Five must-see London exhibitions in December 2017

The festive season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in London except shopping and drinking mulled wine. On the contrary, the capital is full of art this month, from the charming illustrations of Winnie-the-Pooh to an investigation into the idea of creating art from life at the Royal Academy. Here are our December highlights.

Home for Christmas by Alan Kane at Tate Britain

Finally, for some festive cheer head down to Tate Britain, where Alan Kane has installed a new commission on the building’s neoclassical facade. Kane’s practice often incorporates found or readymade objects, and this year he’s taken it a step further and created his installation solely out of off-the-shelf Christmas lights and decorations, as a tribute to the everyday creativity people apply to their homes during the Christmas season.

Home for Christmas by Alan Kane is at Tate Britain from 1^st December 2017 until 6^th January 2018. For further information visit the Tate website here.

ISelf Collection: The Upset Bucket at Whitechapel Gallery

This exhibition is part of the Whitechapel’s ongoing commitment to showcasing important works from private collections, offering a great chance to see pieces that are rarely on show. The Upset Bucket explores how people shape a sense of self through their relationship with others and through the material world, and features works by artists including Ai WeiWei, Mona Hatoum, Wolfgang Tillmans and more.

ISelf Collection: The Upset Bucket is at Whitechapel Gallery from 5^th December 2017 until 1^st April 2018. For further information visit the Whitechapel Gallery website here.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic at the V&A

Celebrating the much-loved bear created by AA Milne and EH Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic looks at Pooh’s universal appeal and incredible longevity. With interactive exhibits and installations as well as original sketches, letters and photographs, this exhibition is bound to be a hit with people of all ages. Kids go free as well, so it’s a good choice for the Christmas holidays.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is at the V&A from 9^th December 2017 until 8^th April 2018. For further information or to book visit the V&A website here.

From Life at the Royal Academy of Arts

This exhibition is a special project devised by the Royal Academy in advance of their 250 year anniversary celebrations. From Life will look at the practice and process of making art from life, drawing on the RA collection and on pieces by current academicians. Starting with 18^th-century works and ending in the present day, the show will offer an overview of the subject featuring work by Lucien Freud and Jenny Saville, and ends with a futuristic virtual reality experience.

From Life is at the Royal Academy of Arts from 11^th December 2017 until 11^th March 2018. For further information or to book visit the Royal Academy of Arts website here.

Abba: Super Troupers at Southbank Centre

Everyone loves a bit of Abba. This Christmas, head down to Southbank Centre to immerse yourself in crazy costumes and catchy tunes, and get close to never-before-seen items from the band’s archive including personal notes and memorabilia. Each visit is complemented by a voice-over from Jarvis Cocker.

Abba: Super Troupers is at Southbank Centre from 14^th December 2017 until 29^th April 2018. For further information or to book visit the Southbank Centre website here.

Anna Souter