ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Artlyst Guide: Ten Major UK Exhibitions for Spring 2026

exhibition · 2026-04-24

Artlyst has published a guide to ten major exhibitions opening across the UK outside London in spring 2026. Highlights include a once-in-a-generation Gwen John retrospective at National Museum Cardiff (7 Feb–28 Jun) celebrating her 150th birthday; a photographic tribute to UK comedians by Andy Hollingworth at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (18 Feb–31 May); a career-spanning Frank Bowling survey at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (27 Mar 2026–17 Jan 2027); a Vivienne Westwood fashion retrospective at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle (28 Mar–6 Sep); a Walter Sickert works-on-paper show at Charleston Lewes (2 May–11 Oct); Paula Rego's literary-inspired prints at Newlands House Gallery (22 May–6 Sep); Norman Ackroyd's etchings at Victoria Art Gallery Bath (22 May–6 Sep); a Joan Eardley contextual exhibition at National Galleries of Scotland Modern Two (2 Apr–28 Jun); and two Constable 250 exhibitions in Suffolk: 'Gainsborough, Turner and Constable' at Gainsborough's House, Sudbury (25 Apr–11 Oct) and 'Constable: A Cast of Characters' at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich (28 Mar–14 Jun). The guide provides dates, venues, and ticket prices for each show.

Key facts

  • Gwen John: Strange Beauties at National Museum Cardiff runs 7 Feb–28 Jun 2026.
  • Andy Hollingworth's comedy photography exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery runs 18 Feb–31 May 2026.
  • Frank Bowling: Seeking the Sublime at The Fitzwilliam Museum runs 27 Mar 2026–17 Jan 2027.
  • Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary at Bowes Museum runs 28 Mar–6 Sep 2026.
  • Walter Sickert: Working Notes at Charleston Lewes runs 2 May–11 Oct 2026.
  • Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature at Newlands House Gallery runs 22 May–6 Sep 2026.
  • Norman Ackroyd: The Transience of Light at Victoria Art Gallery Bath runs 22 May–6 Sep 2026.
  • Joan Eardley | The Nature of Painting at National Galleries of Scotland Modern Two runs 2 Apr–28 Jun 2026.
  • Constable 250 includes two exhibitions: Gainsborough, Turner and Constable at Gainsborough's House (25 Apr–11 Oct) and Constable: A Cast of Characters at Christchurch Mansion (28 Mar–14 Jun).
  • 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Cardiff
  • Wales
  • Birmingham
  • England
  • Cambridge
  • Barnard Castle
  • County Durham
  • Lewes
  • Bath
  • Edinburgh
  • Scotland
  • Sudbury
  • Suffolk
  • Ipswich
  • United Kingdom

Sources