Like Music in the Blood: Group Exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac London
From 3 September to 1 October 2026, Thaddaeus Ropac London will host 'Like Music in the Blood' at Ely House, located at 37 Dover Street. This group exhibition showcases the work of eight contemporary artists: Benjamin Orlow, Emil Sands, Galli, Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, Kira Freije, Suleman Aqeel Khilji, Tanoa Sasraku, and Tiona Nekkia McClodden. Their art delves into selfhood, memory, vulnerability, and representation. Khilji's dreamlike paintings set the tone, while Galli's silhouettes and Orlow's monumental figures offer striking visuals. Quinlan and Hastings explore queer identity through fresco, Freije presents life-size installations, Sasraku uses UV light on newspapers, McClodden incorporates kinbaku-bi, and Sands paints partially nude figures. The exhibition concludes on 1 October 2026.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Like Music in the Blood' at Thaddaeus Ropac London, 3 September – 1 October 2026.
- Venue: Ely House, 37 Dover Street, London W1S 4NJ.
- Eight artists: Benjamin Orlow, Emil Sands, Galli, Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, Kira Freije, Suleman Aqeel Khilji, Tanoa Sasraku, Tiona Nekkia McClodden.
- Suleman Aqeel Khilji (b. 1985, Quetta, Pakistan) uses distemper, oil, and pigment in paintings based on memories.
- Galli (b. 1944, Berlin) known for silhouettes and collective body representations.
- Benjamin Orlow's 'Ritual City' (2026) at Nordic Pavilion, Venice Biennale 2026.
- Kira Freije's 'Unspeak the Chorus' shortlisted for 2026 Turner Prize.
- Tanoa Sasraku's ICA London solo show shortlisted for 2026 Turner Prize.
- Tiona Nekkia McClodden featured in 'In Minor Keys' at Venice Biennale 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Benjamin Orlow
- Emil Sands
- Galli
- Hannah Quinlan
- Rosie Hastings
- Kira Freije
- Suleman Aqeel Khilji
- Tanoa Sasraku
- Tiona Nekkia McClodden
- Kofi Ansah
- Koyo Kouoh
- Steven Claydon
- Annabell Burger
Institutions
- Thaddaeus Ropac
- Venice Biennale
- Nordic Pavilion
- Hepworth Wakefield
- Modern Art Oxford
- Institute of Contemporary Art, London
- Turner Prize
- Thaddaeus Ropac London
- The Approach
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Ely House
- 37 Dover Street
- Quetta
- Pakistan
- Balochistan
- Berlin
- Germany
- Turku
- Finland
- Newcastle
- Plymouth
- Blytheville
- AR
- USA