London's Must-See Exhibitions: Illusions, Photography, and Hawaiian History

Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, selects five top exhibitions in London for late May 2026. At Ben Hunter, Christopher Page's 'In vain, your image comes to meet me' features meticulous paintings that mimic mirrors reflecting sunlight, an illusion achieved by spacing works to align with natural light; runs until 27th May. Dirk Braeckman's photographs at Grimm are manipulated in the darkroom through over-exposure, scratching, and chemical alteration, producing ghostly portraits and landscapes; until 30th May. The British Museum presents 'Hawai’i: a kingdom crossing oceans,' exploring two centuries of Hawai’i-UK relations, including a visit by a Hawaiian King and Queen, and featuring artefacts, textiles, and statues of Gods; until 25th May, ticketed. 'Heavy Metal: Anthony Caro & James Capper' at Albion Jeune pairs Capper's claw-like machines with Caro's metal sculptures, a seamless juxtaposition given their prior acquaintance; until 23rd May. At The National Gallery, 'Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse' displays George Stubbs' companion piece to Whistlejacket, 'Scrub,' alongside anatomical drawings that reveal his study of dissections; until 31st May.