Are you ready to travel the world without leaving your seat? 2025 is packed with incredible exhibitions that bring art, history, and culture to life like never before. From vibrant modern masterpieces in New York to stunning displays of ancient craftsmanship in Rome, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Whether you’re into tech-savvy digital showcases or jaw-dropping sculptures, this year’s global art scene promises unforgettable experiences.
The best part? These exhibitions are spread across the globe, giving you the perfect excuse to dream about traveling to new and exciting places. You’ll find hidden gems in Berlin, futuristic displays in Norway, and even groundbreaking glass creations in Australia. Curious about what else is on display? Keep reading to discover 20 must-see exhibitions that will amaze, inspire, and maybe even spark your next adventure!
Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting at the National Portrait Gallery
Marking her first major exhibition in London, Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting dives into her groundbreaking exploration of the human form. Known for her bold and raw depictions of bodies, Saville’s work leaves a strong impression with its large-scale, detailed paintings. Each piece tells a story, reshaping the way we see the human figure through layers of emotion, power, and vulnerability.
Hosted at the National Portrait Gallery, this exhibition celebrates Saville’s trailblazing career and her influence on contemporary art. Visitors can expect her signature style—rich textures and bold strokes—capturing the depth and complexity of flesh. It’s not just an exhibition; it’s a chance to step into the world of one of the most talked-about artists of our time. Perfect for fans of art that challenges and surprises, this is a must-see event that will stick with you long after you leave. The show runs from Friday, 20 June 2025 through Sunday, 7 September 2025.
From the Heart to the Hand: Dolce & Gabbana at the Grand Palais
To celebrate 40 years of iconic fashion, Dolce & Gabbana present From the Heart to the Hand at Paris’s Grand Palais. This exhibition takes you into the creative world of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, showcasing the inspirations behind their legendary designs. Think Sicilian ceramics, dazzling Venetian glass, and the artistry that brings their ideas to life.
The display is packed with eye-catching creations, from glamorous gowns to one-of-a-kind pieces that highlight the duo’s signature style. Walking through this exhibition feels like a behind-the-scenes pass to the story of how imagination is turned into high fashion. Whether you’re a fan of couture or just looking for inspiration, it’s a chance to experience the craftsmanship and flair that have defined four decades of Dolce & Gabbana. This fashion retrospective ran at the Grand Palais from January 10, 2025, through March 31, 2025.
Doll House – A Retrospective at the Louisiana Museum of Contemporary Art
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark is hosting Doll House – A Retrospective, the first comprehensive museum retrospective of Upson’s work after her death in 2021. Her art dives deep into themes like identity, relationships, and human emotions, presenting an honest and thought-provoking perspective. From performances to sculptures and fantastical paintings, her creations feel both strange and familiar, making you rethink what art can be.
Highlights of the exhibit include pieces from Alice in the Land of Doom and When Kaari Met Larry, which showcase Upson’s unique approach to storytelling through warped figures and dreamy imagery. These works blend creativity with raw emotion, offering visitors an unforgettable look into her imaginative world. Whether you’re an art lover or just curious about something different, this retrospective is an incredible tribute to Upson’s work and legacy. The exhibition runs through October 26, 2025.
Roma Pittrice: Women Artists at Work in Rome – Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi
The exhibition Roma Pittrice at the Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi shines a well-deserved spotlight on female painters from the 16th to 18th centuries. These talented artists were often overshadowed by male counterparts, but this exhibition brings their stories and stunning works into focus. Featuring around 130 pieces, the collection includes art from renowned names like Artemisia Gentileschi and Lavinia Fontana, alongside rediscovered gems from lesser-known creators like Laura Piranesi and Emma Gaggiotti.
Walking through this exhibit feels like uncovering hidden treasures. The showcased paintings highlight the bold creativity and influence that these women brought to the art world despite the challenges they faced. By reintroducing their works to the public, Roma Pittrice provides a fresh perspective on an often-overlooked chapter in art history. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves discovering the untold stories behind incredible masterpieces.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time – Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo invites you into the mesmerizing world of Ryuichi Sakamoto with Seeing Sound, Hearing Time. This exhibition dives deep into Sakamoto’s three-dimensional sound installations, blending music and visual art in ways that feel almost magical. Using tracks from his 2017 album async, these pieces create an immersive experience, where sound and space come together to tell incredible stories.
