Long, languid days and crisp, al fresco nights are the order of the day. Summer is well and truly upon us, and with it comes a cavalcade of cultural delights. To help you take full advantage of the summer slow-down we’ve rounded up a few top-notch art exhibitions and musical evenings out across England. Dive in to get a sense of what’s in store this season…

 

Capturing the Moment

Tate Modern, London | 14^th June, 2023 – 28^th January, 2024

 

This entrancing exhibition explores the relationship between photography and painting as means of capturing the ephemeral. The invention of photography brought a seismic shift to the tradition of painting, reshaping the dialogue around image-making as a form of cataloguing or evoking the past. Through engaging with some of history’s most iconic artworks, from Picasso to Hockney, the exhibition introduces open-ended conversations that are sure to linger long after the show.

 

Painted Love: Renaissance Portraits

The Holburne Museum, Bath | On through 1^st October, 2023

 

Painted Love takes an inquisitive look at the role that portraiture played in European Renaissance marriages. From the intricacies of statecraft to the intimacies of personal connections, these paintings lift the veil to expose stirring insights into the era. They’re shown alongside keepsakes like love letters, rings, and commemorative gifts, shedding light on the complete picture of these history-defining unions.

 

Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way

Leeds Art Gallery | On through 5^th November, 2023

 

This installation by Sonia Boyce is perhaps one of her most immersive yet. It harnesses the power of sound to amplify her visual art, creating an all-encompassing aesthetic environment. You’ll be met by the musical stylings of five Black female artists who approach sound with an experimental spirit. The installation brings up conversations around identity and voice, taking visitors on a kaleidoscopic journey through the senses. As the winner of the coveted Golden Lion award at last year’s Venice Biennale, this one is well worth an afternoon of exploration.

 

Casablanca Art School

Tate St Ives | On through 29^th October, 2023

 

Historically, the Moroccan New Wave hasn’t exactly been a central point in the British art conversation. Though, it’s high time we do have a look at this socially charged movement. The new style sprouted when Morocco gained independence from France in 1956. It found the perfect incubator in the Casablanca Art School, galvanised by the teachings of artists like Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Chabâa, and Mohamed Melehi. Stop into this entrancing exhibition to discover avant-garde works teeming with colour and life, buzzing with the cultural convictions of a talented young group of artists.

 

Love Supreme Jazz Festival

Glynde Place, East Sussex | 30^th June – 2^nd July, 2023

 

The county of Sussex is no stranger to cultural attractions, from Glyndebourne Opera to Charleston Farmhouse. Love Supreme, however, is perhaps the most energetic and immersive of them all. This year, the jazz festival will be headlined by none other than Grace Jones! If that’s not quite enough to get you onboard, she’ll be followed by a diverse range of artists including Emeli Sandé, Thundercat, and FKJ. Book your tickets for a day of musical delights under open skies.

 

Opera Holland Park

Holland Park, London | On through 12^th August

 

A sun-drenched stroll through Holland Park is enough of a lure for most, though the addition of Opera Holland Park takes the attraction to a whole new level. This summer’s programme is wonderfully varied, with something for everyone from children to seasoned opera afficionados. On the docket are classics like La Bohème, alongside more multidisciplinary performances from the likes of The Royal Ballet School. They’ve even got Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes in the books, which is sure to delight the whole family. With such a vast array set within the verdant environs of this much-loved park, it truly is the perfect summer evening out.

 

 

 

Text by Annabel Colterjohn