London's Hidden Art Gems: REDD’s Guide to Must-See Exhibitions This Autumn

Autumn in London is synonymous with high-profile art events like Frieze, PAD and the Turner Prize, but for those looking to escape the larger crowds, the city offers a wealth of hidden gems in the art world. This season, we’ve curated five under-the-radar exhibitions that should not be overlooked. From Haegue Yang’s innovative installations at the Hayward Gallery to Hew Locke’s colonial artefacts at the British Museum, these exhibitions offer unique perspectives and intimate experiences.

Haegue Yang: Leap Year

9 October 2024 –⁠ 5 January 2025.

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In October, the Hayward Gallery will present "Leap Year" by Haegue Yang, marking the artist's first major exhibition in the UK. Yang's groundbreaking work, which includes installations and sculptures, delves into cross-cultural influences, modernism, and personal narratives. The exhibition will feature three new commissions, her renowned Venetian blind pieces and immersive sonic sculptures, inviting viewers into a world where everyday objects transcend their ordinary functions.

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Location: Hayward Gallery, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

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Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love and Death in Sicily

Wed 09 Oct 2024 - Sun 23 Feb 2025

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The Photographers' Gallery presents "Life, Love and Death in Sicily," an evocative exhibition by Letizia Battaglia. Renowned for her gritty and poignant photography, Battaglia captures the raw essence of Sicilian life, delving into themes of love, mortality, and the region’s complex social fabric. This exhibition offers a powerful glimpse into the soul of Sicily.

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Location: The Photographer Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1F7LW

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Hew Locke: What have we here?

17 October 2024 – 9 February 2025

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This autumn, the British Museum will present a major new exhibition by Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke. Featuring over 150 objects, including newly commissioned works, Locke challenges viewers to confront the complexities of history and its lingering impacts. This thought-provoking exhibition encourages dialogue on contentious topics through a carefully curated selection of artefacts.

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Location: The Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery, The British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3D

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Lost Gardens of London

23 Oct 2024 - 2 Mar 2025 

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The Garden Museum's "Lost Gardens of London" exhibition uncovers the forgotten green spaces of the city, revealing the hidden histories of London's vanished gardens through rare maps, paintings, and archives. The exhibit is guest-curated by landscape architect and historian Dr Todd Longstaffe-Gowan. 

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Location: The Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road London, SE1 7LB

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Bruno Zhu

22 November 2024 – 2 February 2025

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Head East to the Chisenhale Gallery to see Bruno Zhu explore desire, identity, and ideology through fashion, publishing, and scenography through his works. His installations encourage viewers to reconsider concepts of agency, authorship, and power, featuring purpose-built rooms that merge public and private spaces.

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Location: 64 Chisenhale Rd, Old Ford, London E3 5RG

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