April 28, 2026Staying Connected to London’s Art Scene
As spring unfolds across London, here at Artichoke, we’ve been reflecting on what keeps us connected to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape and why making time for art matters, even in a busy working week.
Recently, Artichoke’s Communications team stepped away from their desks and went gallery hopping through the streets of London, from Southbank to the centre, on the hunt for free art exhibitions.
Stop One – Our Freedom: Then and Now, Southbank
Our Freedom Then and Now, Southbank Centre, London. Photo by Arlowe Fox
We began at the Southbank Centre, London’s biggest arts centre and a vibrant cultural hub.
Situated next to the Hayward Gallery’s iconic yellow stairs, we discovered Our Freedom: Then and Now on the Riverside Terrace, a powerful outdoor photography exhibition marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
This exhibition featured images from 22 photographers across 60 community led projects in the UK.
Free, accessible and set against one of London’s most iconic riverside views, this exhibition explores what people of all ages and backgrounds think about identity, memory and shared histories.
Stop Two – Bharti Kher: Target Queen, Southbank
Bharti Kher, Target Queen. Hayward Gallery, London. Photo by Arlowe Fox
Just moments away, the exterior of the Hayward Gallery commanded attention with Bharti Kher: Target Queen.
With the iconic London Eye and Big Ben in the background, this large-scale public artwork transformed the gallery’s brutalist façade with three-metre-wide target motifs inspired by the bindi, a cultural and spiritual symbol associated with the third eye worn by the women of South Asia. Kher reimagines the bindi as a powerful feminine emblem, blending spirituality with striking contemporary design.
Visible from Waterloo Bridge and Belvedere Road, this is one of the most eye-catching free art installations in London right now and a powerful reimagining of a South Asian cultural symbol.
Stop Three – Wherever You Go, There You Are, Bankside Gallery
Bankside Gallery, London. Photo by Arlowe Fox
Continuing along the river took us to Bankside Gallery, where we managed to catch the end of the Royal Watercolour Society’s (RWS) annual Spring exhibition, Wherever You Go, There You Are. Through watercolour, RWS members explore mood, presence and acceptance in the creative process.
The annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers is also held at the RWS and begins later this April. We’re looking forward to seeing how printmakers push the boundaries of traditional techniques – this spirit of experimentation in different artforms keeps us curious and inspired.
Stop Four – Metafictions of Post-Post-Postmodern, Hypha Studios
Hypha Studios at No. 1 Poultry, London. Photo by Arlowe Fox
Heading east into the city, we arrived at No. 1 Poultry, one of London’s most distinctive postmodern buildings.
Inside, Hypha Studios presented Metafictions of Post-Post-Postmodern, curated by Christie’s Award winner Louis Pohl Koseda; this exhibition showcased over 20 emerging London based artists exploring themes of postmodernism, identity, and the return to figurative art.
Highlights included Cate Hueston’s haunting charcoal portraits examining wealth and power, alongside Sebastian Koseda’s immersive installation If You Are Not Paying For The Product, You Are The Product, a sharp reflection on digital culture and the attention economy. A must-see for those interested in contemporary art in London, this gallery offers incredible art from emerging artists in an architecturally iconic setting.
Stop Five: Jock McFadyen & Jem Finer’s Love Letter to the London Underground, Guildhall Art Gallery
We ended our afternoon at Guildhall Art Gallery, a hidden gem in the City of London and ideal for a quieter, more contemplative cultural experience.
Pink Flats, Jock McFadyen at Guildhall Art Gallery, London. Photo by Michaela Alagbala
The exhibition, Jock McFadyen & Jem Finer’s Underground (and Surface), combines large scale paintings with an atmospheric sound installation. McFadyen revisits his London Underground series, capturing Tube stations in a way that feels both familiar and surreal. Jem Finer’s accompanying soundscape, built from recordings on the Northern and Central lines, adds a rich sensory layer to the experience.
Watch the video here to see the highlights.
Why Seeing Art is Important
Taking time to explore London’s art scene keeps us engaged, inspired, and connected to the cultural conversations shaping our city. Whether it’s through exploring outdoor installations, discovering emerging artists, or visiting established institutions, these experiences deepen our understanding of the work we support and the communities we serve.
Exploring art in London has become a regular practice for us as it offers a chance to step outside the everyday, discover new perspectives, and remember why we’re passionate about the arts in the first place.
Four exhibitions, two iconic London neighbourhoods, and no bank card required – did you know that London offered such a vibrant and accessible creative scene?