Art exhibitions to watch out for at the Hayward Gallery in 2025

The Hayward Gallery has an exciting programme lined up for 2025, featuring bold and thought-provoking exhibitions. From pioneering feminist artists to acclaimed Japanese contemporary masters, it’s set to be a memorable year for modern and contemporary art lovers. Here’s what’s coming up:

Linder Sterling and Mickalene Thomas

Kicking off the year are two must-see exhibitions by feminist trailblazers, Linder Sterling and Mickalene Thomas, offering a rare opportunity to explore their groundbreaking work with a single ticket.

Linder, Principle of Totality (Version I), 2012, d…ko, Stockholm, Paris and dépendance, Brussels.

Linder: Danger Came Smiling

The Hayward Gallery will present the first major London retrospective of British artist Linder. Renowned for her cutting-edge photomontages and feminist artistic approach, this exhibition highlights her innovative career spanning five decades. Linder: Danger Came Smiling showcases her provocative exploration of gender, identity, and cultural critique, making it a significant milestone in contemporary art.

Date: 11 February – 5 May 2025. Price: from £19. Concessions available. Book now. 

Mickalene Thomas, “Mama Bush: (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” (2009), Rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel on wood panel, 82 x 72 in (208.3 x 182.9 cm) © Mickalene Thomas.

Mickalene Thomas: All About Love

American artist Mickalene Thomas makes her UK public art gallery debut with All About Love, an expansive showcase of her boundary-pushing work. Thomas is celebrated for her vibrant portraits of Black women, featuring bold patterns and dazzling embellishments like rhinestones. From paintings and collages to photography and immersive installations, this exhibition offers a multifaceted view of her creativity. Fans of Thomas’s collaborations in music and fashion—like Solange’s album cover or Dior’s runway designs—will find plenty to admire.

Date: 11 February – 5 May 2025. Price: from £19. Concessions available. Book now.

Yoshitomo Nara, Midnight Tears, 2023. © Yoshitomo Nara, courtesy Yoshitomo Nara Foundation.

Yoshitomo Nara

Summer brings the first UK solo exhibition of celebrated Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara at a public institution. Known for his emotionally resonant depictions of wide-eyed characters, this retrospective spans four decades of Nara’s career. From his formative years in Japan and Germany to his engagement with societal and environmental issues, the exhibition captures the depth of his artistic journey. Nara’s work also reflects his musical influences, adding a unique layer to this comprehensive display.

Date: 10 June - 31 August 2025. Price: from £19. Concessions available. Book now.

Gilbert & George, FRIGIDARIUM, 2008. 150 x 237 13_…e. Courtesy of Gilbert & George and White Cube.

Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES

The year concludes with a monumental exhibition by Gilbert & George, timed perfectly for Frieze Week. The exhibition will mark the iconic duo’s third appearance at the Hayward Gallery. 21ST CENTURY PICTURES will be their largest show at the venue to date, focusing on new works from the millennium. Exploring themes of hope, fear, sex, and religion, the exhibition offers a deep dive into their evolving artistic vision and unflinching portrayal of modern society. It will also feature pieces never before seen in the UK.

Date: 7 October 2025 - 4 January 2026. Price: TBC. Book now.