The exhibitions you must see this October

Immerse yourself in the visionary world of Es Devlin, a genre-defying artist whose work blends sculpture, sound, installation and poetry to create moments of collectivity for the audience, often transcending the typical exhibition experience. From her love of drawing that began in her school years to her set design of the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, trace the evolution of this innovative and creative artist who has gone on to work with some of the biggest names working in music today.

What does home mean to you? From Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage to William Morris's Red House, discover the artists and thinkers whose homes defied convention and offered alternative visions of how to live. In turn, they transformed our understanding of the home while having a significant influence on art and activism in the UK. And did you know? This major touring exhibition is supported by Art Fund's Going Places programme, which would not be possible without the support of our National Art Pass holders.

Marvel at the magic of mushrooms, as revealed by contemporary artists and scientific knowledge. Works of ceramic, glass, photography, painting and textile offer creative interpretations of how fungi impact the world around us, and our cultural imagination. Highlights include two new commissions inspired by RAMM's Natural Sciences collection, and watercolours by Beatrix Potter.

Experience the first major exhibition dedicated to the French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir since 2007. Marvel at over 50 works, including the UK debut of the iconic Bal au Moulin de la Galette. Tracing the pivotal years in Renoir's career, from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s, the exhibition spotlights how his depictions of love and friendship became celebrations of modern life and experiences.

Indulge in some 90s nostalgia in this celebratory exhibition, spotlighting a cultural moment defined by the rise of the supermodel, Cool Britannia, and the Young British Artists. Set against the backdrop of Britain emerging out of a recession, this period saw an explosion of creativity – where art, fashion and music collided and a new generation of artists redefined British culture.

Journey through history to meet an original icon: Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty and desire. From ancient sculptures and bronzes dating back to 1400 BCE, to a dress worn by Beyoncé on her 2023 Renaissance world tour – discover how the female deity and her mythologies have captured our imaginations for over 5,000 years.

From Circe in Homer's Odyssey, who transformed men into animals, to the Three Witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, who lead him to his downfall – the figure of the witch has long captured the public imagination. But did you know? The fascination with the witch had devastating consequences, resulting in the marginalisation, torture and execution of thousands of women. In this exhibition, dive into the legacy of the Suffolk witch trials between 1645 and 1647, and learn about the people most impacted by this dark story.

Formed in London in 1848, the Pre-Raphaelites were a band of young rebel artists who challenged the academic conventions taught by the Royal Academy and rooted in the classical work of Raphael. Instead, they turned to medieval and early Renaissance art, and to poetry – translating its words into vivid, richly detailed images. This Art Fund-supported exhibition brings together over 100 paintings, drawings, textiles and historic objects to reveal how central poetry was to Pre-Raphaelite art. Highlights include key works by the groups leading artists – John Everett Millais, William Holman Hunt, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti – as well as art by important women artists of the time – Elizabeth Siddall, Kate Bunce, and Julia Margaret Cameron.