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II to date.
Where: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Open Until: 18 October 2026
Book here
Cecily Brown: Picture Making
While Hockney is taking over The North, Cecily Brown: Picture Making is currently taking over The Serpentine South Gallery. This collection showcases both recent art and key paintings dating back to 2001 by Cecily Brown.
The new pieces draw upon The Serpentine’s unique location in Kensington Gardens, a site of personal significance to the artist. A stroll around Hyde Park coupled with a visit to this new exhibition, and perhaps a trip over the road to the North Gallery, is a must-add to your Spring itinerary.
Where: Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA
Open until: 6 September 2026
Book here
