Top 10 Art Exhibitions To See In April 2016

By Londonist Last edited 105 months ago

Last Updated 31 March 2016

Top 10 Art Exhibitions To See In April 2016

Every month, we look ahead to major London openings and select the 10 must-see art exhibitions. Here are our picks for April — another busy month.

See early Giorgione paintings in an unusual venue in Clapton

Giorgione in Clapton @ The Tram Depot (31 March-21 May)
Connected to the major exhibition currently on at the Royal Academy, this one focuses on the early work of Giorgione and his extraordinary importance in shaping the Venetian Renaissance. See a series of  'lost' early paintings that went missing for hundreds of years. This must-see exhibition is open from Tue-Sat only. Free admission

Conceptual Art in Britain @ Tate Britain (12 April-29 August)
In the 1960s artists began to abandon traditional approaches, putting the concept at the centre of their artworks and questioning the social purpose behind them. This exhibition displays key conceptual artists and explores the impact of the movement on contemporary tendencies. £10.90/£9.50, booking online suggested

Fox Talbot: Dawn of the Photograph @ Science Museum Media Space (14 April-11 September)
The inventor of the negative-positive process which formed the basis of modern photography, William Henry Fox Talbot was a pioneer of the medium. This exhibition tells how photography was born and how Talbot's genius sparked an artistic revolution. £8/£6, booking online suggested

This Is A Voice @ Wellcome Collection (14 April-31 July)
Ever wondered about the psychological and physiological origins of human voice? This unusual exhibition focuses on the emotions that resonate in the voice through rhythm, pitch and tone, as well as non-verbal forms of communication. On display is a series of works by artists and vocalists as well as medical illustrations and ethnographic objects. Free admission

Deutsche Börse Prize @ The Photographers' Gallery (15 April-3 July)
The shortlisted artists for this year's prize are: Laura El-Tantawy, Erik Kessels, Trevor Paglen and Tobias Zielony. Themes include civil rights, personal loss, mass surveillance and illegal immigration. Free admission before noon daily, £3-£2 afterwards

Sony World Photo Awards is on at Somerset House

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear @ V&A Museum (16 April-12 March 2017)
What role did underwear play in fashion throughout the centuries? And how did it evolve? These and more questions will be answered in this sexy exhibition — on display, over 200 objects covering everything from corsets to Lycra pants. £12/concessions available, booking online suggested

Sicily: Conquest and Culture @ British Museum (21 April-14 August)
For over 4,000 years, Sicily's identity has been shaped by different cultures: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans all settled or invaded the island, lured by its fertile lands and strategic location. Discover how these historical invasions shaped its cultural identity and landscape. £10, booking online suggested

Sony World Photo Awards @ Somerset House (22 April-8 May)
Being the world's largest photography competition, we are sure you won't feel underwhelmed. The 500 photographers on display range from fine art to photojournalism to lifestyle and are the best in the contemporary art scene. £8.50/£6.50, booking online suggested

Pablo Bronstein @ Tate Britain (26 April-9 October)
Known for his interest in pre-20th century European design and architecture, artist Pablo Bronstein will create a site-specific work in response to the imposing Duveen galleries which sit at the heart of Tate Britain. The work will consist of dancers moving through the baroque space and interacting with architectural elements. Free admission

Georg Baselitz: Wir Fahren Aus @ White Cube (27 April-3 July)
German postmodern painter George Baselitz presents a major exhibition in Bermondsey, including new large-scale paintings, sculpture and works on paper. This exhibition draws together two familiar strands within the artist's practice: portraiture and the process of 'remixing', whereby images are repeated and reinterpreted over time using different techniques and mediums. Free admission

Display figure and advertising card for Y-front pants, 1950s. © Victoria and Albert Museum

Also try...

Christie's Lates @ South Kensington (5 Apr, 6pm-8.30pm)
On the first Tuesday of each month, London's famous auction house open its doors late. This time the late is all about creating and collecting art — there will be life drawing, expert talks and a pop-up exhibition, so make sure you put the date in your diary. Free admission

The Other Art Fair @ Victoria House (7-10 April)
Packed with great contemporary artworks, talented artists available on site and plenty of exciting events, this is the art fair to visit this month. You can get half price tickets throughout the whole weekend by quoting the code LONDONIST when booking. Standard tickets are £8.80/£6.60, booking online suggested

Pick Me Up @ Somerset House (21 April-2 May)
The festival dedicated to graphic art is back at Somerset House for its seventh year, bringing plenty of creativity and inspiration to the city. The programme features daily talks, workshops, games and demonstrations which are included in your entry ticket. £10/£8, booking online suggested

Chelsea Art Fair @ Old Chelsea Town Hall (21-24 April)
Bringing together 30 leading UK and international galleries to Chelsea Old Town Hall, this is a little gem in the London's art fairs panorama which art lovers should try. £6, buy tickets on the door

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