A guide to art exhibition to explore in London in March 2023

London's cultural scene has an exciting line-up of captivating exhibitions this March. Among them, an exhibition that will celebrate the remarkable legacy of the most influential Black artists from the southeastern region of the United States over the past century. Meanwhile, the talented photographer Sarah Ainslie will showcase a stunning collection of portraits, capturing the grit and grace of the hardworking women of Bethnal Green in their daily tasks. And for those with an eye for intricate beauty and cultural history, the exhibit on Japanese silk braiding promises to be a highlight, showcasing the captivating art form with unparalleled artistry and skill. Here is our guide to exhibitions to see in London this March.

 Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney

Image: Edwin Landseer, Hector, Nero and Dash with the Parrot Lory, 1838 Royal Collection Trust © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

#FLODown: The Wallace Collection will finally showcase an eagerly anticipated exhibition of dog portraits, after it was postponed due to the pandemic in 2020. Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney celebrates our deep connection with dogs throughout history. Through a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and even taxidermy, the exhibition highlights the unique bond between humans and their canine companions. Dog portraiture emerged alongside its human counterpart and flourished in Britain from the seventeenth century onwards. The British have a particular fondness for commissioning and collecting dog portraits, making it an art form that is uniquely celebrated in our culture. Date: 29 March - 15 October 2023. Location: The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN. Price: from £14.

Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South

Image: Denim, corduroy, and cotton. 205.7 x 157.5 cm. Souls Grown Deep Foundation, Atlanta. © 2023 Marlene Bennett Jones / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London. Photo: Stephen Pitkin/Pitkin Studio.

#FLODown: Souls Grown Deep Like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South" will showcase approximately 64 works by 34 artists spanning from the mid-20th century to the present day. The unique creativity of the featured artists has given rise to artworks that frequently reflect the South's painful history, including the inhumane practice of enslavement, the cruel segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era, institutionalized racism, and the Civil Rights Movement. Both the subjects and materials of these works resonate with the legacy of the region, making for a powerful and impactful exhibition. Location: The Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries
, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London, W1J 0BD. Date:17 March – 18 June 2023. Price: from £13.Concessions available; under 16s go free.

After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art

Image: Paul Gauguin,Vision of the Sermon (Jacob Wrestling with the Angel), 1888 © National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.

#FLODown: Experience a spectacular showcase of some of the most significant works of art created between 1886 and 1914. With contributions from museums and private collections around the world, this exhibition features over a hundred paintings and sculptures by some of history's most iconic artists, including Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Klimt, Käthe Kollwitz, Sonia Delaunay, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. Beyond celebrating Paris as the international artistic capital, the exhibition also pays tribute to the exciting and revolutionary artistic developments that took place in other European cities during this period. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty and creativity of this transformative era of modern art, and don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to witness its greatness firsthand. Location: Rooms 1-8
, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN. Date: 25 March – 13 August 2023. Price: from £24 Monday – Friday, from £26 Saturday and Sunday.

Berthe Morisot: Shaping Impressionism

Image: Berthe Morisot, Eugène Manet on the Isle of Wight, 1885 © Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.

#FLODown: Step into the captivating world of Berthe Morisot in this highly anticipated exhibition, which marks the first major showcase of this celebrated artist in the UK since 1950. In collaboration with the prestigious Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the exhibition features over 30 of Morisot's most significant works from international collections, including many that have never been seen in the UK before.Unveiling Morisot as a pioneering force of the Impressionist movement, the exhibition sheds light on her previously overlooked contributions to the movement and explores the unique connection between her work and 18th-century culture. Approximately 15 works will be on display for comparison, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Morisot's evolution as an artist. Location: Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD. Date:  31 March - 10 September 2023. Price: from £16.50.

Ravelle Pillay: Idyll

Image: Ravelle Pillay, A Gathering of Friends (The Instruction), 2023. Oil on canvas. Commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery, courtesy the artist.

#FLODown: Chisenhale Gallery present Idyll, the first UK solo exhibition by Johannesburg-based artist Ravelle Pillay. Idyll includes eight never-before-seen oil paintings on canvas, ranging from near life-size to smaller portraits. The works are hung alongside a series of Indian ink drawings on acetate. Connecting sites of enduring personal interest to the fallibility of memory, Idyll continues the artist’s reflections on how we remember – history, places and people. Date: 24 February-23 April 2023. Location: 64 Chisenhale Road, London, E3 5QZ. Price: Free.

