With over 200 museums and countless commercial and independent galleries to choose from, making the most of the Big Smoke's cultural offering requires equal amounts of discerning, open-mindedness, and dedication. That's understandable: even as a culture editor, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the ever-expanding density of its year-round artistic program, and often end up missing out on many great exhibitions in London as a result. To ensure the number of creative showcases on view in the city doesn't push you away, but, rather, brings you closer to the pioneering workshop of innovation that is its community, every season I am narrowing down all local happenings to the 12 best exhibitions in London across art, architecture, public installations, and design.
How do I pick the best cultural events in the British capital? In short, with an eye toward meaning. In a historical moment where multiple global challenges seem to converge, from climate change and migration to the resurgence of conflicts, I want my curation of the best exhibitions in London to hold a mirror up to the complexity of our times — engaging viewers through both skillfully crafted artworks and complex conversations that can favor new ways of being together, conceiving our time on Earth, and preserving the planet for generations to come.
