6 must-see exhibitions in London that end in August 2023

August brings an end to some outstanding exhibitions. Here's a guide highlighting six must-see exhibitions that will sadly be closing their doors in August. Make sure to catch these shows before they're gone for good!

Isaac Julien: What Freedom Is to Me 

Image: Installation view, Once Again... (Statues Never Die), Tate Britain, 2023. Photo_ Jack Hems. © Isaac Julien, Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro.

#FLODown: Tate Britain presents the first survey exhibition of British artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien. Spanning four decades, the exhibition showcases his pioneering films and immersive installations, exploring themes of politics, identity, and artistry. Highlights include Looking for Langston and Lessons of the Hour. This compelling exhibition is a celebration of Julien's influential career.

Date: until 20 August 2023. Location: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. Price: from £17. Concessions available. Book now.

 

Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World

Image: Hassan Sharif (1951, Bandar Lengeh - 2016, Dubai) Cloth 2. Emirati Art Reimagined: Hassan Sharif and the Contemporary Voices part of Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World. Christie’s London. July 2023.  © MTotoe.

#FLODown: Christie's in London presents an extraordinary exhibition celebrating the Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Barjeel Art Foundation. The showcase features a diverse collection spanning over 80 years of creativity. The exhibition pays homage to the artistic diversity of West Asia and North Africa, showcasing celebrated and underrepresented Arab artists.The exhibition has a focus on the profound legacy of pioneering Emirati conceptual artist, Hassan Sharif, and how his dynamic creativity shaped the United Arab Emirates' art scene. It's a superb exhibition showcasing a vast and diverse collection of artworks that offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into the rich history of art in the Arab world.

 Date: until 23 August 2023. Location: Christie's, 8 King St, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6QT. Price: Free. Website: christies.com.

Reframe: The Residency Exhibition 

Image: Reframe: The Residency Exhibition. Photo by Pete Woodhead

#FLODown: Experience the immersive exhibition Reframe: The Residency Exhibition, showcasing powerful responses from 77 Black and Black mixed heritage artists to climate change. Part of Southbank Centre's career acceleration program, Reframe empowers Black creatives, addressing barriers in the arts and creative industries. Curated by Misan Harriman, the free exhibition combines film, photography, music, and sound design to offer a unique perspective on the climate emergency.

Date: until 27 August 2023.  Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: Free.

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2023

Image: Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2023. June 2023. © MTotoe

#FLODown: The Royal Academy of Arts presents the 255th Summer Exhibition, featuring contemporary art and architecture. Coordinated by David Remfry RA, the exhibition explores the theme of "Only Connect," inspired by E.M. Forster's novel Howards End. It provides a platform for artists at all stages of their careers, showcasing new works by a diverse range of artists including Lindsey Mendick, Paul Dash, Jenkin van Zyl, Harminder Judge, Ida Applebroog and more. The exhibition also features works by Royal Academicians and Honorary Royal Academicians, including Frank Bowling, Tracey Emin, Gillian Wearing, Mimmo Paladino, Pipilotti Rist, Kiki Smith, and newly elected members Roger Hiorns, Hew Locke, Veronica Ryan, and Barbara Walker.

Date: until 20 August 2023. Location: Burlington House,
Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD
. Price: from £20; concessions available. Book now.

Kate Montgomery: Pattern Book 

Image: Kate Montgomery, Drawing in the Abandoned Palace, 2023.

#FLODown: Pattern Book is an exquisite collection of paintings by Kate Montgomery, influenced by textiles and Islamic patterns. Extended at Long & Ryle, her small canvases painted with precision in casein on board become vessels of narratives and nostalgia. Montgomery's work invites viewers to explore private moments and domestic tranquility, evoking emotions through vibrant colours and intricate compositions.

Date: until 11 August 2023. Location: Long and Lyle, 4 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4PX. Price: Free.

Only Until This Cigarette is Ended

Image: Storm Party, 2023 by Brittany Fanning. Image courtesy of the artist and Pictorum Gallery

#FLODown: Only Until This Cigarette is Ended is a group exhibition at Pictorum Gallery featuring nine international artists. Inspired by Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem, the exhibition explores collective memory and reflection. The artists, including Leily Moghtader Mojdehi, Tosin Kalejaye, Naomi Boiko, Olamide Ogunade, Elena Rivera-Montanes, Verde, Nina Baxter, Johanna Bath, and Brittany Fanning, approach the theme through their unique experiences, culture, and heritage. Through interdisciplinary textile works, portraits, paintings, and photography-based artworks, the exhibition offers a diverse range of artistic expressions, inviting viewers to engage with contemplative and nostalgic explorations.

Date: until 11 August 2023. Location: 2 Portman Square, London, W1H 6LA. Price: Free. Website: pictorumgallery.com