5 Art Exhibitions Not to Miss in 2022

Where to find emerging artists in London and beyond

We can finally leave the house again and where better to start integrating back into society than at an art show. But with so much going on in the cultural scene, it’s hard to know where to start. From discovering emerging artists at the BRUSHWRK exhibition party to the East London gallery crawl, here are five art shows to check out in 2022.

BRUSHWRK Exhibition Party

November 2021 saw the first BRUSHWRK exhibition hit London to bring the app – a social marketplace to discover, buy and sell unique and affordable art – to life. Showcasing the work of some of the inaugural artists from the app, including Nicole Holder and Justine P-W, it was a night of great art, great music and great people.

If you missed the first show, don’t worry, as BRUSHWRK are hosting their second exhibition in April 2022. Come along to Paper Dress Vintage in London to celebrate the work of artists Sabina Silver and Sxss Collection. There will be free drinks for the first hour of the event, followed by good vibes all night.

Find more information on the event here

Guts Gallery

We all know the museum sector has its issues so it’s refreshing when you find a gallery that is actively working against the traditional, discriminatory system. By platforming and supporting creatives, Guts Gallery’s mission is to empower underrepresented voices and champion the next generation of artists and curators.

Located in East London, the next show to take over the space in April 2022 is Olivia Sterling’s 'Manslaughter': “Challenging hierarchical systems of power, the exhibition intentionally destabilises and interrogates these modes of control by reimagining a world in which the role of the oppressor is inverted.” If this doesn’t make you want to go and check out the space (we definitely will be), the gallery hosts several shows a year so keep an eye out for more to come.

Explore current and upcoming exhibitions here

Affordable Art Fair

We love affordable art (that still pays the artists what they deserve) and the Affordable Art Fair is all about democratising the art world. Founded in London’s Battersea Park, it is aiming to make the art fair scene more accessible to the public. Costing under £15 for a general admission ticket, this is a step in the right direction so that anyone can browse art without the exclusive guest lists and extortionate price tags that can come with it.

2022 sees the Affordable Art Fair travel across London, New York, Hong Kong, and more. If you’re in the UK in May, make sure to check out the fair held in Hampstead or stick around until October when the fair will return to its original site at Battersea Park. Alongside artist performances, talks and tours and even live music, you make a day out of the occasion and pick up some incredible artworks while you’re there.

Discover all upcoming fairs here

Student degree shows

When summer rolls around, before final year art students start packing their bags to head off on a boozy break, you’ll find them busily working in the studio to prepare for their degree shows. This is one of the best places to discover emerging artists and support them as they enter post-graduate life. After two years of cancelled graduations and online shows, this is also the year to finally see art in real life again, and we can’t wait.

From June to July is when you’ll find most of the shows happening. In South London, make sure to check out the creative work of Goldsmiths students, spanning music, theatre, fine art, design, computing and more. Or if you’re based a bit further up north in the UK, the Manchester School of Art are also opening their doors to the public this summer.

Keep an eye on the UAL graduate showcase for when it’s updated for 2022 too

East London gallery crawl

We’re all partial to a pub crawl but why not get your walking shoes on this year for a night of culture! On the first Thursday of every month, East London’s art scene comes together to open its doors for late-night exhibitions, events, talks and more. Organised by Whitechapel Gallery in partnership with Time Out, you can discover over 150 galleries across the East-side of the capital.

If you don’t know where to start, why not join one of the guided walking tours, that takes you through some of the top exhibitions to see that month. With so many institutions involved, from places you might have heard of like the Barbican Centre and Hackney Picturehouse, to new spaces waiting to be discovered, you’re sure to find something to enjoy every month.

Join the next First Thursdays

Can’t make it to the shows? Explore art online at BRUSHWRK