Photo: © David Parry/ Royal Academy of Arts
Cover Photo: © David Parry/ Royal Academy of Arts
From rarely-seen paintings by Leonardo da Vinci to books of Japanese manga, there's something for art lover to see this summer

1. The Venice Biennale

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Above Shirley Tse, Negotiated Differences (detail) (2019). (Courtesy of Shirley Tse. Photo: Joshua White. Commissioned by M+, 2019)

Where: Venice, Italy

Sometimes described as the Olympics of the art world, the Venice Biennale sees countries invite an artist (or group of artists) to represent them at this international exhibition, which takes place in dozens of venues around the Italian city.

This year’s show is themed “May You Live In Interesting Times”, a phrase taken from an ancient Chinese curse that condemns the listener to live in times of crisis and uncertainty. 

Artists to look out for at this year’s event include Turner Prize-winning Charlotte Prodger(who’s representing Scotland), Inuit artist collective Isuma (Canada) and Shirley Tse (Hong Kong).

Until November 24. Various locations around Venice. labiennale.org/en

See also: Shirley Tse On The Hong Kong Pavilion

2. Whitney Biennial 2019

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Above Iman Issa, Heritage Studies #27 (2017); Milano Chow, Night Exterior III (2019); Milano Chow, Night Exterior II (2019); Iman Issa, Heritage Studies #34 (2019); Milano Chow, Night Exterior I (2019); Iman Issa, Heritage Studies #20 (2016); Pat Phillips, Untitled (Don't Tread On Me) (2019) (left to right). Exhibition view: Whitney Biennial 2019, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (17 May–22 September 2019). (Courtesy of the Museum of American Art. Photo: Ron Amstutz)

Where: New York, USA

The Whitney Biennial is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary American art. Founded in 1932, the show has helped catapult artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock and Jeff Koons to global fame.

This year’s show is being organised by Jane Panetta, associate curator, and Rujeko Hockley, assistant curator.

Until September 22. The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, USA. whitney.org

3. The Summer Exhibition

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Photo: © David Parry/ Royal Academy of Arts
Above An installation view of the Summer Exhibition 2019. (Photo: © David Parry/ Royal Academy of Arts)

Where: London, England 

A great leveller in the art world calendar, the Royal Academy's annual summer exhibition showcases the works of amateur artists alongside big names such as Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry and Banksy. 

This year's sprawling show features more than 1,500 artworks, including paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, architectural models and much more. Highlights include a monumental new painting by Anselm Kiefer and a double portrait by Wolfgang Tillmans. 

Until August 12. The Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0BD, UK. royalacademy.org.uk

See also: Wolfgang Tillmans And David Zwirner Land In Hong Kong

4. Bauhaus Week

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Above T. Lux Feininger, Bauhausbühne Dessau: Lichtspiel von Oskar Schlemmer mit dem Tänzer und Pantomimen Werner Siedhoff (1928). (© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kunstbibliothek. © Estate of T. Lux Feininger)

Where: Berlin, Germany

A century after the founding of the influential Bauhaus art and architecture school, performances, exhibitions and other events will showcase the movement’s innovative designs and explore its continuing cultural impact at museums and public spaces around Berlin. Be sure to see the Bauhaus and Photography exhibition at the Museum of Photography. 

August 31 to September 8. Various venues around Berlin. bauhaus100.com  

5. Picasso—Birth of a Genius

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Above Pablo Picasso, Reading (1932). (Courtesy of Musée national Picasso-Paris. © Succession Picasso 2019)

Where: Beijing, China 

Pablo Picasso’s transformative works have voyaged from their home at the Musée national Picasso-Paris to the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing for Picasso — Birth of a Genius.

Featuring 103 works from the first three decades of Picasso's career, this is the largest exhibition of the renowned artist’s work ever hosted in China.

Until September 1. UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, 4 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, Mainland China, 100103. ucca.org.cn 

6. Leonardo da Vinci’s St Jerome

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LEONARDO. SAN GIROLAMO. INV. 40337
Above Leonardo da Vinci, St Jerome Praying in the Wilderness (begun c. 1483). (Courtesy of Vatican City, Musei Vaticani. Photo © Governatorate of the Vatican City State - Vatican Museums. All rights reserved)

In commemoration of Leonardo da Vinci’s death 500 years ago, the Met is showing his unfinished painting Saint Jerome Praying in the Wilderness (1483), which presents a unique opportunity to examine the polymath’s creative process. The painting is on special loan from the Vatican Museums.

Until October 6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA. metmuseum.org 

See also: China's Largest Picasso Exhibition: 10 Paintings To See At Picasso-Birth Of A Genius"

7. Olafur Eliasson: In Real Life

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Above Olafur Eliasson, Your uncertain shadow (colour) (2010). (Photo: María del Pilar García Ayensa/ Studio Olafur Eliasson. © 2010 Olafur Eliasson)

Where: London, England 

The Danish-Icelandic artist is known for his sculptures and large-scale installations that play with the elements, and his latest exhibition won’t disappoint. The works make use of rainbow, light and shadow. The exhibition features a spectacular outdoor sculpture as well as an area where Eliasson explores social issues such as climate change and migration.

July 11 to January 5, 2020. Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK. tate.org.uk  

8. Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now

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Above Robert Mapplethorpe , Ajitor (1981). (Courtesy of the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, New York. © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation)

The second event in a two-part series dedicated to the acclaimed, late 20th century American artist, this exhibition places a selection of Mapplethorpe's portrait photography in conversation with contemporary artists’ works that reference his oeuvre, thus exploring the impact of his lasting legacy. 

July 24 to January 5, 2020. The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128, USA. guggenheim.org 

See also: What You Need To Know About Yorkshire Sculpture International

9. Why Should I Hesitate? Putting Drawings To Work

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Above William Kentridge, a still from Notes Towards a Model Opera (2015). (Courtesy of William Kentridge Studios)

Two of South Africa’s leading art institutions are showing works by famed local artist William Kentridge in his largest exhibition on the African continent in over a decade. The Norval Foundation focuses on sculptures that Kentridge has created over the past two decades, while Zeitz MOCAA charts 40 years of drawings, stop-frame animation, videos, tapestries, and other pieces—some of which will be displayed in South Africa for the first time.

August 24, 2019 to March 2020. Zeitz Mocaa, V&A Waterfront, Silo District, S Arm Rd, Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa. zeitzmocaa.museum

August 24, 2019 to March 2020. The Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Rd, Steenberg Estate, Cape Town, 7945, South Africa. norvalfoundation.org

 

10. Manga

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Above Noda Satoru, Golden Kamuy (2014 onwards). (Courtesy of the British Museum)

Where: London, England

The largest exhibition of manga ever to take place outside of Japan, this sprawling exhibition is sure to impress both existing fans and curious gallery-goers who are entirely new to the genre.

As well as showcasing manga prints and comics, the exhibition will house a recreation of the oldest manga bookshop in Tokyo and will feature a “cosplay section”, where visitors can dress up as their favourite manga character.

Until August 26. The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK. britishmuseum.org

See also: British Artist Harland Miller On The Power Of Words

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