A Tracey Emin 40-Year Retrospective Is Coming To Tate Modern

Tate has announced its 2026 exhibition programme, which includes a special 40 year celebration of Tracey Emin’s career, an exploration of Frida Kahlo’s enduring influence, and a major retrospective of James McNeill Whistler. Visitors can also expect exhibitions on Ana Mendieta, Duncan Grant, and a dive into the 1990s art scene. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss out…

What’s On At The Tate & Tate Modern In 2026?

Tracey Emin Exhibition

26 February 2-26 – 31 August 2026 at the Tate Modern

2026 kicks off at Tate Modern with a landmark exhibition spanning 40 years of Tracey Emin’s provocative career. The show will showcase Emin’s career-defining works alongside never-before-exhibited material, celebrating her raw and confessional art. The exhibition will delve into themes of love, trauma, and autobiography through various artistic mediums.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1, 1871
Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France

James McNeill Whistler Retrospective

21 May 2026 – 27 September 2026 at Tate Britain

Tate Britain will host the largest European retrospective of James McNeill Whistler in 30 years. The exhibition will bring together the artist’s world-famous paintings with rarely seen and never-before-exhibited works, including portraits, drawings, prints, and designs. tate.org.uk

Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon

25 June 2026 – 4 January 2027 at the Tate Modern

There will be an in-depth exploration of Frida Kahlo’s transformation into one of the most influential artists of modern times and a cultural icon at the Tate Modern opening summer 2026. The exhibition will display Kahlo’s best-known paintings alongside photographs and memorabilia from her archives. tate.org.uk

Juergen Teller, Young Pink Kate, London 1998 © Juergen Teller, All rights Reserved

The 90s

1 October 2026 – 14 February 2027 at Tate Britain

A huge celebration of all things 90s, curated by Edward Enninful OBE, will be heading to Tate Brtain in autumn 2026. It will offer a thrilling journey through the seminal decade that reshaped British culture. “The 90s” will feature iconic images from photographers like Juergen Teller and Corrine Day, alongside works by artists such as Damien Hirst, Gillian Wearing, and Yinka Shonibare. The exhibition will also showcase fashion items from influential designers including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Hussein Chalayan. tate.org.uk

Ana Mendieta

9 July 2026 – 10 January 2027 at Tate Modern

Tate Modern will present an exhibition dedicated to Ana Mendieta, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and relationships with nature. The show will bring together Mendieta’s iconic film and photographic works, as well as installations never before seen in the UK. tate.org.uk

Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant

12 November 2026 – 11 April 2027 at Tate Britain

This exhibition at Tate Britain will explore the 50-year relationship and creative partnership between two celebrated modern British artists. Featuring over 250 works, including portraits, still lives, landscapes, and decorative pieces, the show will also include a unique restaging of Duncan Grant’s studio, relocated from his Sussex home, Charleston. tate.org.uk

Around The UK

Tate St Ives 

Tate St Ives will showcase two significant exhibitions in 2026. Aleksandra Kasuba’s six-decade career, spanning paintings to architectural designs, will be explored, highlighting her nature-inspired work. Later, a comprehensive survey of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham’s art will feature 170 pieces, tracing her artistic journey from Edinburgh to St Ives and beyond.

Tate Liverpool 

Tate Liverpool is undergoing a major transformation, with the gallery temporarily relocated to RIBA North during construction. When it reopens in 2027, the reimagined space will feature new galleries, including a ground-floor art hall for large-scale installations, and public areas with Mersey views.