Top 10 London Art Exhibitions To See In February

By Londonist Last edited 110 months ago
Top 10 London Art Exhibitions To See In February

We look ahead to London art openings for February and select 10 must-see exhibitions.

Thea Porter exhibition at Fashion and Textile Museum.

Marlene Dumas @ Tate Modern  (5 February - 10 May)
You may be surprised to know that Marlene Dumas never paints directly from life, even though human life is the focus of her work. She draws her inspiration from personal and public figures, soaking her portraits with both idealism and introspection. £14.50/£12.70, prebook online suggested

Made in China @ Dulwich Picture Gallery (10 February - 26 April)
Dulwich Picture Gallery challenges its audience to spot the copy amongst the originals. For three months, there will be a rogue replica painting hidden amongst the collection, and displayed in the frame of the original. The imposter is revealed on 28 April when original and replica will hang side by side. £5/£4, prebook online suggested

Thea Porter @ Fashion Textile Museum  (6 February - 3 May)
This is the first-ever exhibition dedicated to the fashion and interior design of Thea Porter, who pioneered bohemian chic in the 1960s and 70s. The exhibition explores the influence of Middle Eastern and North African textiles on 20th century fashion. £8.80/£6.60, prebook online suggested

History Is Now @ Hayward Gallery  (10 February - 26 April)
In the run-up to 2015 general election, seven contemporary artists take on Britain's recent history. Through different media and expressions, they offer viewers a new way of thinking about the nation's past, and how we got to where we are today. £10.90, prebook online suggested

Sargent: Portraits of Artists and Friends @ National Portrait Gallery (12 February - 25 May)
This major retrospective focuses on the life and work of American painter John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), considered the leading artist of his generation. Sargent was closely connected to many influential artists and musicians of his time: his portraits include Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin and Robert Louis Stevenson. £14.50/£13, prebook online suggested

Magnificent Obsessions is on at Barbican. Photo © Felix Krebs

Magnificent Obsessions @ Barbican Art Gallery (12 February - 25 May)
This exhibition focuses on postwar and contemporary artists as collectors. Exhibits range from mass-produced objects to rare artefacts and are compared with  the artists' work, highlighting the connection between them. Artists exposed include Peter Blake, Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol. £12/£10, prebook online suggested

Staying Power @ V&A (16 February - 24 May)
This photographic display pictures 'Black British Experience' during 1950s and 60s. The new project aims to increase the number of black British photographers and images of black Britain in the museum collection, celebrating their contribution to the history of Britain.

Salt and Silver (25 February - 7 June) + Sculpture Victorious (25 February - 25 May) @ Tate Britain
The gallery launches two new exhibitions on the same day. Salt and Silver is about salted paper prints, one of the first photography techniques, while Sculpture Victorious celebrates some of the most astonishing sculptures produced during the Victorian era. Both are £10.90/£9.50, prebook online suggested

Forensics @ Wellcome Collection (26 February - 21 June)
Discover the history, science and techniques of forensic medicine. Delve into the connection between law and medicine that characterises this discipline. Want more? Wellcome Collection is also hosting The Institute of Sexology until 20 September. Both exhibitions are free

Goya @ Courtauld Gallery (26 February - 25 May)
This major exhibition reunites all the surviving drawings from Goya's Witches and Old Women Album for the first time. Produced during the last decade of his life, the drawings give you an intimate insight of the artist's life, showing his constant attention to human nature. £8.50, prebook online suggested

Find more about what's on in London, visit Londonist's Museum & Galleries and Art & Photography pages.

Last Updated 29 January 2015