Set both indoors and outdoors, the exhibition showcases Sakamoto’s unique ability to transform music into something you can almost touch and see. Each installation feels alive, capturing the creativity of one of Japan’s most celebrated musicians and multimedia artists. Whether you’re a fan of music, art, or just cool interactive experiences, this exhibit gives you the chance to get lost in the sounds and vision of a true artistic innovator.
Warhol, Pollock and other American spaces – Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid is hosting a fascinating exhibition, Warhol, Pollock and Other American Spaces. This showcase dives into the unique artistic views of Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, exploring how these two very different artists tackled similar themes like space, repetition, and abstraction. Visitors will get to see how Pollock’s chaotic energy connects with Warhol’s structured seriality, offering a surprising conversation between their works.
The exhibition doesn’t stop with just these two giants of American art. It also highlights pieces from other artists of their era, giving visitors a broader view of how the concepts of figure, background, and camouflage were redefined in this period. Whether you’re a fan of Pollock’s dripping technique or Warhol’s pop culture icons, this exhibit delivers a dynamic mix of styles and ideas, all under one roof. It’s a feast for anyone curious about American modern art!
The exhibition is scheduled to run from October 21, 2025, through January 25, 2026.
From Odesa to Berlin – Gemäldegalerie
Hosted at Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie, From Odesa to Berlin presents an extraordinary collection of European paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries. Centered around 60 masterpieces from the Museum of Western and Eastern Art in Odesa, this exhibition highlights Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage. Alongside these, 25 works from Berlin’s own collection add depth to this showcase, creating a fascinating mix of artistry and history.
Divided into nine chapters, the exhibition doesn’t just celebrate art—it sends a powerful message of solidarity with Ukraine during challenging times. Visitors can explore breathtaking pieces while reflecting on the role of culture in connecting and supporting communities. With its stunning artworks and meaningful purpose, this exhibition is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty and resilience of European art.
Ian Hamilton Finlay – Modern Two
Modern Two in Edinburgh is celebrating the centenary of Ian Hamilton Finlay, one of Scotland’s most influential artists and poets. Known for his role in the concrete poetry movement, Finlay created works that combined art and language in unique ways. This free springtime exhibition will showcase 30 pieces, including sculptures, installations, prints, and archival materials that highlight his creativity and passion for nature and craftsmanship.
Visitors can explore how Finlay’s artistic vision fused words, objects, and gardens to create something truly unforgettable. Whether you’re drawn to his thought-provoking poetry or the elegance of his sculptures, this exhibit offers an inspiring peek into the life and legacy of a creator who saw art in everything. It’s a chance to celebrate the mind of a pioneer while enjoying a collection that feels both captivating and timeless.
Ithell Colquhoun: Between Worlds – Tate St Ives
Tate St Ives is honoring British surrealist artist Ithell Colquhoun with Between Worlds, her first major exhibition. Known for blending art with themes of magic and nature, Colquhoun’s work is as mesmerizing as it is mysterious. This showcase features 200 pieces, including paintings, drawings, and archival materials, offering a deep look into her creative world inspired by mythology and the environment.
From her dreamy landscapes to works exploring spiritual and ecological ideas, Colquhoun’s art draws you in with its bold colors and otherworldly energy. This exhibition not only celebrates her connection to surrealism but also her unique perspective on themes often overlooked in the art scene. Whether you love surrealism or are just curious about one of Britain’s hidden gems, Between Worlds invites you to step into Colquhoun’s fascinating imagination.
Chihuly’s Garden Cycle – Adelaide Botanic Garden
At the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Chihuly’s Garden Cycle transforms glass art into a magical outdoor experience. American artist Dale Chihuly, famous for his colorful, hand-blown glass sculptures, brings his dazzling creations to life in the open air. The exhibition features 15 pieces, including brand-new works made especially for Adelaide, all set against the lush greenery and vibrant flowers of the garden. The changing light and weather make each visit feel different and exciting.
This outdoor exhibition merges nature and art in a way that’s hard to forget. From striking colors to bold shapes, Chihuly’s sculptures catch the eye and spark the imagination. Whether the sun is shining or shadows are falling, these glass artworks glow and shimmer, creating a one-of-a-kind visual experience. For anyone who loves creative designs or simply wants to see something amazing, this display is a must-see during Adelaide’s autumn months.
