Blockbuster exhibitions in the South
Planning an art excursion in the South of England? From a deep-dive into money in Oxford to vibrant contemporary landscape paintings in Bristol, don't miss out on the biggest exhibitions.
The South of England is brimming with cultural hotspots, from visitor favourites such as Tate St Ives and The Holburne Museum to historic houses like artists' haven Charleston and literary retreat Chawton House.
And there's plenty to see and do with a rolling programme of must-see exhibitions running throughout the year. Whether you're a history buff or fascinated by the new, you're bound to find an exhibition you'll love.
Here's our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in the South open now.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.
Discover some of the best exhibitions in the South with an Art Pass
Money Talks: Art, Society & Power
Money, money, money – we often hate to talk about it, but what does it say about us? Explore how money intersects with art and culture in this major exhibition at the Ashmolean, through both the images that decorate it and the artists who investigate it to understand power dynamics and its role in society.
Nengi Omuku: The Dance of People and the Natural World
Journey through lush landscapes in Nengi Omuku's colourful paintings that blend humans with nature to explore the relationship between the individual and the collective and investigate ideas of belonging. Omuku's works move beyond traditional western landscape painting, allowing images from past and present, the real and the imaginary, to coexist. While you're at Arnolfini, dive into Adébayo Bolaji's exploration of beauty through sculpture, painting and film.
The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Discover some of the biggest name in contemporary art in this major exhibition that previously toured at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Marvel at large-scale works that explore the representation of the Black figure in art, asking questions about race, identity and history. Don't miss this incredible exhibition before it travels to America.
Peggy Guggenheim: Petersfield to Palazzo
An art world icon, Peggy Guggenheim is renowned for her 20th-century art collection that now resides in Venice. This Art Funded exhibition shines a spotlight on five of her lesser-known years living in a cottage near Petersfield, where she dedicated herself to domesticity and her children, a far cry from the glitz and glamour of the art world she soon returned to.
The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain
Whether you're a still life stan or sceptic, have your preconceptions challenged in this huge group exhibition showcasing 100 artists. Discover how they've used different approaches to reimagine the traditional genre of still life in order to understand the human condition. Journey through art history, from 17th-century vanitas paintings, which use symbolism to convey ideas of mortality and vanity, through to contemporary conceptual works of art.
The more you see, the more we do.
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