U: Must Visit 2019 Exhibitions

Discover the major blockbuster art exhibitions U need to head to in 2019.

Van Gogh & Britain at Tate Britain

This major exhibition brings together 45 works by Vincent van Gogh to reveal how he was inspired by Britain and how he inspired British artists Van Gogh and Britain presents the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings in the UK for nearly a decade. Some of his most famous works will be brought together from around the world. Get an understanding of his early years in England as a young man and learn more about how he was inspired by British culture, in turn, how British artists were influenced by him, with works from Francis Bacon and David Bomberg also featured. It shows how his vision set British artists on the road to modern art. 27 March - 11 August. 

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the V&A

Spanning 1947 to the present day, this exhibition traces the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers, exploring the enduring influence of the fashion house, and Dior’s relationship with Britain. This is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in the UK on the house of Dior. Spanning to the present day, Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams traces the history and impact of the couturier, and the six artistic directors who have succeeded him at his namesake brand, in what will be the museum’s biggest fashion exhibition since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015. Dresses on display include Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday dress to Jennifer Lawrence’s red-carpet couture. 2 February - 14 July. 

Chihuly at Kew: Reflections on Nature at Kew Gardens

The world's most celebrated contemporary glass artist is back, showcasing his work against the stunning backdrop of Kew Gardens. Iconic artist Dale Chihuly once again exhibits his luminous glass artworks in Kew's spectacular landscape, featuring pieces never seen before in the UK. Unique art installations will be situated across the grounds, including the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. You can experience his Drawings and Rotolo series- the most technically challenging work Chihuly has ever created- and Seaforms, undulating forms that conjure underwater life. Through an exclusive night-time experience, you can see these installations illuminated by an entirely different light on a route taking in some of Kew's most stunning settings. 13 April - 27 October.

Henry Moore: The Helmet Heads at The Wallace Collection

The first major exhibition to explore the great twentieth-century British sculptor’s fascination with armour. Presented in collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation, the exhibition uncovers the previously unknown role of specific helmets and armour from the Wallace Collection in influencing Moore’s ideas and creations. This is the first time that Moore’s helmet-related works, comprising over sixty sketches, drawings, maquettes and full-sized sculptures in plaster, lead and bronze, have been comprehensively assembled, to be juxtaposed with the Renaissance armour that inspired them. 6 March - 23 June.

Bill Viola & Michelangelo: Life Death Rebirth at Royal Academy of Arts

This exhibition explores the affinities between video artist Bill Viola and Michelangelo, and is conceived as an immersive journey through the cycle of life. You’ll see a selection of Michelangelo’s most poignant works, including those from Windsor such as his drawings of the Crucifixion, as well as Michelangelo’s only marble sculpture in the UK, the Virgin and Child with the Infant St John (the ‘Taddei Tondo’). From Viola, the exhibition features 12 major installations spanning his entire career, including the extraordinary Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain Under a Waterfall), a five-metre-high projection depicting the ascent of the soul after death. 26 January - 31 March. 


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