The Top 10 Exhibitions To See In November

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 89 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

The Top 10 Exhibitions To See In November

Winter is drawing in, so head inside and spend some time in London's art galleries and museums. We've picked some of the best exhibitions that are opening in November, with a mix of blockbusters with smaller exhibitions.

Flaming June painted by Frederic Leighton. © Museo de Arte de Ponce. The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.

Hair by Sam McKnight at Somerset House

Over the last few years Somerset House has really been pushing the boundaries of visual arts with exhibitions about beards, a restaurant and an excellent one about data. Now we have a show all about hair, More specifically, the show focuses on hair styled by master stylist Sam McKnight over the last 40 years.
Somerset House, 2 November - 12 March, £13 full price.

Shoplifting: Lucy Sparrow at Lawrence Alkin

The felt artist behind a fully stocked felt corner shop and a sex shop is back with her latest works. This time Sparrow is creating the items that are shoplifted the most, drawing on her own experience working in a supermarket.
Lawrence Alkin, 3-29 November, free.

Maps and the 20th Century at The British Library

We love a good map — who doesn't? Maps have shaped humanity's journey through the world and even beyond, into our solar system. This exhibition will look at how maps have been used to chart the ocean floor, plan out our transport systems and create fictional worlds.
The British Library, 4 November - 1 March, £12 full price.

Expect models and perfect hair in the Sam McKnight exhibition at Somerset House.

Flaming June at Leighton House Museum

We love Leighton House Museum, and this new exhibition will chart the history of one of Frederic Leighton's most famous paintings, the orange draped 'Flaming June'. Find out how it came about, and capture Leighton's artistic process through a collection of his works.

Leighton House Museum, 4 November - 2 April, £7 adults.

The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography at Tate Modern

Did you know Elton John has quite a collection of Modernist photography? No, neither did we. But it's on its way to be showcased in an exhibition at Tate Modern. Let's hope it's as memorable as his music.
Tate Modern, 10 Nov - 7 May, £15 adults.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at National Portrait Gallery

The exhibition title sums up this annual exhibition very well — it's a competition to find the world's best photographed portrait. Expect celebrities, news stories and fantastic composition among the shortlisted entries on display.
National Portrait Gallery, 17 November - 26 February, £6 adults.

Bloomberg New Contemporaries at ICA

This exhibition picks a selection of new and recent art graduates to put together a show of the ones considered the most promising. This show has had ups and downs over the last five years, reaching a disappointing nadir last year. But that means the only way is up, so we're expecting a much better showing this time around.
ICA, 23 November - 22 January, £1.
Glass tears can be found in this photograph by Man Ray, and will go on display at Tate modern. © Man Ray Trust/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2016

Gavin Turk at Newport Street Gallery

Damien Hirst's gallery seems to be hitting its stride. After the disappointing Hoyland exhibition, Koons was a step up and the gallery has now won the RIBA stirling award. Hirst is now turning his sights on his fellow Young British Artist (YBA) Gavin Turk. Let's see if this show continues the ascendancy.
Newport Street Gallery, 23 November - 19 March, free.

Anselm Kiefer @ White Cube, Bermondsey

We were in awe of Kiefer's fantastic exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2014. Now he returns to London with the cavernous space of the White Cube Bermondsey to play with. We're excited for more large scale works that overpower us.
White Cube, Bermondsey, 23 November - 12 February, free.

Design Museum opening

This is the month when the new Design Museum opens its doors in Kensington. We're excited to see what they've done with the museum and all the extra space it will afford them. The museum will open with a couple of free displays and two exhibitions looking at the cutting edge of design.  

Design Museum, 24 November onwards, entrance is free but ticket prices apply to exhibitions.

Also check out...

World Press Photo at Royal Festival Hall

We've already previewed this exhibition and it looks like we're not going to forget it any time soon — particularly the more harrowing photographs. It should be a powerful show, just make sure you're in the right frame of mind before visiting.

Royal Festival Hall, 4-21 November, free.

Last Updated 31 October 2016