Culture Vulture: Must-see Autumn Exhibitions

There’s a bumper bunch of exhibitions coming this autumn. Margaret Hussey selects five to have on your radar.

Seoul searching 

If like us, you know your Parasite from your BTS, then you will be very excited about the major new exhibition on Korean culture coming to London’s V&A. Hallyu! The Korean Wave will look at everything from K-Pop to K-drama, the success of Korean cinema to its growing fashion influence. There will be an immersive recreation of the bathroom set from the Oscar-winning Parasite as well as props from Squid Game and outfits worn by Gangnam Style’s PSY.  It will also look at how South Korea emerged as a tech giant after the Korean War. 

Hallyu! The Korean Wave runs at the V&A from September 24th to June 2023. Tickets are on sale now at vam.ac.uk/kwave 

Just William 

Coming to the Royal Academy this month, William Kentridge is a chance to catch up with the works of the internationally renowned South African artist. It brings together important works from the 1980s to the present day, including charcoal drawings, animated films, sculptures, tapestries and performance pieces. Kentridge is known for his collaborations, working closely with composers, dancers, puppeteers, weavers and metalsmiths. Among other topics, his work shines a light on the lasting effects of the post-colonial legacy across the African continent. 

William Kentridge runs at the Royal Academy from September 24th to December 11th, royalacademy.org.uk

Freudian trip

One of the most influential artists of our time, Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at The National Gallery will bring together a large selection of his most important works across seven decades. Marking 100 years since his birth, it will include early works such as Girl with a Kitten from the 1940s to Reflection with Two Children (Self-Portrait) in the 1960s. It also features Her Majesty The Queen, donated by The Royal Collection. Freud travelled to St James’s Palace for sittings with Queen Elizabeth II in 2000/1, making the exception to his usual practice of having a studio appointment. 

Lucian Freud: New Perspectives runs from 1st October to 22nd January 2023 at The National Gallery. For more visit nationalgallery.org.uk

Homer run

Currently running at the National Gallery, Winslow Homer: Force of Nature is the first in-depth exhibition of the American painter’s work in the UK. A household name in the States, and greatly admired among his peers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the exhibition will display around 50 paintings and watercolours from public and private collections. It’s co-organised with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and covers the complex social and geopolitical issues of his 40 year career, including war, race, class and power.

Winslow Homer: Force of Nature runs at the National Gallery until January 8th 2023

French polish

Another big hitter in October is The EY Exhibition: Cezanne at Tate Modern. Leaving Aix-en-Provence for Paris in his 20s, Cezanne’s aim was to change the rules of art. And he certainly did that. His still lifes, landscapes and paintings of bathers tore up the rule book and inspired a host of artists that followed. The exhibition will feature many works shown for the first time in the UK.

The EY Exhibition: Cezanne is at Tate Modern from October 5th to 12th March 2023. For more visit tate.org.uk