Barbican announces retrospective of Noah Davis and new exhibition by Citra Sasmita
Noah Davis retrospective and Citra Sasmita's UK debut highlight Barbican's 2025 programme.
Noah Davis at work, Los Angeles, 2009 Photo: Patrick O’Brien-Smith.
The Barbican Art Gallery will host the largest institutional survey to date of the late American artist Noah Davis from 6 February - 11 May 2025. Spanning over 50 works, this exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Davis' remarkable career, showcasing his prowess in painting and his contributions to curating and community-building through co-founding The Underground Museum. Davis, primarily based in Los Angeles, depicted diverse aspects of Black life, drawing inspiration from various sources including anonymous photography, literature, and personal archives. His figurative paintings capture scenes both realistic and dreamlike, reflecting a deep empathy for humanity and everyday experiences. The retrospective, organised chronologically, offers insight into Davis' relentless curiosity and his profound impact on art and community engagement.
Noah Davis, Pueblo del Rio: Arabesque, 2014 © The Estate of Noah Davis
Courtesy The Estate of Noah Davis and David Zwirner.
Indonesian artist Citra Sasmita will debut her first solo exhibition in the UK at The Curve from 30 January- 20 April 2025. Sasmita's multidisciplinary practice, encompassing painting, sculpture, embroidery, and scent, invites visitors on a symbolic, multi-sensory journey through the 90-metre-long gallery. Through her exploration of ancestral memory, ritual, and migration, Sasmita challenges gender hierarchies and reinterprets Balinese mythologies, reclaiming the traditional Kamasan painting technique. Her powerful narratives feature strong female protagonists in a post-patriarchal world, confronting misconceptions of Balinese culture and its colonial history. Sasmita's exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of identity and cultural resilience.
Installation view of Citra Sasmita, Timur Merah Project XII: Rivers With No End, as part of After Rain, Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, 2024 Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation Photo: Marco Cappelletti.
With these two groundbreaking exhibitions, the Barbican continues its commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and providing enriching experiences for audiences.
London has, for as long as anyone can remember, been a place defined by its movement, its culture, and its re-inventive spirit…
Discover a guide to some of the art exhibitions to see in London in February 2026, including the much-anticipated Tracey Emin and Rose Wylie exhibitions at Tate and the Royal Academy of Arts respectively; works by artists Aki Sasamoto and Stina Fors at Studio Voltaire; the third edition of the Barbican’s Encounters series with Lynda Benglis; an Isaac Julien world premiere at Victoria Miro…
Most online marketplaces launch with momentum. Supply and demand are matched, early traction looks promising, and revenue starts flowing…
Serpentine has announced that Mexican architecture studio LANZA atelier, founded by Isabel Abascal and Alessandro Arienzo, has been selected to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2026. Sponsored by Goldman Sachs, the Pavilion will open to the public at Serpentine South…
Tate Britain will stage Europe’s largest retrospective of James McNeill Whistler in more than three decades, bringing together around 150 works that span painting, drawing, printmaking, and design…
This week in London includes the London Short Film Festival, Winter Lights at Canary Wharf and London Art Fair, plus new exhibitions by Georg Baselitz, Mario Merz and Umi Ishihara. Also on are performances at the Southbank Centre, Burns Night celebrations, last chances to see Dirty Looks at the Barbican, and the opening of Claridge’s Bakery…
Brixton House launches its 2026 season with an ambitious programme that continues its commitment to championing underrepresented voices, global perspectives and deep community connection. Following the sold-out success of Black Power Desk, Limp Wrist & The Iron Fist…
Find your perfect Greek island match with this guide for every type of traveller. Discover where to go for romance, nightlife, nature, food, and easy adventures…
Discover a guide to some of the artist talks, as well as curator- and architecture-led discussions, to be on your radar in London in early 2026…
London can feel loud, fast, and mentally crowded, especially during deadlines. When your brain is stuck in “always on” mode, a green space can act like a reset button. A short walk outdoors often lowers tension, improves focus, and makes studying feel less overwhelming…
Just off Bermondsey Street, a short stroll away from London Bridge, is Morocco Bound Bookshop. Independent bookshop by day, lively venue by night this place is one of London’s hidden gems…
Fly-tipping is a year-round problem in London, but winter consistently sees a noticeable increase in illegal dumping. Darker evenings, reduced visibility, and post-renovation waste all contribute to the issue…
Winter in London often brings a mix of shorter days, colder weather, and a strong urge to reorganise living spaces. Many households take this time to replace old furniture, upgrade appliances, or finally get rid of bulky items that have been taking up space for months…
This week in London, not-to-miss events include the T.S. Eliot Prize Shortlist Readings, the final performances of David Eldridge’s End, the return of Condo London, new exhibitions, classical concerts, a film release, creative workshops, wellness sessions, and a standout food opening in Covent Garden with Dim Sum Library…
Bistro Sablé looks as French as it tastes. The 65-seater lateral restaurant is spread across two areas wrapping around the central bar…
London’s dining scene shows no sign of slowing down. From candle-lit neighbourhood bistros and ambitious seafood-led openings to elevated dim sum and much-anticipated bakery launches, the capital is laying the groundwork for some truly excellent feasting in 2026…
Camden Art Centre will present a strong programme of contemporary art across 2026 and 2027, bringing together both emerging and established artists…
London’s plant-based dining scene is more exciting, diverse and delicious than ever. From Michelin-starred tasting menus where vegetables take centre stage, to relaxed neighbourhood favourites and casual spots…
From bold new works by leading choreographers to iconic operas reimagined for modern audiences, The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera continue to define London’s cultural scene. With tickets starting at just £9, here is your guide to the unmissable performances of 2026…
Plant-based cooking gets the Le Cordon Bleu treatment in a new series of London short courses…
January is your final opportunity to catch some of London’s most exciting and talked-about exhibitions of 2025. Spanning fashion, photography, contemporary sculpture and multimedia, a diverse range of shows are drawing to a close across the city…
From explorations of queer life, diasporic memory, and American urban history to inventive contemporary approaches, this guide provides an overview of the most anticipated photography exhibitions in London this year…
As the new year begins, London’s cultural calendar quickly gathers momentum, offering a packed programme of exhibitions, festivals, performances and seasonal experiences throughout January. Here is our guide to things you can do in London in January 2026…
This January, discover London’s most exciting art exhibitions, from emerging talents and debut solo shows to major museum highlights…
The UK app development sector attracts startups, scale-ups, and enterprises looking for dependable technical partners. Demand comes from fintech, health, education, logistics, retail, and SaaS, all of which require stable, secure, and well-designed mobile products…
Condo London returns in January 2026 as a city‑wide, collaborative art programme unfolding across 50 galleries in 23 venues throughout the capital, from West London and Soho to South and East London. This initiative rethinks how contemporary art is shown and shared, inviting London galleries to host international…
An analysis of T20 cricket formats and their role in creating diverse betting markets while attracting new audiences to cricket wagering worldwide…
Seeds of Hate and Hope at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, is a powerful exhibition examining how violence, ideology and trauma are created, spread and remembered…
Balancing work and personal life in today's fast-paced world can feel like a daunting task. We often find ourselves overwhelmed by job demands,…
There are few cities in the world where art feels as alive as it does in London…
