Art exhibitions to see at Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2025
In 2025, Dulwich Picture Gallery will showcase a series of exhibitions highlighting the work of three outstanding female artists from different eras. The programme will feature a groundbreaking contemporary exhibition by Rachel Jones, a major retrospective of the celebrated Danish artist Anna Ancher, and a thought-provoking display by London-based painter Somaya Critchlow. Each exhibition provides a distinct exploration of art history, creativity, and identity.
Somaya Critchlow: The Chamber
Somaya Critchlow, image by Graham Turner.
The year begins with Somaya Critchlow and her exhibition, The Chamber, where the London-based artist revisits the Old Masters of Dulwich’s collection with a contemporary twist. Drawing on the grand narratives of mythology and religion depicted in historic paintings, Critchlow’s works investigate the underlying power dynamics often obscured in traditional storytelling. As part of the Unlocking Paintings series, her bold, provocative creations shed new light on familiar themes and invite viewers to question established interpretations.
Date: 4 February – 20 July 2025.
Rachel Jones: Bold Abstraction and Identity
Rachel Jones, image by Adama Jalloh.
Summer brings Rachel Jones, a trailblazing contemporary artist, to Dulwich’s main exhibition space for the first time. Known for her layered, colour-rich works, Jones explores themes of identity and emotion through abstraction. Her newly commissioned pieces for Dulwich will draw inspiration from the gallery’s historic collection while extending her unique approach to painting, creating an immersive experience that bridges the past and present.
Date: 10 June – 19 October 2025.
Anna Ancher: A Danish Pioneer
Anna Ancher, Sunlight in the blue room, 1891. Oil on canvas.
Closing the year is Anna Ancher, one of Denmark’s most celebrated artists. This is the first major UK exhibition dedicated to Ancher, whose works vividly capture the beauty and nuance of everyday life in late 19th- and early 20th-century Scandinavia. With her masterful use of light and colour, Ancher transformed scenes of domestic life and landscapes into profound artistic statements, earning her a place as a central figure in the Skagen artist colony. This retrospective features over 40 works, including rare loans from the Art Museums of Skagen.
Date: 4 November 2025 – 8 March 2026.