33 Exciting Exhibitions to Explore This Winter
Winter is typically a quiet time for museums worldwide. As the cold weather sets in fall exhibitions try to attract visitors while curators prepare for big retrospectives in the spring. But this winter things are looking different.
From a year-long celebration of Caspar David Friedrich the Romantic painter to one of the largest shows ever dedicated to the Chilean-born artist Cecilia Vicuña in Buenos Aires there are plenty of exciting exhibitions to see. Retrospectives of Yoko Ono Emily Kam Kngwarray and more are also in store.
In addition to retrospectives there will be new additions to the art world. The little-known Renaissance master Pesellino will receive a fresh look in London while Estonian sculptor Anu Põder featured in last year's Venice Biennale will have a survey in Switzerland. Don't miss the blockbuster exhibition at the Met highlighting the Harlem Renaissance which aims to shed new light on African-American art history.
Below is a list of 33 must-see museum shows and biennials opening between December and February.
"Prelude – Rayyane Tabet. Trilogy" at Mudam Luxembourg
Rayyane Tabet's latest exhibition the first installment in three series explores hidden histories. Tabet plans to cloak Mudam's pavilion in curtains from his grandparents' Beirut apartment and cover the overhead windows in blue film referencing a practice used during the Six-Day War. He will also showcase jugs from shards collected after the 2020 Beirut blast.
Running from December 1 2023 to May 12 2024.
"David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive" at Art Institute of Chicago
David Goldblatt's powerful photographs bear witness to the horrors of apartheid in South Africa and document the AIDS crisis. This exhibition brings together 140 of his works including images by other South African photographers that shed light on racism segregation and class differences.
On view from December 2 2023 to March 25 2024.
"Karlo Kacharava: Sentimental Traveler" at S.M.A.K. Ghent Belgium
Georgia artist Karlo Kacharava produced thousands of artworks before his untimely death at 30. His paintings inspired by arthouse cinema and post-Soviet youth culture offer a unique perspective. This museum show his first outside of Georgia explores Kacharava's transnational lifestyle and his impact on the art world.
Exhibition dates: December 2 2023 to April 14 2024.
Emily Kam Kngwarray at National Gallery of Australia Canberra
Australian artist Emily Kam Kngwarray is well-known for her abstract paintings depicting the natural world through vibrant colors and organized lines. This retrospective positions her as an Aboriginal artist deeply rooted in her culture. With works that have been sold worldwide Kngwarray's impact extends beyond abstraction.
See her artwork from December 2 2023 to April 28 2024.
"Imagined Fronts: The Great War and Global Media" at Los Angeles County Museum of Art
This exhibition delves into the media's portrayal of the Great War showcasing over 200 objects including posters advocating for gender equality and powerful paintings representing the Battle of Verdun. By exploring how the conflict was depicted in the media this show sheds light on the complexities of wartime communication.
Open from December 3 2023 to July 7 2024.
"Hernan Bas: The Conceptualists" at the Bass Miami
Miami-based painter Hernan Bas presents his solo show during Art Basel Miami Beach. Known for his queer tableaux Bas returns to 19th-century styles for this exhibition. His collection of 35 works focuses on a character who engages in conceptual art activities such as persistent gum chewing creating a unique and captivating experience.
Take it from December 4 2023 to May 5 2024.
"Ahmed Morsi in New York: Elegy of the Sea" at Institute of Contemporary Art Miami
Egyptian-born painter Ahmed Morsi's surreal imagery featuring enigmatic figures and horses takes center stage in this exhibition. Morsi's exploration of the sea as a symbol for transnational experiences and crossings between worlds will captivate audiences. Discover his works produced between 1983 and 2012.
Experience the exhibition from December 5 2023 to April 28 2024.
"Pesellino: A Renaissance Master Revealed" at National Gallery London
Francesco Pesellino may not be a household name today but this exhibition aims to resurrect his reputation as a Renaissance master. Celebrated in his time for his intricate paintings Pesellino's artworks were highly sought after by the Medici family. The National Gallery's conservators have meticulously restored his battle scene masterpiece presenting it alongside other rare pieces.
Catch this rare exhibition from December 7 2023 to March 10 2024.
"Cecilia Vicuña: Dreaming Water" at Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
Cecilia Vicuña's mesmerizing paintings rooted in feminist cosmologies and Indigenous knowledge continue to captivate audiences. Following her acclaimed presence at the 2022 Venice Biennale this retrospective of over 200 works explores the influence of South American politics and culture on her art since the 1960s.
