The exhibitions you must see this July

One of the most famous artists in the world, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo takes centre stage at Tate Modern in this tribute to her work and legacy. If her works are unfamiliar to you, her iconic look probably isn't – the unibrow, red lips and floral crown have become so synonymous with the artist that they now adorn everything from tea towels to water bottles in gift shops worldwide. In what is arguably the exhibition of the year, explore over 30 of her paintings alongside 200 works by the artists she inspired, and discover for yourself what all the 'Fridamania' is about.

In a new project by documentary photographer Polly Braden, journey to the UK's coastal towns and meet the young people who call them home. Spanning Scarborough to Blackpool, Braden travelled across England and Wales to collaborate with her subjects. The result is an intimate series of photographs that tell their stories and illuminate the challenges they face, from the precarity of seasonal employment to the building of creative communities.

Discover the powerful work of Ana Mendieta, the Cuban-born American artist who explores the human body, identity and the natural world through film, performance, painting and sculpture. Active in the 70s and 80s, Mendieta's boundary-pushing art still captivates audiences today. Find out why in the first major UK exhibition of her work in over ten years.

John Constable is one of Britain's most important painters. Celebrate 250 years since the birth of this Suffolk born artist in an exhibition of some of his most famous works, most notably The Hay Wain which goes on display in the very county is depicts for the first time. Showcasing key works on loan from the National Gallery, Tate, the V&A, Royal Academy of Arts and the National Galleries of Scotland, this exhibition was supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund.

Spanning the 1950s to today, explore how 27 Japanese women photographers have shaped their country's image through over 200 photographs, videos, installations and rare photobooks. From pop culture and fashion,to identity and everyday life, this exhibition paints a vivid portrait of Japan – told by the pioneering women artists who redefined photography to capture the changing world around them.

Dive into the life and legacy of Gillian Ayres, a modern painter who created vibrant, experimental works bursting with colour and emotion. Undeterred by the male dominance of a post-war British art world, or by the changing of artistic trends, Ayres remained committed to her painting practice throughout her life. She was also a pioneering figure in arts education and became the first woman head of painting at Winchester College of Art.

And, did you hear the news? The Box just won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026. So, there's even more reason to visit this month.

One of the most photographed families in the world, discover how the British Royal Family's relationship with the camera has evolved since Queen Victoria's reign to today. From renowned state ceremonies to private family moments, peek at over 100 images that unveil royal life.

Experience a solo exhibition by Cardiff-based artist, writer and founder of artist-led space g39, Anthony Shapland. Blending documentary and fiction, Shapland's work draws on his lived experience of growing up as a queer person in a rural place to construct intimate portraits of people who live on the edges of these landscapes.

Witness radical emancipation and collective action in this boundary-pushing exhibition highlighting feminist and queer artists, writers and thinkers. Inspired by Audre Lorde's influential essay 'The Master’s Tools will Never Dismantle the Master’s House', the exhibition includes a wide range of art, from videos and sculptures, to paintings and drawings.