Photo London finds a new home in Kensington’s cultural heart
Following the success of its landmark tenth anniversary, Photo London is poised to embark on a transformative new chapter in 2026 by relocating to the historic National Hall at Olympia, Kensington. The move comes as part of Olympia’s £1.3 billion redevelopment, co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC, which is turning the 14-acre site into a vibrant hub for culture and entertainment. Perfectly situated near world-class institutions like the V&A and the Serpentine, and easily accessible from Heathrow Airport, Olympia’s central location offers an ideal new home for the internationally renowned photography fair.
Kerry James Marshall, Untitled, 2009, Acrylic on PVC panel. 155.3 x 185.1 cm. Yale University Art Gallery, Purchased with the Janet and Simeon Braguin Fund and a gift from Jacqueline L. Bradley, B.A. 1979. © Kerry James Marshall
The redevelopment of Olympia reflects an ethos of innovation fused with heritage, echoing Photo London’s mission to honour the past, present, and future of photography. As the new venue begins to open later this year, it promises to become an inspiring setting for the fair’s expanded programme. This includes gallery presentations, public events, and dynamic collaborations, all of which will be enhanced by the flexibility and scale of Olympia’s transformed spaces.
Set entirely beneath the iconic canopy of Olympia’s National Hall, the fair will benefit from upgraded exhibition areas designed to improve visitor experience and gallery presentation. The venue will also provide increased capacity for talks, VIP access, and collector events. Complementing the fair will be a wider cultural offer at Olympia, including a 1,575-seat theatre, a 4,000-capacity music venue, two hotels, and over 30 food and drink outlets, creating a complete destination for art lovers and visitors alike.
Founders Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad describe the move as a natural evolution, positioning Photo London at the forefront of a new cultural movement in the capital. Director Sophie Parker echoed their excitement, highlighting the potential for greater synergy with the arts and creative sectors, and the opportunity to reach wider audiences. Olympia Events CEO Andy O’Sullivan also welcomed the partnership, calling it a milestone in Olympia’s transformation and a perfect match for the venue’s cultural ambitions.
The eleventh edition of Photo London, scheduled for 14–17 May 2026, with a VIP preview on 13 May, promises to be a landmark celebration of photography in its new Kensington home.
Kensington Olympia.Image courtesy of Olympia,
Kerry James Marshall, De Style, 1993,Acrylic and collage on canvas. 264.2 x 309.9 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided by Ruth and Jacob Bloom. © Kerry James Marshall. Photo: © Museum Associates/LACMA
The exhibition’s thematic layout highlights Marshall’s approach to working in series, featuring 11 distinct groups of work spanning from the 1980s to the present. Early highlights include A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self (1980) and Invisible Man (1986), which signal his commitment to exploring Black identity and representation. Later rooms will present works that reinterpret the traditional disciplines taught in institutions like the Royal Academy, including The Academy (2012). The show’s central galleries will showcase some of Marshall’s most iconic and ambitious paintings of everyday Black life, such as School of Beauty, School of Culture (2012) and Knowledge and Wonder (1995), offering human scenes that rival the grandeur of classical history painting.
Kerry James Marshall, Untitled (Porch Deck), 2014, Acrylic on PVC panel. 180.3 x 149.9 cm. Kravis Collection. © Kerry James Marshall. Image courtesy of the artist and David Zwirner, London
The exhibition will conclude with a provocative and newly completed suite of eight paintings exploring African involvement in the transatlantic slave trade—an unflinching examination of difficult historical truths. Visitors will also encounter Wake (2003–ongoing), a continually evolving sculptural work. Kerry James Marshall: The Histories not only affirms the artist’s stature as a master of modern narrative painting but also continues the RA’s tradition of honouring leading figures in contemporary art. Marshall, elected an Honorary Royal Academician in 2022, now joins a prestigious lineage of artists celebrated by the institution, including Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramović, and Anish Kapoor.
Date: 20 September 2025 - 18 January 2026. Location: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD. Price: from £23; concessions available; under 16s go free. Book now
