Top 10 Art Exhibitions in London

Don't miss out on the best London exhibitions! Catch one of these great London exhibitions as chosen by our editorial team. For more London exhibitions see our London Arts Guide

David Hockney: A Bigger Picture

The Royal Academy welcomes in 2012 with an exhibition dedicated to Yorkshire-born painter, draughtsman, photographer, printmaker and stage designer David Hockney. A Bigger Picture focuses on Hockney's landscape work, and features new, specially-commissioned paintings inspired by the Yorkshire landscape. Until 9 Apr

Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman

Grayson Perry acts as both artist and curator for this major British Museum exhibition. A memorial to makers and builders, the show explores themes of craftsmanship and sacred journeys, from shamanism to bespoke motorbikes. At the heart of the display is a new work, The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman. Until 26 Feb

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year

See a stunning collection of images from the natural world as the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition returns to London. A jury of industry experts has hand-picked the best 108 images from almost 41,000 entries, ranging from underwater scenes to urban wildlife. Until 11 Mar

Royal Manuscripts: the Genius of Illumination

Royal Manuscripts is the first major exhibition of the British Library's collection of royal illuminated manuscripts. The display features more than 150 manuscripts collected by English kings and queens over 700 years, from the ninth to 16th centuries, dispelling the myth that these were the Dark Ages. Until 13 Mar

Terence Conran: The Way We Live Now

Discover the impact of acclaimed designer Sir Terence Conran at the Design Museum. The show features Conran's own designs and explores those he admired or commissioned from others. See how Conran's designs influenced domestic life and food through archive material, original designs, art, models and graphics. Until 4 Mar

Dickens and London at the Museum of London

To mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth, Museum of London presents the first major exhibition on the author since 1970. Discover what life was like in 19th-century London and learn about Dickens' difficult childhood experiences, including working in a blacking factory while his father was in a debtor's prison. Until 10 Jun

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton at the V&A

As part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the V&A shows highlights of Cecil Beaton's numerous photographs of the Royal Family. For over 40 years from 1939, Beaton (1904-1980) was a favoured royal photographer, capturing some of the most personal images of Queen Elizabeth II ever seen. 8 Feb-22 Apr

Yayoi Kusama

One of Japan's best-known living artists, Yayoi Kusama's work spans more than six decades. Kusama is known for her immersive artworks and at this Tate Modern exhibition you can wander through a series of rooms covered in hallucinatory polka dots, mirrors and more. 9 Feb-5 Jun

Lucian Freud Portraits

Lucian Freud is known for his realistic portraits of characters ranging from benefits supervisor Sue Tilley to artists and performers, and even The Queen. Now the National Portrait Gallery is displaying more than 100 of Freud's portraits, covering seven decades of work, from the early 1940s until the artist's death in July 2011. 9 Feb-27 May

Picasso and Modern British Art at Tate Britain

The influence of Picasso on British art and artists has rarely been recognised – until now, thanks to Tate Britain's new exhibition. Picasso and Modern British Art explores the Spanish artist's reputation in Britain, and looks at how Picasso's work affected British modernism and inspired British artists. 15 Feb-15 Jul

More London Arts

Major Art Galleries
London's major art galleries are packed with famous masterpieces
Smaller Art Galleries
London's smaller art galleries are full of hidden treasures
Late Museum Openings
Evening events at London's museums and galleries
London Art Fairs
Browse and buy art, antiques and crafts at a London art fair
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