Carrot in London: These seven art exhibitions are a must-see (and completely free!)

Feeling creatively uninspired? In need of some fun and thought-provoking experiences? Check out our guide for the best free art exhibitions you can visit in London right now and start planning your next day out. Carrot encourages you to make the most out of London’s free exhibitions this spring.

1) Allison Katz: Artery – Camden Art Centre

https://www.instagram.com/p/CY9aJvIO0uj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In this exhibition, Allison Katz explores themes of identity, expression, and voice over 20 paintings. The paintings are autobiographical, inspired largely by Katz’s own dreams and experiences. The eccentric compositions make the paintings metaphysical and give you the chance to make your own interpretations about them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZXAcZMUqc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Until 13^th March 2022

2) Gisela McDaniel: ‘Manhaga Fu’una’ – Pilar Corrias Gallery

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZMgQlis4hg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gisela McDaniel’s work challenges the colonial impact of painters like Gauguin and Picasso on portrait painting (which typically made the sitter an object of desire) by giving the women she paints their own agency. Her solo exhibition highlights the Chamorro women, an indigenous community from the Marianas Islands. The vibrant colour schemes and mixed media approach makes her work dynamic and brings greater focus to the women in her paintings. If you are interested in seeing a fresh perspective on traditional portraits, this exhibition is for you.

Gisela McDaniel: Inagofli’e/ Image by Milena Cherkashina

Until 26^th March 2022

3) Joy – Wellcome Collection

https://www.instagram.com/p/CY1cM30jOBL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

This exhibition manages to explore the complexity of joy and the effects it has on your body and mental health without falling into pretentiousness. Using art, historical artefacts, and extracts from scientific research, the exhibition allows you to deeply reflect on what makes you happy in life and the roadblocks society puts in your journey towards it.

Untitled by David shirgley Art exhibitions — David Shrigley: Untitled/ Image by Milena Cherkashina

Until 27^th March 2022

4) Testament – Goldsmiths CCA

https://www.instagram.com/p/CY8ju3koAw2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The exhibition directly confronts three of the most pressing issues in the UK: the Black Lives Matter movement, Brexit, and the climate crisis. More specifically, the exhibition explores the social impact of monuments in relation to those issues, and their importance is debated by artworks from 47 different artists.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXjV_XJIw61/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Until 3^rd April 2022

5) Kehinde Wiley at the National Gallery: The Prelude – National Gallery

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYwFGW0sMCR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In this exhibition, Kehinde Wiley transforms traditional European landscape and Grand Manner portraits into social commentary about power and privilege by positioning black people in place of the original figures. The paintings and the accompanying film actively challenge the lack of representation in the Western canon of art.

In search of the miraculous by Kehinde Wiley Art exhibitions — Kehinde Wiley: In Search of the Miraculous , 2021/ Image by Milena Cherkashina

Until 18^th April 2022

6) Gainsborough’s Blue Boy – National Gallery

Thomas Gainsborough: The Blue Boy/ Image by Milena Cherkashina

In 1921, Thomas Gainsborough’s iconic painting ‘The Blue Boy’ (1770) was sold to art dealer Joseph Duveen, who then resold it for £182,000 to an American businessman (the highest painting purchase at the time). A whole century later, the painting returns to it’s exhibitions at the National Gallery. While the exhibition mostly appeals to the excitement of art history aficionados, the surrounding four paintings provide great context as to why this painting is so famous.

Until 15^th May 2022

7) A Year in Art: Australia 1992 – Tate Modern

Alhalkere by Emily kame kngwarreye Art exhibitions — Emily Kame Kngwarreye: Untitled (Alhalkere)/ Image by Milena Cherkashina

The emphasis on the year 1992 is a nod to the landmark case in Australia known as the ‘Mabo Decision’, where the High Court ruled in favour of Torres Strait Islander activist Edward Koiki Mabo. This overturned the doctrine the British used to justify colonising Australia. The deeply moving exhibition features art that explores the continuing impact of colonisation on Australia and the lack of representation in Australian society.