Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
As the new year unfolds, 2025 promises an extraordinary tapestry of artistic events across Europe. From immersive installations to thought-provoking retrospectives, the continent’s cultural landscape will be brimming with innovation, heritage, and creativity. With travel plans forming and art aficionados eagerly mapping their journeys, let’s delve into the exhibitions poised to define the year.
Chiharu Shiota at La Grand Palais, Paris Dates: 11 December 2024 – 15 April 2025
Chiharu Shiota, celebrated for her intricate thread installations, brings her visionary works to the La Grand Palais in Paris. Spanning two decades of her artistic journey, this retrospective explores the interconnectedness of life, identity, and space. Her evocative creations envelop viewers in a sensory web, where themes of memory and human connection intertwine. This Paris showcase is part of Shiota’s European tour, marking a highlight of the winter season.
For visitors venturing beyond January, La Grand Palais will also host an exhibition celebrating Italian culture, featuring the legacy of Dolce & Gabbana. The duality of these exhibitions underscores the museum’s commitment to blending avant-garde artistry with historical reflections.
Berlinde De Bruyckere at Bozar, Brussels Dates: 21 February – 31 September 2025
Belgium’s Bozar welcomes Berlinde De Bruyckere’s latest exploration of the fragile human condition. Known for her monumental sculptures crafted from wax, wood, and fabric, De Bruyckere’s artistry delves deep into the nexus of mythology, Christian iconography, and Flemish heritage. Following critical acclaim for her works at the 2024 Venice Biennale, this exhibition introduces a series of new pieces commissioned specifically for Bozar.
The synergy of materiality and emotion in her works offers a poignant narrative of vulnerability and resilience. Visitors can expect an intimate yet grandiose experience that resonates with cultural and personal reflection.
Yukinori Yanagi at Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, Milan Dates: 27 March – 27 July 2025
A pioneer in challenging political and social constructs, Yukinori Yanagi transforms the industrial space of Pirelli Hangar Bicocca into a dynamic platform for dialogue. Renowned for his World Flag Ant Farm Project, Yanagi examines sovereignty, globalisation, and the reimagining of national symbols. This exhibition, blending iconic and new works, redefines boundaries between art, identity, and activism.
Yanagi’s installations embody a provocative spirit, encouraging viewers to question entrenched narratives while appreciating the transformative power of art.
Anselm Kiefer at Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam Dates: 7 April – 9 June 2025
In a groundbreaking collaboration between the Stedelijk and Van Gogh Museum, this retrospective of Anselm Kiefer juxtaposes his neo-expressionist oeuvre with Van Gogh’s legacy. Kiefer’s work, steeped in German history, mythology, and cultural allusions, delves into themes of destruction, memory, and renewal.
The exhibition not only showcases Kiefer’s distinct artistic voice but also invites visitors to trace parallels between his perspective and Van Gogh’s emotive intensity. The dual presentation underscores the enduring dialogue between historical introspection and contemporary relevance.
Klára Hosnedlová at Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin Dates: 1 May – 26 October 2025
Klára Hosnedlová transforms the iconic Hamburger Bahnhof into an imaginative landscape of utopian ideals. Drawing inspiration from post-communist architecture and the cultural memory of Czech borderlands, the artist presents large-scale tapestries, reliefs, and sculptures crafted from linen, sandstone, and metal.
Her installations probe the intersection of memory, home, and societal transformation, weaving an intricate narrative that reflects her generation’s reinterpretation of history. This exhibition stands as her most ambitious project to date, embodying a bold vision of the past and future.
Lygia Clark at Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin Dates: 23 May – 12 October 2025
Lygia Clark’s pioneering works come alive in this comprehensive retrospective at Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie. A luminary of the Neo-Concrete Movement, Clark redefined the boundaries of art by prioritising sensory and emotional engagement over traditional forms.
The exhibition revisits her groundbreaking participatory objects, where viewers become integral to the artistic process. Reconstructed for this event, these interactive pieces blur the lines between spectator and creator, echoing Clark’s philosophy of art as a therapeutic, immersive experience.
Kaari Upson at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark Dates: 27 May – 26 October 2025
The posthumous retrospective of Kaari Upson celebrates her profound exploration of identity, loss, and the human psyche. Spanning mediums such as sculpture, film, and performance, Upson’s oeuvre bridges the personal and the universal.
Her Larry Project series, delving into collective memory through fictional characters, epitomises her nuanced storytelling. This exhibition serves as both a tribute to her artistic legacy and a poignant reminder of the enduring power of vulnerability in art.
Wolfgang Tillmans at Centre Pompidou, Paris Dates: 12 June – 22 September 2025
Centre Pompidou bids farewell to its iconic structure before a five-year restoration with Wolfgang Tillmans’ latest exhibition. This monumental showcase explores the dissemination and reception of knowledge in an ever-evolving world.
Using over 6,000 square metres of library space, Tillmans crafts an immersive experience that encapsulates his quest for a more compassionate, connected existence. This exhibition encapsulates the essence of Pompidou’s ethos, making it an unmissable chapter in its storied history.
Rendezvous of Dreams at Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg Dates: 13 June – 12 October 2025
This reimagined exhibition bridges the realms of Surrealism and German Romanticism, featuring over 140 masterpieces. Works by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst share space with German Romanticist icons, fostering a dialogue between two transformative movements.
The exhibition highlights the enduring influence of surrealist imagination and romanticist introspection on contemporary thought. It’s a rendezvous of artistic dreams and historical narratives.
Leonora Carrington at Palazzo Reale, Milan Dates: September 2025 – January 2026
Milan hosts the first Italian retrospective of Leonora Carrington, a surrealist icon who defied convention. Her work, influenced by her tumultuous journey through England, France, and Mexico, reflects themes of resilience, mysticism, and transformation.
This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Carrington’s enigmatic world, celebrating her as a trailblazer in both art and life.
With such a diverse array of exhibitions, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for the global art scene. From Paris to Berlin, these events promise to inspire, provoke, and captivate audiences, solidifying Europe’s status as the epicentre of cultural innovation. Let the journey begin.
