Here’s a guide to some of the exhibitions opening in London this month…
Iron, silk, wool, leather, gold and lacquer, Japan,
1519 (helmet) , 1696 (armour) and 1800s (textiles). Purchase made possible by the JTI Japanese
Acquisition Fund. © The Trustees of the British Museum
The British Museum delves deep into the history of the Samurai for its latest exhibition to offer a different perspective. On display from the 3rd February until the 4th May, the show aims to dispel some of the myths and legends that surrounds these iconic figures. it will bring together a huge range of objects to showcase how the samurai transformed from from fearsome fighters to administrators and artists.
Seurat & The Sea, The Courtauld:
From the 13th February, visitors to The Courtauld Gallery can view the first ever show devoted to the seascapes of the French artist Georges Seurat (1859–1891). It is also the first exhibition devoted to Seurat in the UK in almost 30 years. Throughout the show, it will explore the evolution of his radical and distinctive style through the recurring motif of the sea.
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends:
Delve into the world of Aardman in this family friendly exhibition set to open on the 12th February. Created to coincide with the company’s 50th anniversary, the show will ill be taken behind the scenes of the animation process, from idea development all the way through to model making, filming and production, and post-production through a wide variety of objects. Visitors can enjoy the exhibition until the 15th November until 2026.
Orchard Festival, Kew Gardens:
Returning for another year from the 7th February until the 8th March, this celebration of orchids is inspired by China. This is the 30th anniversary of the festival and takes its inspiration from the China’s remarkable biodiversity, heritage and design traditions, filling the Princess of Wales glasshouse with a dazzling array of orchids and large-scale floral installations.
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting, National Portrait Gallery:
From the 12th February, visitors to the National Portrait Gallery can enjoy an exhibition focusing on the artist’s work on paper, including some works seen on display for the first time. It will explore the artist’s lifelong preoccupation with the human face and figure from the 1930s to the early 21st century, focusing on Freud’s mastery of drawing in all its forms – from pencil, pen, and ink to charcoal and etching.
Water Pantanal Fire, Science Museum:
This free photography exhibition uncovers the fragile beauty of the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, and the threats to its rich wildlife. It showcases the work of leading documentary photographers Lalo de Almeida and Luciano Candisani, captures both the breathtaking beauty of the Pantanal and the devastation it now faces. The display will be available to view from the 6th February until the 31st May.
The Jolly Postman, Postal Museum:
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the book series by Jane and Allan Ahlberg, The Postal Museum’s exhibition will bring the story of The Jolly Postman to life in an immersive display. It will also uncover the story behind the book series through prototypes and early design concepts, seen alongside the everyday stamps, cards and postal uniforms that inspired them. Janet Ahlberg’s sketches will be paired with Allan Ahlberg’s notebooks, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the pair’s creative partnership. It is on display from the 14th February until January 2027.
Tracey Emin: A Second Life, Tate Modern:
On display from the 27th February until the 31st August, this exhibition traces the artist’s 40 years of work with well known pieces in display alongside works never exhibited before. It will highlight her disregard for any separation of the personal and the public, along with her commitment to unapologetic self-expression, came to define a historic moment in British culture and global art history.