Ten Major Exhibitions Highlight Black Artistic Expression for Black History Month 2025
For Black History Month 2025, Aesthetica Magazine has selected ten important exhibitions under the theme 'Standing Firm in Power and Pride'. In London, 'Rhythm & Roots' by Jennie Baptiste is on display at Somerset House from 17 October to 4 January, highlighting Black British music and youth culture. Stan Douglas's 'Birth of a Nation' is featured at Victoria Miro until 1 November. The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair takes place at Somerset House from 16 to 19 October. Tate Modern showcases 'Nigerian Modernism' from 8 October to 10 May, presenting over 50 Nigerian artists. Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley's 'The Delusion' is available at Serpentine North Gallery until 18 January. In Washington D.C., Tawny Chatmon's 'Sanctuaries of Truth' runs from 15 October to 8 March, while the National Gallery of Art exhibits 'Photography and the Black Arts Movement' until 11 January. Carnegie Museum of Art features 'Black Photojournalism' until 19 January, and Victor Wedderburn Jr.'s work is displayed by Autograph and the National Media Museum until 29 October. Birmingham's Ikon Gallery presents 'Donald Locke: Resistant Forms' until 22 February.
Key facts
- Black History Month 2025's theme is 'Standing Firm in Power and Pride'.
- Ten exhibitions are highlighted across the UK and USA for Black History Month.
- Jennie Baptiste's first major solo show runs at Somerset House from 17 October to 4 January.
- Stan Douglas's 'Birth of a Nation' video installation premieres in the UK at Victoria Miro until 1 November.
- The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair features over 100 artists from 13 countries at Somerset House from 16 to 19 October.
- Tate Modern's 'Nigerian Modernism' is the first UK exhibition to trace the development of modern art in Nigeria, from 8 October to 10 May.
- The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. showcases 150 prints from the Black Arts Movement until 11 January.
- Victor Wedderburn Jr. documented Caribbean immigrant life in Bradford in the 1980s, with photos on view until 29 October.
Entities
Artists
- Jennie Baptiste
- Stan Douglas
- Tawny Chatmon
- Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley
- Uzo Egonu
- El Anatsui
- Ladi Kwali
- Ben Enwonwu MBE
- J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
- Adger Cowans
- Barbara McCullough
- Barkley Hendricks
- Betye Saar
- Billy Abernathy
- Doris Derby
- Emory Douglas
- James Barnor
- Kwame Brathwaite
- Ming Smith
- Romare Bearden
- Roy DeCarava
- Victor Wedderburn Jr
- Donald Locke
- Hassan Hajjaj
- Malick Sidibé
- Seydou Keita
- D.W. Griffith
- John Gay
- Eleanor Sutherland
Institutions
- Aesthetica Magazine
- Somerset House
- Victoria Miro
- Carnegie Museum of Art
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Serpentine North Gallery
- Tate Modern
- National Gallery of Art
- Autograph
- National Media Museum
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
- Ikon Gallery
- David Zwirner
- Hessel Museum of Art
- Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College
- Galerie Myrtis
- Serpentine Arts Technologies
- Tristan Hoare Gallery
- Spike Island
- Crofts Engineers
- Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund
- The Kwame Brathwaite Archive
- Charina Endowment Fund
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Somerset House, London
- Victoria Miro, London
- Pittsburgh
- United States
- Washington D.C.
- Maryland
- Serpentine North Gallery, London
- Tate Modern, London
- National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
- Bradford
- National Media Museum, Bradford
- Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
- Jamaica
- Lumb Lane, Manningham
- Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
- New York, NY
- Bristol
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Guyana
- Africa
- Caribbean