New Contemporaries at South London Gallery

New Contemporaries, the leading organisation supporting early career and emerging artists in the UK, presents its annual group exhibition at South London Gallery, showcasing 26 artists selected through an open call by Pio Abad, Louise Giovanelli and Grace Ndiritu.

Works in the exhibition span painting, sculpture, installation, photography and moving image, illustrating the full breadth of artistic practice across the UK. Presented thematically , the artists' works engage with speculations on dystopian futures; critical responses to the climate crisis, industrialisation, gentrification and displacement; and critical approaches to systems of power. The exhibition also examines our inherent entanglement with digital technologies and our evolving desire to understand realities beyond human perception through other species.

Additionally, themes of mourning, remembrance and loss are explored through a range of collective and personal experiences. Some artists merge figuration with abstraction to investigate intersecting identities, cultural heritage and a desire for connection, while others draw on the familiar and the fantastical - from both urban environments to intimate domestic interiors- as constructions of selfhood and place.

The exhibition is presented in both Main Space and the Fire Station galleries at SLG.

“We have chosen a diverse range of artists from all over the UK, with a variety of mediums and points of view, that are both visually arresting and can help bring a little bit of joy and beauty into an increasingly difficult world.” – Artist selector Grace Ndiritu

NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2026 ARTISTS

Viviana Almas, Kat Anderson, Hadas Auerbach, Timon Benson, Lakshya Bhargava, William Braithwaite, River Yuhao Cao, Ali Cook, Shaun Doyle, Ally Fallon, Samantha Fellows, Alia Gargum, Oliver Getley, Makiko Harris, Manuel Alejandro Hernandez Rivera, Deborah Lerner, Gregor Petrikovič, Will Pham, Isobel Shore, Maya Silverberg, Aaron Alexander Smyth, Christopher Steenson, Varvara Uhlik, Eliza Wagener, Benjamin Waters, and Yimin Xiang.

Find out more about the artists here

Alongside the exhibition, New Contemporaries will present a series of events developed in response to the exhibiting artists’ interests. More information to follow

ABOUT NEW CONTEMPORARIES

Artists renew society. There will always be artists and new artists are everywhere. New Contemporaries have over 75 years’ experience of helping artists through the new. We do this with advice, introductions, opportunities, exhibitions, mentoring. We partner with major institutions such as the Institute of Contemporary Arts, MIMA Middlesbrough and the South London Gallery. Every year we organise a public exhibition, with work from new artists who have been selected by internationally renowned artists. Internationally renowned artists who once were also new.

New Contemporaries travel to MIMA Middlesbrough from 8 May – 16 August 2026.

The New Contemporaries Programme is generously supported by Arts Council England, Art Fund, the Emerging Artist Circle, Fenton Arts Trust, Henry Moore Foundation, Culture Ireland, TFA London and OMNI. Our 75th Anniversary Fundraiser, held in partnership with Christie’s, was made possible by the generous contributions of contemporary artists and led by our Development Committee.  

ACCESS

• The Main Gallery and Gallery 1 are well lit.
• Fire Station Galleries 2-4 have low lighting.
• Seating is available on request.
• There are film works and a kinetic sculpture in the Fire Station galleries which are loud.
• All films over 10 minutes long have seating
• Films are subtitled or have transcripts available
• The total watch length of all the films is approximately 1 hour.
• The film in Gallery 4 of the Fire Station has a content warning and is not suitable for children
• All children should be supervised during their visit. Babies and toddlers should be held or in prams.
• The quietest time to visit is generally on Wednesdays between 6 and 9 pm.
• Large print guides, magnifying glasses, ear defenders and a wheelchair are available.