After a year of loss and struggle, the art world is making a comeback. Tickets for the new David Hockney show at the Royal Academy are selling fast - but that’s not the only exhibition prepping for visitors when the world reopens.
The Barbican has a new show for French modernist Jean Debuffet, the British Museum is marking the 850th anniversary of Thomas Becket’s murder, and one of Poland’s most loved artworks is going on display at the National Gallery.
From the latest at the Tate to what’s on at the Southbank Centre, these are London’s hottest shows to book now.
Rachel Whiteread: Internal Objects
New work from the first female Turner Prize-winner.
April 12-June 5, gagosian.com
David Hockney/ Michael Armitage
The Normandy landscapes created by Hockney last spring, and dreamlike oil paintings by Kenyan-born Armitage.
Hockney, May 23-Sep 26; Michael Armitage, May 22-Sep 19, royalacademy.org.uk
Jean Dubuffet: Brutal Beauty
A major exhibition of the French modernist who invented art brut.
May 18-Aug 22, barbican.org.uk
Thomas Becket: Murder and the Making of a Saint
To mark the 850th anniversary of Archbishop Becket’s murder, an exhibition about his life and legacy.
From May 17, britishmuseum.org
Zanele Muholi/Yayoi Kusama
A retrospective that includes the South African artist’s photos, and a blockbuster exhibition of work from queen of the dots Kusama.
Dates tbc, tate.org
Eileen Agar: Angel of Anarchy
A retrospective of paintings, collages and sculptures from the British artist.
May 19-Aug 29, whitechapelgallery.org
Conversations with God: Jan Matejko’s Copernicus
One of Poland’s most loved artworks, which is rarely shown over here.
May 21-Aug 22; nationalgallery.org.uk
Matthew Barney/Igshaan Adams
Sculptures, engravings and a new film from Barney and detailed textiles from South African Adams at The Hayward.
