Kerry James Marshall: The Histories at Royal Academy London
The Royal Academy celebrates Kerry James Marshall’s birthday with over 70 works in Kerry James Marshall: The Histories, making this exhibition the largest survey of his art in Europe. Showcasing pieces from each phase of his extensive career starting in 1980, the Royal Academy offers a rare opportunity to see a master’s work, drawing on compositions from Western art history to explore and challenge conventions. Combining science fiction, Afrofuturism, and contemporary culture, Marshall’s impressive works reframe the Western art canon by considering the everyday experiences of Black lives, often placing these scenes alongside those of the European greats. Through large-scale portraits and landscapes, these works reflect on histories that have shaped social memory and offer insights into hopeful futures or alternative paths, that may not always be what’s desirable. With this exhibition Kerry James Marshall cements his reputation as one of the world’s leading contemporary artists. The exhibition is open from September 20 to January 18, 2026.
Image credit: Gallery view of Kerry James Marshall: The Histories at the Royal Academy of Arts, London 2025. © Kerry James Marshall. Photo: © Royal Academy of Arts, London / David Parry
