Benton End: A Paradise of Pollen and Paint Garden Museum, London, 2 June to 20 September 2026
This exhibition revisits Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines’s Suffolk home, a creative hub merging painting, gardening, teaching, and lively discussion. Explore connections to Lucian Freud, Maggi Hambling, Beth Chatto, Elizabeth David, Benjamin Britten, and Peter Pears. A newly authenticated early Lucian Freud portrait, Man in a Black Scarf, debuts alongside the show.
Benton End: A Paradise of Pollen and Paint
Garden Museum official exhibition page:
https://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/benton-end-a-paradise-of-pollen-and-paint/
Garden Museum Benton End project page:
https://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/benton-end/
The Guardian, Lucian Freud Man in a Black Scarf authentication story:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/jun/01/early-portrait-denied-lucian-freud-man-in-black-scarf-authentication
The Art Newspaper, Benton End exhibition article:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/06/01/show-celebrates-creative-legacy-of-the-art-school-in-benton-endwhich-counted-lucian-freud-among-its-students
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait National Portrait Gallery, London 4 June to 6 September 2026
Celebrating Monroe’s centenary, this exhibition explores her life and legacy through portraits by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Richard Avedon, and others. Key themes include glamour, performance, and the shaping of her public identity.
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
National Portrait Gallery official exhibition page:
https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/marilyn-monroe-a-portrait
National Portrait Gallery press release:
https://www.npg.org.uk/about/press/national-portrait-gallery-marks-marilyn-monroes-centenary-with-landmark-exhibition
The Guardian, Monroe’s final photoshoot article:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/01/marilyn-monroe-nude-final-photoshoot-lawrence-schiller-blond-bombshell
M.C. Escher: The Exhibition Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, London 5 June to 6 September 2026
A retrospective of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, featuring his iconic works in impossible architecture, tessellations, and visual puzzles.
M.C. Escher: The Exhibition
Somerset House official exhibition page:
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/mc-escher-the-exhibition
Official Escher exhibition ticket/info page:
https://london-mc.escher-expo.com/
Fever ticket page:
https://feverup.com/m/637982
The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial Saatchi Gallery, London, 5 June to 8 September 2026
Spanning two floors and nine spaces, this exhibition examines how the sun and moon shape global creativity and symbolism. Artworks and installations respond to celestial themes across cultures.
The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial
Saatchi Gallery official exhibition page:
https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/the-sun-and-the-moon-art-inspired-by-the-celestial
Saatchi Gallery ticket/product page:
https://www.saatchigallery.com/product/sun-and-moon
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, Clerkenwell, London, Opens 5 June 2026
The UK’s only permanent centre for illustration opens in a converted Clerkenwell waterworks. The space includes galleries, a café, a shop, a library, studio spaces, and gardens. Three exhibitions inaugurate the launch.
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
Quentin Blake Centre official website:
https://qbcentre.org.uk/
Quentin Blake Centre opening page / future home page:
https://qbcentre.org.uk/coming-soon
Association of Illustrators opening notice:
https://theaoi.com/news/qbci-confirms-opening-date
London Gallery Weekend 2026 Across London 5 to 7 June 2026
Over 120 contemporary galleries participate in London Gallery Weekend. Highlights include exhibitions, curated routes, artist walkthroughs, performances, and receptions. Featured shows include Caragh Thuring at Thomas Dane, Mehmet Ali Uysal: SKIN at Pi Artworks, Ree Morton: Signs and Gestures at Richard Saltoun Gallery, and Christo: Air at Gagosian. Public hours: Fri–Sat 11 am–6 pm, Sun 12 pm–5 pm.
London Gallery Weekend 2026
London Gallery Weekend official website:
https://londongalleryweekend.art/
London Gallery Weekend official about page:
https://londongalleryweekend.art/about/
Artsy, 10 must-see shows during London Gallery Weekend 2026:
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-must-see-london-gallery-weekend-2026
Serpentine Pavilion 2026 Serpentine South, Kensington Gardens, London 6 June to 25 October 2026
LANZA atelier designs the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion, opening 6 June and free to enter.
Serpentine Pavilion 2026
Serpentine official Pavilion 2026 page:
https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/serpentine-pavilion-2026-by-isabel-abascal-and-alessandro-arienzo-lanza-atelier/
Serpentine press release announcing LANZA atelier:
https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/about/press/lanza-atelier-founded-by-isabel-abascal-and-alessandro-arienzo-selected-for-the-serpentine-pavilion-2026/
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