Marseille
“Shared Passions: From Basquiat to Edith Piaf, the Lambert Collection at the Mucem”
Where: Mucem
When: April 17 - September 23
Why It’s Worth a Look: In this exhibition, a dialogue between the late gallerist Yvon Lambert's collection and the Mucem is brought forth, blending contemporary art with touchpoints of popular culture. Featured are 80 works from Lambert’s donation to the French State, including pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cy Twombly, and Nan Goldin, alongside 150 artifacts from the Mucem’s collection.
Know Before You Go: Lambert had a deep connection with Mediterranean culture and a lifelong journey in the art world, with many of his acquisitions being from artists he considered personal friends.
London
“It’s After the End of the World, Don’t You Know That Yet” by Jim Shaw
Where: Gagosian
When: April 11 - May 18
Why It’s Worth a Look: Jim Shaw’s inaugural show at Gagosian's Davies Street outpost comments on and critiques the often chaotic narratives of American pop culture, media, and consumerism. He employs a mix of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that draw influences from comic books, pulp novels, album covers, and protest posters, as well as amateur artwork.
Know Before You Go: Last year, Shaw spoke to CULTURED about his artistic process, saying, "I’m always interested in narrative. I’m not necessarily interested in all things being apparent. I want there to be things to be uncovered."
“Suspended States” by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
Where: Serpentine South Gallery
When: April 12 - September 1
Why It’s Worth a Look: In “Suspended States,” Yinka Shonibare revisits and reshapes Western iconography to explore the fluidity and tension of boundaries—be they psychological, physical, or geopolitical. The two installations presented at the Serpentine are Sanctuary City, a collection of miniature buildings symbolizing safe havens, and The War Library, containing 5,000 books wrapped in Dutch wax print fabric, each representing historical conflicts and peace efforts.
Know Before You Go: Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax print fabric nods to the complex and ongoing cultural exchanges between Africa and Europe.
Milan
“Ground Break” by Nari Ward
Where: Pirelli HangarBicocca
When: March 28 - July 28
Why It’s Worth a Look: This retrospective at Pirelli HangarBicocca brings together Ward’s large-scale installations, often rendered in found objects, and performance and video-based works. On view are several seminal works from Ward’s collaboration with Ralph Lemon on the "Geography Trilogy," offering an experience where video, sound, and sculpture interact to reflect on identity, race, and social justice.
Know Before You Go: “Ground Break” combines over three decades of work from Ward’s career, placing a number of the installations in an exhibition setting for the first time since their debut.
Berlin
“You Me” by Jill Mulleady and Henry Taylor
Where: Schinkel Pavillon
When: February 17 - May 19
Why It’s Worth a Look: “You Me” bridges the artistic output of Mulleady and Taylor, artists from different generations who share a deep commitment to painting, as well as a close friendship. This dual exhibition uses expressive figurative painting to explore the nuances of the public and private, the personal and the universal.
Know Before You Go: Alongside Mulleady's and Taylor’s works, historical pieces by Otto Dix, Marcel Duchamp, and Käthe Kollwitz are on display, creating a dialogue between past and present artistic expression.
"Caspar David Friedrich: Infinite Landscapes"
Where: Alte Nationalgalerie
When: April 19 - August 4
Why It’s Worth a Look: In celebration of the late artist’s 250th birthday, the Alte Nationalgalerie is hosting the first large-scale showcase of Friedrich's oeuvre. The exhibition features over 60 paintings and 50 drawings, including famous works such as The Sea of Ice, Chalk Cliffs on Rügen, and The Monk by the Sea.
Know Before You Go: In honor of the anniversary, a digital portal has also been created for visitors to learn more about the artist's work and life.
Munich
“Arise Alive” by Liliane Lijn
Where: Haus der Kunst
When: April 5 - September 22
Why It’s Worth a Look: With a display of sculptures, installations, and multimedia works, “Arise Alive” highlights Lijn’s exploration of surrealism, social politics, and mythology. Featured prominently are her sculptural works from the 1980s which combine technology, feminism, and organic forms to envision futuristic female archetypes.
Know Before You Go: This exhibition spans the breadth of the New York-born artist's career from her early experiments in the 1950s to her latest works.
Paris
“La Pensée Férale” by Daniel Steegmann Mangrané
Where: Mendes Wood DM and Esther Schipper
When: April 2 - May 26
Why It’s Worth a Look: Barcelona-born, Rio-based artist Daniel Steegmann Mangrané’s latest exhibition is presented across two venues in Paris, Mendes Wood DM and Esther Schipper. Both engage with themes of perception and the interconnectedness of life through sculptural and photographic works. Steegmann Mangrané uses the eye of a dog as a recurring motif, embedding the animal's gaze in sculptures made from oak bark and in broader landscapes.
Know Before You Go: At Mendes Wood DM, expect to see sculptures that reflect the ancient dialogues between human and habitat, while at Esther Schipper you can find a photographic series set in the Tijuca National Park.
Rome
“WOODEN” by Matt Browning
Where: Sant’Andrea de Scaphis
When: April 10 - May 25
Why It’s Worth a Look: “WOODEN” is American artist Matt Browning's reflective exploration of the creative process, as influenced by his mentor and former member of the Freee Art Collective, Dave Beech. Browning likens this approach to mixing a song, where no element can be completely isolated or removed but is instead adjusted to create a harmonious whole. Here, he plays with the "dials" of artistic elements like form, content, context, and materiality.
Know Before You Go: Browning’s work demonstrates a deep contemplation on how art is interwoven with social relations and how these relations in turn shape the artistic output.
