🔗 Share this article

From old masters to contemporary icons, modern visionaries alongside a renowned Latin American film-maker, galleries as well as galleries across the United States are preparing some spectacular shows coming up for 2026.

The Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein

First revealed all the way back during 2023, now just a placeholder listing at The Whitney’s website, this expansive survey of one of the central creators of the Pop Art era carries some pretty heavy anticipation. The institution plans to utilize its long-held collection of nearly 500 works from Lichtenstein, in addition to, presumably, dozens borrowed works from collections around the world. TBD 2026.

Drawn to Venice and Monet and Venice

Bay Area sister institutions, the Legion of Honor along with deYoung, will be centering the Floating City through two interconnected exhibitions: the former museum presents a exploration of the city as an engine of artistic inspiration throughout the centuries, while the other zooms in on what the Impressionist Claude Monet made of the romantic city of canals. The artist felt intimidated by the challenge of painting Venice – a subject that had captivated the most revered artists for hundreds of years – but he eventually rose to the task, producing approximately 37 canvases, including the renowned work *The Grand Canal*. Winter through Summer and 21 March-26 July.

Alejandro G Iñárritu's *Sueño Perro*: A Cinematic Resurrection

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking first feature, *Amores Perros*, director Alejandro G Iñárritu returns to more than 1m ft of film that was left out into the released movie, crafting an art installation that doubles as a love letter to celluloid. Accounts suggest Iñárritu dug deep into the vaults to create what he described as “a rebirth, not merely a tribute” of a cherished films. It's possible the exhibit will instil some of the hope that runs through Iñárritu’s film despite the pain he also chronicles. 22 February-26 July.

The Sculptural World of Carol Bove

A major New York museum is dedicating the multidisciplinary sculpture and installation artist a major career survey, beginning with her early works and progressing through to a fresh collection of works fashioned from found metal and industrial materials. Inspired by “the 60s” and minimalism, Bove often sources her components directly from the urban landscape, creating fascinating and strange constructions that have been displayed in some of the country’s most notable venues. With significant exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo, her thirty years of work are ready for a thorough survey. 5 March–2 August.

Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color

Those familiar with the book *The Body Keeps the Score* may recognize French master Henri Matisse’s cut-out *Icarus* – this is actually one of 20 paper compositions that he combined with text and bound into a volume titled *Jazz* in 1947. In the coming season, a Midwestern museum will display the complete set of Matisse’s preparatory models – an unprecedented exhibition after the museum obtained the works in 1948 – plus some 50 additional pieces by the artist. These creations represented a prolific final chapter for Matisse. March through early Summer.

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

Italian master painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino stood alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo as the celebrated titans of Renaissance Italy – yet he has rarely been honored with a large-scale exhibition on US soil. New York’s Metropolitan Museum seeks to change that with this massive exhibition. Raphael is famous for iconic works like his *Sistine Madonna* and *The School of Athens*. Featuring loans from all across Europe and over 200 works total, this promises to be a major event. Late March through June.

Shu Lea Cheang's *Lover Love*: An Interactive Vision

NYC’s queer art museum will host a significant and immersive film-based work by Taiwanese-American artist and director Shu Lea Cheang, a prominent voice in new media art. As with most of her work, Cheang in this piece explores the daily struggles of trans life. The installation is designed as a very engaging piece, with visitors invited to play around with the multiple movable screens that show the core footage. Spring 2026 through early 2027.

Leilah Babirye: Reclamation and Defiance

A Boston contemporary art center will feature recent creations from this artist, who was forced to flee her native Uganda after being outed as a lesbian in 2015. Babirye is recognized for transforming discarded objects to make intricate, queer-themed sculptures. The show showcases recent pieces based on the concept of queer weddings. It extends her ongoing project of using reclaimed materials as a symbolic act of defiance. 27 August–18 January 2027.

Taking Back Our Space

Building on the foundational research of west German feminist photographer Marianne Wex, who analyzed how men and women are socialized to use physical space differently, this exhibition examines how non-verbal communication shapes unconscious interaction. Wex’s studies included art as old as ancient sculptures. Here, Wex’s explorations are displayed and put into conversation with the work of modern Black, queer, and feminist artists. 20 September–Spring 2027.

And more …

In February, the Seattle Art Museum celebrates the evocative silhouette art of Samantha Yun Wall. Starting 5 March, a prominent gallery is highlighting the work of up and coming artist an innovative creator. In the summer months, the Crystal Bridges Museum reexamines iconic pop artist Keith Haring through a show of his sculptural works. In September, the Detroit Institute of Arts presents a selection of the artist's architectural studies. And also in September, the Phoenix Art Museum displays the vibrant work of South Korean painter Kim Chong Hak.