Paul Pfeiffer: Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom – Guggenheim Museum
At the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Paul Pfeiffer’s Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom takes a bold look at celebrity culture. This cutting-edge exhibition uses everything from sports footage to concert clips, photography, and sculptures to explore how fame shapes society. By remixing visuals and sounds we think we know, Pfeiffer invites visitors to see these familiar moments in entirely new ways.
This marks the European debut of the exhibition, which first appeared in Los Angeles. Each piece feels like a puzzle, asking visitors to consider the deeper meaning behind celebrity and our obsession with it. The mix of media creates an experience that’s both thought-provoking and visually captivating. If you’re curious about how art and pop culture collide, this exhibition is definitely worth checking out before it moves on in 2025!
Hong Kong Paintings in Sai Yuen Lane – Sun Museum
The Sun Museum in Hong Kong has launched an exciting exhibition titled Hong Kong Paintings in Sai Yuen Lane. Featuring 132 works by 92 talented local artists, this show shines a light on the city’s vibrant art scene. From traditional ink to oil paintings, watercolors, charcoal, and even marker pen creations, it’s a celebration of the diverse techniques and styles that make Hong Kong’s art so unique.
Walking through the exhibition feels like exploring the many layers of Hong Kong’s cultural identity. Each piece tells a story, reflecting the artists’ connection to the city and their own personal experiences. Whether you love bold colors, intricate details, or new ways of looking at the world, this exhibition offers something for everyone. It’s the perfect way to get inspired and learn more about the creative voices shaping Hong Kong’s art today.
Ocean Deep – Kunstsilo
Dive into the mystery of the deep blue at Ocean Deep, an immersive exhibition at Kunstsilo in Kristiansand, Norway. Combining art and technology, this display offers a digital exploration of the uncharted ocean depths. A blend of The Nordic Ocean Series by Marpi Studio and The Sentinel Self by Sissel Marie Tonn, the exhibition draws visitors into a mesmerizing world of marine life and underwater wonders.
What makes it truly special is its focus on the surprising connections between humans and marine ecosystems. The immersive installations invite you to think about how closely our lives are tied to the ocean, even if we don’t see it every day. Through interactive visuals and captivating soundscapes, Ocean Deep provides a unique experience that’s equal parts beautiful and fascinating. Explore the unknown and see the ocean in a way you never have before!
Alexis Neal: Holding Space – Sarjeant Gallery
The Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui, New Zealand, is celebrating Māori culture through the powerful works of Alexis Neal in her exhibition Holding Space. Known for her skill in printmaking and weaving, Neal tells stories that connect objects to their deep ancestral roots. Her art reflects the Māori idea of ‘taonga tuku iho’, or “treasures handed down,” reminding us that every artifact carries its history, heritage, and significance.
From woven pieces to intricately printed works, Neal’s creations draw attention to the meaningful ties between art, memory, and identity. Each piece invites viewers to think about how objects can hold stories of the past and inspire the future. Holding Space is not just about art—it’s about understanding the connections that bind people, cultures, and history together in beautiful, thought-provoking ways. This is a must-see for anyone curious about storytelling through art.
Lindy Lee and ‘Ouroboros – NGA
At the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra, Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros is finally here after three years in the making. This AU$14 million sculpture, commissioned to celebrate the NGA’s 40th anniversary, is a breathtaking addition to the gallery’s collection. With 60,000 hours of work poured into its creation, the piece represents connection, eternity, and the passage of time. It’s mesmerizing to see how art and dedication combine to make something so captivating.
Alongside Ouroboros, the NGA is hosting a special exhibition celebrating Lee’s impressive career. From her early paintings to her more recent sculptural works, the showcase gives visitors a chance to see how her art has evolved over four decades. It’s a perfect mix of stunning artistry and inspiring storytelling that honors one of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary artists. Don’t miss it if you love art that makes you stop and think.
Oluseye: Merindinlogun – Art Gallery of Ontario
At the Art Gallery of Ontario, Oluseye: Merindinlogun brings the ancient symbolism of cowrie shells into sharp focus. Nigerian-Canadian artist Oluseye reimagines these tiny, egg-shaped shells as large bronze sculptures, creating a visual dialogue about history, culture, and belonging. The exhibition takes its name from a Yoruba divination ritual, showcasing how these shells serve as more than just ornaments—they hold deep spiritual meaning and ties to identity.
