Four London Museum Shows to See During Frieze Week 2026

Frieze Week in London encompasses more than just its fair tents and galleries, featuring four museum exhibitions that provide a more contemplative experience. At The Courtauld, "Someone Like You" by Salman Toor showcases paintings of young queer South Asian men exploring bars, museums, and other spaces, intertwining themes of friendship, desire, and belonging with humor and danger. The Barbican Art Gallery presents "Robert Ryman: The Real Thing," displaying over 60 works that interact with the venue's concrete structure, highlighting the essence of painting. Justin Caguiat's "Change Ringing" at Serpentine South features bells, heat-sensitive artworks, and monumental canvases, while Es Devlin's "Other Worlds" at the Design Museum culminates in the expansive "An Infinite Library." Collectively, these exhibitions provide a rare opportunity to fully engage with art.