London’s January 2026 Art Scene: Must-See Exhibitions & Fairs

London's vibrant art scene kicks off January 2026 with a diverse array of exhibitions and art fairs, offering something for every interest. The month features a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, from deeply personal photographic diaries to historical explorations and contemporary reflections on global issues.

Highlights include Sverre Malling's “At The Mistress' Request” at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, presenting fantastical and macabre drawings inspired by European cultural history. Gagosian hosts a dual exhibition celebrating 40-year anniversaries: Nan Goldin's “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” captures gender, intimacy, and power in downtown New York, while Richard Avedon's “Facing West” showcases his iconic photographs of working-class America. The British Museum's “Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans” delves into the archipelago's thousand-year history, featuring over 150 objects, including a rare feathered cloak and a king's letter seeking alliance from 200 years ago.

Mental health is a central theme in several shows. Bethlem Museum of the Mind's “Kindred” explores the power of community and the emotions evoked by gatherings or fractures, particularly for those facing mental health challenges. Similarly, “The Weight of Being” at Two Temple Place presents mental health as a universal human experience, showcasing vulnerability and resilience in British art. Other notable exhibitions include Jane Hayes Greenwood's “Weird Weather” at Ione & Mann, merging surreal landscapes with personal loss and climate crisis symbolism, and KV Duong's “Where Wound Becomes Water” at Pippy Houldsworth, which uses latex to explore his complex heritage as an ethnically Chinese artist from Vietnam, raised in Canada.

Emerging talent is celebrated in “New Contemporaries 2026” at South London Gallery, featuring artists like Makiko Harris and Varvara Uhlik, who explore femininity and generational trauma. Georg Wilson's “Against Nature” at Pilar Corrias re-imagines the British countryside with a focus on poisonous plants and wild creatures. Additionally, short-run exhibitions like ArtCan's “(IM)Material” and OHSH Projects' “Pelt” provide varied artistic perspectives. The London Art Fair and Fresh Art Fair offer opportunities for collectors and enthusiasts to discover modern and contemporary art, solidifying London's position as a global art hub. These exhibitions collectively offer profound insights into human experience, history, and contemporary societal challenges, largely accessible for free, fostering cultural engagement and reflection.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/museums-and-galleries/the-top-exhibitions-to-see-in-london-january-2026)