Through his 16 powerful sculptures, Oluseye explores the Black experience and its connections to traditions inherited across generations. Each piece seems to speak about resilience and self-discovery, inviting viewers to reflect on their own connection to culture and heritage. It’s a poetic and moving exhibition that turns something as small as a shell into a way of telling powerful stories about the past and present.
Vermeer’s Love Letters – The Frick Collection
The Frick Collection in New York is finally reopening its historic building, and it’s kicking things off with something special—Vermeer’s Love Letters. This exhibition not only celebrates the return of The Frick to its original home but also brings together an exceptional display of Vermeer’s works. Known for his breathtaking ability to capture quiet, intimate moments, Vermeer’s paintings featured here center around the theme of love and communication through handwritten letters.
Wandering through the newly restored galleries, visitors can immerse themselves in Vermeer’s world, where soft light, delicate details, and deeply personal scenes take center stage. This exhibition doesn’t just showcase art; it invites you to reflect on the timeless nature of human emotions and the stories those emotions create. Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious, this is a rare chance to see these masterpieces up close in a space that’s as stunning as the works themselves.
Ruth Asawa, “A Retrospective – SFMOMA, San Francisco
San Francisco’s SFMOMA is honoring the life and work of Ruth Asawa with a stunning retrospective that showcases 300 of her creations. Renowned for her looped-wire sculptures—complex forms that seem to float in midair—Asawa’s art reflects her connection to nature and her unique ability to shape everyday materials into extraordinary designs. Visitors will get to see her experiments with metal, clay, and other mediums, tracing a career that spanned over six decades.
One of the most personal parts of the exhibition is a recreation of Asawa’s Noe Valley home and studio. This space offers a glimpse into her world, complete with her hand-carved redwood doors, sketchbooks, and work by artists she admired. It’s not just an exhibit but a chance to understand the artist’s life, creativity, and the inspiration she found in her surroundings. This is a must-see for fans of art and stories that connect people to their roots. The exhibition runs from April 5 to September 2, 2025.
Rashid Johnson, “A Poem for Deep Thinkers” – Guggenheim Museum, NY
At the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Rashid Johnson’s A Poem for Deep Thinkers transforms the iconic rotunda into a space full of meaning and emotion. Featuring 90 works, Johnson explores themes like social alienation, rebirth, and how we cope with the world around us. Known for his creativity across different mediums, the exhibition includes his famous black-soap paintings, films, and spray-painted text pieces.
One of the most exciting parts of the exhibit is Sanguine (2025), a site-specific work on the museum’s top ramp that features a piano for live performances. Local musicians and artists will bring Johnson’s themes to life through music and events, making the experience feel personal and alive. Whether you’re into art, music, or just curious about how they connect, this exhibition offers a unique way to reflect on the ways we express and understand our struggles and hope. The solo show opened on April 18, 2025 and runs through January 18, 2026.
Emily Kam Kngwarray – Tate Modern, London
Tate Modern in London is shining a spotlight on the extraordinary art of Emily Kam Kngwarray, a senior Anmatyerr woman from Australia. Deeply connected to her land in the Utopia region, Kngwarray started painting in her late seventies, producing an astonishing 3,000 works within just eight years. Her pieces, known for their bold patterns and flowing designs, often reflect her spiritual and cultural relationship with the land.
This exhibition, a collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, is a major event for European audiences, marking the first large-scale presentation of her work outside Australia. Visitors will see vibrant textiles, intricate paintings, and works on paper from the 1970s to the 1990s, many being shown internationally for the first time. It’s a rare chance to experience the breathtaking creativity of an artist who used her work to share stories of her heritage and homeland.
The art world in 2025 is full of surprises, new ideas, and amazing stories waiting to be discovered. With so many different styles and creative voices emerging from around the globe, there’s a perfect exhibition out there for every taste. This year is a chance to step into exciting spaces, see art in fresh ways, and maybe even find inspiration for your own creative journey.
If all this art talk is making you dream of travel, you’re in luck. Take a look at our article The Best 20 Cities to Visit If You Love Art to find out which places should be at the top of your list. Whether you want to explore cool galleries, see street art, or just soak up the creative vibe, your next art-filled adventure might be closer than you think. Go out, explore, and let art lead the way!