New Contemporaries, South London Gallery 2026. Installation photo by Oli Cowling.
★★★★ – The Telegraph
New Contemporaries, the leading organisation supporting early career and emerging artists in the UK, presents its annual group exhibition showcasing 26 artists selected through an open call by Pio Abad, Louise Giovanelli and Grace Ndiritu.
The artists engage with dystopian futures; critical responses to the climate crisis, gentrification, experiences of displacement and systems of power. They explore our relationships and connections with each other, our ancestors, and digital technologies across time and geographical borders.
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.
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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. They do this with advice, introductions, opportunities, exhibitions, mentoring. They partner with major institutions such as the Institute of Contemporary Arts, MIMA Middlesbrough and the South London Gallery. Every year they 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 2026 will also travel 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, 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.
- Sensory packs are available to help you explore some of the art works. Please ask a member of staff.
CONTENT GUIDANCE
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In the Main Gallery, one of the video works contains animated nude figures.
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In Fire Station Gallery 4, the film work has flashing and strobe affects. It includes depictions of assault, forced restraint and strangulation. It also addresses mentla illness and specifically focuses on violence towards Black men. These images may be distressing.