Sarah Ainslie: Women of Bethnal Green at Work

Image: Donna Wood, Postwoman, Royal Mail

#FLODown: Oxford House's heritage programme presents an exhibition of portraits captured by photographer Sarah Ainslie. The collection showcases a diverse range of women, including tradeswomen, community organisers, faith leaders, artists, and shopkeepers who contribute to the vibrancy of life in Bethnal Green. Over the past three decades, Sarah has been documenting these remarkable women, and this exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their valuable contributions. Date: until March 31, 2023. Location:  Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG, Price Free.

Anthony Caro: The Inspiration of Architecture

Image: Child’s Tower Room, 1983/1984, Japanese oak, varnished, Photo by John Riddy

#FLODown: Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the late, celebrated sculptor Anthony Caro's breathtaking painted metal works in a setting that is both striking and steeped in history. This exhibition provides a profound exploration of Caro's imaginative use of materials and forms, and showcases his significant contribution to the progression of modern sculpture. The display boasts several expansive installations, some of which incorporate steps and doors, making for an exceptional chance to encounter the intricacy and profundity of Caro's sculptures, and how they seamlessly transcend into the realm of architecture. Date: 9 March-10 September 2023 Location: Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ. Price: from £9.90

 Ermias Ekube and Eric Pina: Foreign Lands

Image: Instant Bref et un Regard II, 2022, Eric PinaI

#FLODown: Foreign Lands unites the exquisite artistry of two gifted artists hailing from the African continent - Ermias Ekube, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Eritrea, and Eric Pina, originally from Senegal. The exhibition offers a compelling exploration of integration, self-identification, and cultural ownership through the lens of the artists' encounters with foreign landscapes and their reflections on the environment. With masterful skill, Ekube and Pina bring to life the stories of their past and present through their creative practice, brilliantly capturing the unique narratives of the foreign landscapes they have experienced. Date: 23 February – 25 March 2023. Location: Ed Cross Fine Art, 19 Garrett Street, EC1Y OTY. Price: Free.

 

KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo

Image: KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo, Japan House London, February 2023

#FLODown: Experience the intricate art of Japanese silk braiding at KUMIHIMO, the UK's first major exhibition dedicated to the ancient practice. Hosted by Japan House London, the exhibition delves into the rich history of the craft, spanning over 1300 years. Discover the wide-ranging applications of Kumihimo, from fashion to science and engineering, that continue to inspire modern-day creatives. Location: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA. Date: 23 February – June 2023 .Price: Free.

Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Peter Doig 

Image: Image: Peter Doig, Alpinist, 2022.©  MTotoe

#FLODown: The exhibition showcases a captivating ensemble of paintings, all crafted since the artist's relocation from Trinidad to London in 2021. The collection of works presented at the exhibition are deeply intertwined with the places where the artist has resided and created, including the UK, Canada, and Trinidad. Alongside the new paintings, you will also find a series of prints, masterfully created by Doig in response to the poetry of his late friend and collaborator, Derek Walcott.  Location: The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN Date: until 29 May 2023. Price: from £14. Concessions available.

Nalini Malani: My Reality is Different

Image:  Nalini Malani in front of Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus at the National Gallery © Photo: The National Gallery, London

#FLODown: Step into an enthralling world of artistry and imagination with Nalini Malani's latest exhibition, My Reality is Different. The exhibition space is an immersive experience, enveloped in a deep black hue that provides a dramatic contrast to the monumental artwork that spans over 40 metres of wall. At the heart of the exhibition lies a collection of 25 new animations, each one expertly crafted to create a captivating panorama of nine large video projections that play in a continuous loop. Drawing inspiration from a unique selection of famous paintings at the National Gallery and the Holburne Museum in Bath, The exhibition also has fictitious portraits of the marginalised in society that appear in between the animations; a reference to people whose work underpins the economies that connect us across the globe. The exhibition title, My Reality is Different, takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass, where the Cheshire Cat famously states, 'I'm not crazy, my reality is different from yours.' Location: Sunley Room,The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London,WC2N 5DN. Date: 2 March – 11 June 2023. Price: Free.

The Playground by HAART

Image: Black Swans (2022) by Lerato Motaung. Image courtesy of the artist and HAART

#FLODown: Join House of African Art (HAART)  for an exciting group exhibition titled The Playground, offering a captivating exploration into the world of childhood through the lens of five talented visual artists: Azael Langa, Lerato Motaung, Lindokuhle Khumalo, Olamide Ogunade, and Qhamanande Maswana. This exhibition will feature brand new bodies of work from each artist, and will be accompanied by a diverse programme of evening talks, live performances and music. Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with some of the most exciting contemporary artists and their fresh perspectives on the theme of childhood. Date: Thursday 2 March - Tuesday 7 March 2023 Location: Hoxton Arches, 402 Cremer Street, London, E2 8HD. Price: from Free - £18.