On view from December 8 2023 to February 26 2024.
Thailand Biennale in Chiang Rai
The Thailand Biennale returns for its third edition this time in Chiang Rai. Curated by Rirkrit Tiravanija and Gridthiya Gaweewong the exhibition asks visitors to imagine a better future amidst shifting borders. Notable artists like Ho Tzu Nyen Ernesto Neto and Haegue Yang will be part of this exploration alongside acclaimed Thai artists.
The Biennale runs from December 9 2023 to April 30 2024.
"Leda Papaconstantinou: A Retrospective at EMST"
In Athens Leda Papaconstantinou is being celebrated at EMST for her groundbreaking performances from the '60s and '70s. Her work challenged traditional ideas about gender. The exhibition part of the "What If Women Ruled the World?" series goes beyond her feminist art. It also highlights her time running a theater company on Spetses Island blending local and professional actors to explore community dynamics. Opens December 14.
Caspar David Friedrich: 250th Birthday Celebration at Hamburger Kunsthalle
Hamburger Kunsthalle in Germany is honoring Caspar David Friedrich's 250th birthday with an exhibition featuring 50 paintings including his famous "Monk by the Sea." The show also presents 90 works on paper showcasing Friedrich's impact on German art. December 15 2023–April 1 2024.
John Chamberlain: A Comprehensive Retrospective at Aspen Art Museum
Aspen Art Museum's exhibition "John Chamberlain: THE TIGHTER THEY'RE WOUND THE HARDER THEY UNRAVEL" curated by artist Urs Fischer is a comprehensive look at Chamberlain's career. It includes early and late works focusing on his crushed car assemblages and photography. December 15 2023–April 7 2024.
Ay-O: A Colorful Journey at M+ Hong Kong
M+ in Hong Kong presents "Ay-O: Hong Hong Hong" a survey of Ay-O's rainbow-colored prints and Fluxus movement contributions. The exhibition spans works from the 1950s to the 2000s. Opens December 15 2023.
Lacan and Art: A Unique Intersection at Centre Pompidou Metz
Centre Pompidou Metz in France explores Jacques Lacan's influence on art with "Lacan The Exhibition: When Art Encounters Psychoanalysis." The show includes pieces reflecting Lacan's theories from Caravaggio to Maurizio Cattelan. December 31 2023–May 27 2024.
Anu Põder: Exploring the Body at Muzeum Susch
Muzeum Susch in Switzerland features "Anu Põder: Space for My Body" showcasing the Estonian artist's sculptures that explore the body in unconventional ways. January 3–June 30 2024.
Tetsuya Yamada: A Major Exhibition at Walker Art Center
Walker Art Center in Minneapolis hosts "Tetsuya Yamada: Listening" the artist's first major US museum exhibition. It includes sculptures and installations exploring identity and existence. January 18–July 7 2024.
Zanele Muholi: Documenting Queer Lives at SFMOMA
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art presents "Zanele Muholi: Eye Me" a survey of Muholi's work highlighting the experiences of queer people in South Africa. January 18–August 11 2024.
Tobias Spichtig: New Works at Kunsthalle Basel
Kunsthalle Basel in Switzerland features "Tobias Spichtig: Everything No One Ever Wanted" showcasing Spichtig's new paintings sculptures and installations. January 19–April 28 2024.
Loie Hollowell: A Decade of Transformation at The Aldrich
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut presents "Loie Hollowell: Space Between A Survey of Ten Years" featuring Hollowell's paintings that explore transformation and the body. January 21–August 11 2024.
Leonard Richard: A Norwegian Retrospective at Astrup Fearnley Museet
Astrup Fearnley Museet in Oslo hosts a retrospective of Leonard Richard one of Norway's most important living artists known for his serene yet unsettling paintings. January 24–May 19 2024.
The Lagos Biennial: African Artists Tackle Climate Change"
The Lagos Biennial focuses on African artists' responses to climate change impacts in the Global South. It includes architectural presentations talks and the "CAPTCHA" art exhibition. February 3–10 2024.
Entangled Pasts: Art and Colonialism at Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy of Arts in London's "Entangled Pasts 1768–now: Art Colonialism and Change" examines British colonialism's impact on art featuring works from multiple centuries and artists. February 3–April 28 2024.
Harold Cohen: The Pioneer of Computer-Generated Art at Whitney Museum
Whitney Museum in New York showcases "Harold Cohen: AARON" highlighting Cohen's computer-generated art from the 1960s. The exhibition includes live demonstrations of AARON's process. February 3–June 2024.
