London Art Scene: Exhibitions and Auction Updates (April 13, 2026)
For the second week of April 2026, London’s art scene is buzzing with John Gerrard’s digital installations on fossil fuels and Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s first UK museum solo show. Meanwhile, Sotheby’s Spring sale saw a strong rebound for blue-chip modernism, signaling renewed market confidence. If you're in town, don't miss the four major exhibitions closing this weekend!
London Art Exhibition and Auction Report — 2026-04-13
Major Exhibitions & Gallery Openings
John Gerrard: Digital Installations on Energy — London
- Dates: Ongoing (closing date TBD)
- Artist: John Gerrard
- Highlights: Featured in The Guardian’s "The Week in Art" (April 10, 2026), John Gerrard is making waves with his hard-hitting digital installations. By simulating global fossil fuel infrastructure, he offers a sharp critique of the climate crisis and capitalist production. Known as a "digital wizard," Gerrard recreates oil pumps from remote corners of the globe in real-time, virtual spaces.
Michaela Yearwood-Dan: First UK Museum Solo Exhibition — London
- Dates: Ongoing
- Artist: Michaela Yearwood-Dan
- Highlights: Also highlighted by The Guardian on April 10, Yearwood-Dan’s first solo show at a UK museum is currently a must-see. Her paintings, which explore Black femininity, botanical metaphors, and queer identity through vibrant colors, have been described as capturing "moments of rebellious joy." She is quickly becoming a rising star to watch.
Closing Soon: Four Winter Exhibitions — Various London Locations
- Dates: Ending this weekend, April 13, 2026
- Artist: Various (see "Recommended Visits" below)
- Highlights: Time Out London (April 8, 2026) issued a "last chance" warning for four excellent winter season exhibitions. If you want to catch these, you'll need to head out this weekend before they wrap up for good.
V&A Museum: Artists’ Perspectives on the Great Exhibition
- Dates: Ongoing
- Artist: Based on research by Julius Bryant
- Highlights: The Art Newspaper reported on April 8 that the V&A’s National Art Library is showcasing a new exhibition and publication that re-examines the 1851 Great Exhibition through the eyes of artists. It offers a fresh, creative angle on London’s Industrial Revolution-era megaproject.
Auction Highlights
Sotheby’s — Spring 2026 London Sale
- Key Results: Rare paintings by mid-20th-century masters achieved record prices; high sales across the blue-chip modernism section.
- Market Signal: As reported by ArteFuse earlier this month, the sale reflected a "flight to certainty." Despite global economic uncertainty, collectors are clearly gravitating back toward blue-chip modernism and established contemporary masters. It’s being viewed as more than just a successful auction; it's a recalibration of the market.
Christie’s — South Asian Modern Art Sale (Upcoming)
- Key Details: 93 lots slated for auction on June 11.
- Market Signal: The Art Newspaper (March 31) reports that Christie’s is bringing a dedicated South Asian Modern Art sale back to London for the first time in seven years. Featuring rare Bengal paintings, this event signals a renewed appetite for South Asian art in the London market.
Art Market Trends
- Blue-Chip Modernism Remains Strong: Both London and Hong Kong markets show solid demand for blue-chip works. BritBrief (April 11) reports sustained investor confidence alongside an uptick in gallery interest for emerging artists dealing with social and environmental issues.
- Sotheby’s 2025 Revenue: The Art Newspaper (March 9) noted that Sotheby’s saw a 18% increase in global revenue to $7.1 billion in 2025, with improvements in profitability and debt reduction. However, the report also warned that the UK gallery market remains in a tough spot.
- Rise of Diverse Voices: As highlighted by Time Out and The Guardian, London galleries are actively showcasing emerging artists from queer, Black, and Asian backgrounds. Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s quick transition to museum-level solo shows is a prime example of this momentum.
Rising Stars & Galleries
Michaela Yearwood-Dan: Spotlighted by The Guardian, she is a painter to watch. Her large-scale works—blending body imagery with botanical motifs—are drawing international collector attention. The Guardian calls her work "moments of rebellious joy."
Socially Engaged Art: BritBrief notes that inquiries for artists addressing environmental and social themes are rising, making "socially engaged art" a distinct trend in the London scene.
Recommended Visits
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John Gerrard Digital Installation — London (Highly recommended by The Guardian) / Immersive critique of the energy industry.
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Michaela Yearwood-Dan Solo Exhibition — London (Guardian feature) / A must-see debut solo show.
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Four Closing Exhibitions — Various Museums / These winter highlights end this weekend, April 13—don't miss out!
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V&A Great Exhibition Showcase — Victoria and Albert Museum / A look at the 1851 event through an artistic lens.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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