Five London exhibitions not to miss this spring

With spring having begun and the sun starting to shine, strolling to our favourite London galleries will become all the more appealing. Here is a round-up of some of the most thrilling exhibitions set to take place as we head towards those glorious summer months.

Mona Hatoum at Tate Modern
Beirut-born artist Mona Hatoum unveils the first major survey of her 35-year career in May. Highlights such as Hot Spot (a steel cage-like neon globe that buzzes with an intense energy), create a challenging vision of our world. Elsewhere, electricity crackles through household objects, giving the familiar a supernatural feel.

Mona Hatoum is on at Tate Modern from 4^th May until 21^st August 2016, for further information visit here.

Dutch Flowers at the National Gallery
An apt choice for the beginning of spring as the first flower shows of the season commence, Dutch Flowers presents the work of some of the leading artists in the field including Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Jan van Huysum, and Rachel Ruysch. The exhibition displays artworks bursting with colour and beautiful details. 

Dutch Flowers is on at the National Gallery from 6^th April until 29^th August 2016, for further information visit here.

Conceptual Art in Britain 1964–1979 at Tate Britain
This attention-grabbing exhibition examines a period when perceptions and approaches to art were changed. The show gathers together artists who took art beyond its traditional boundaries during the 1960s. 

Conceptual Art in Britain 1964–1979 is on at Tate Britain from 12^th April until 29^th August 2016, for further information visit here.

Georgiana Houghton: Spirit Drawings at the Courtauld Gallery
Georgiana Houghton was a Spiritualist medium who produced an astonishing series of largely abstract watercolours and declared that her hand was guided by various spirits. In 1871, Houghton rented a gallery in Bond Street and exhibited 155 of these works to a surprised London audience. Now modern audiences can experience her creativity again at the Courtauld.

Georgiana Houghton: Spirit Drawings is on at the Courtauld Gallery from 16^th June until 11^th September 2016, for further information visit here.

Ragnar Kjartansson at the Barbican
The Icelandic artist conjures up a magical collection of performances, films and paintings at the Barbican this summer. Viewers will be able to embark upon an emotional journey with Kjartansson’s work, which explores both the melancholic and cheerful sides of romance. The exhibition will be the first ever UK showcase of the internationally-acclaimed Icelandic performance artist.

Ragnar Kjartansson will be on at the Barbican from 14^th July until 4^th September 2016, for further information visit here.

Laura Ewing