The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance

Image: Quinten Massys, An Old Woman ('The Ugly Duchess'), about 1513. Oil on oak. 62.4 × 45.5 cm Bequeathed by Miss Jenny Louisa Roberta Blaker, 1947. © Photo: The National Gallery, London

#FLODown: Experience a spectacular showcase of some of the most significant works of art created between 1886 and 1914. With contributions from museums and private collections around the world, this exhibition features over a hundred paintings and sculptures by some of history's most iconic artists, including Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Klimt, Käthe Kollwitz, Sonia Delaunay, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. Beyond celebrating Paris as the international artistic capital, the exhibition also pays tribute to the exciting and revolutionary artistic developments that took place in other European cities during this period. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to witness the extraordinary beauty and creativity of this transformative era of modern art. Location: Room 46,The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London,WC2N 5DN. Date: 
16 March-11 June 2023 
Price: Free.

Jitish Kallat: Whorled (Here After Here After Here)

Image: Whorled (Here After Here After Here), artist: Jitish Kallat, Somerset House courtyard, February 2023, © MTotoe

#FLODown: Whorled (Here After Here After Here) represents the latest courtyard commission by Somerset House, featuring the talented Mumbai-based artist Jitish Kallat in his debut major public commission within the UK. The installation features two intersecting spirals that span an impressive 336 metres, adorned with symbols that closely mirror the visual identity of the UK's road signage. These symbols serve as markers, highlighting the distance from Somerset House to various locations across the planet and beyond - from celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars to distant stars nestled within the Milky Way. Date: until 23 April 2023. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA Price: Free.

Rites of Passage

Image: Àsìkò Pillars at the Port (2022), Àsìkò

#FLODown: Rites of Passage, has been curated by the talented Péjú Oshin and features works by eighteen contemporary artists who share a rich history of migration. The central theme of the exhibition is the concept of "liminal space," a term coined by the esteemed anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in his seminal 1909 book, which gives the exhibition its name. Van Gennep observed that transitional events such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death are marked by ceremonies with a ritual function that transcends cultural boundaries. The exhibition will delve into this intriguing phenomenon, exploring it across physical, mental, and spiritual realms, and defying linear narratives through an array of works in a diverse range of mediums. It promises to be an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Location: Gagosian Gallery, 6-24 Britannia St, London WC1X 9JD. Date: 16 March– 29 April 2023. Price: Free.  

Last chance to see

Sasha Huber: YOU NAME IT

Image:  Sasha Huber: YOU NAME IT, Autograph Gallery, December 2022, MTotoe

#FLODown: Discover how colonial histories are imprinted into the landscape through naming and acts of remembrance in Sasha Huber's YOU NAME IT exhibition. This thought-provoking display showcases over a decade of Huber's artwork, inspired by the Demounting Louis Agassiz campaign. In 2007, Huber joined the transatlantic committee, aimed at readdressing the legacy of Swiss-born naturalist and glaciologist Louis Agassiz, known for promoting segregation and "racial hygiene" through scientific racism. With over 80 landmarks bearing his name on Earth, the Moon, and Mars, Agassiz's dark legacy is often overlooked. Huber's exhibition aims to heal colonial and historical traumas through her visually arresting portraits, created by symbolically stitching wounds together with a staple gun. Date: until 25 March 2023 Location: Autograph, Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA. Price: Free.

The EY Exhibition: Cezanne 

#FLODown: The breathtaking collection of Paul Cezanne's works, on display at the Tate Modern, is set to conclude this month. The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into Cezanne's artistic journey, showcasing his earliest paintings in his twenties through to his final creations in the last months of his life. With over 80 meticulously chosen works from various museums in Europe, Asia, North and South America, this exhibition presents UK audiences with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the remarkable expanse of Cezanne's career, a chance not offered in over 25 years. Date: until 12 March 2023. Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, Holland Street, London, SE1 9TG Price: £22.Concessions available.

Light Festival at Battersea Power Station

Image: Light Festival, Battersea Power Station

#FLODown: Returning for its third year, the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station is brightening up the dark winter evenings with their largest collection of installations to date. Featuring eight spectacular pieces of artwork that are on display both inside and outside of the iconic Power Station. Date: until 5 March 2023. Location: Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL. Price: Free.