Diary

Words By Emily Martin

1 Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence

Porter Gallery, V&A South Kensington

Sick hagemeyer shop assistant as a seventies icon posing in front of the united trading company headquarters, accra, 1971 © james barnor. Courtesy of galerie clémentine de la féronnière

The V&A is staging a major architecture exhibition on the style of Tropical Modernism. It includes a film, models, drawings, letters, photos and archival ephemera documenting the key figures and moments of the movement as well as modernism’s wider role in narratives about decolonisation and the construction of national identity. www.vam.ac.uk /exhibitions

2 Summer Show 2024

Royal Academy, London

Michael craig_martin cbe ra, flowers: iris. Screenprint on somerset satin white 410gsm paper, 90 x 90 cm. Courtesy of the artist and cristea roberts gallery

British artist and Royal Academician Ann Christopher has coordinated the 256th Summer Exhibition for 2024. Each year the Royal Academy invites artists and architects to submit their work for a chance for it to feature in the world’s largest open submission contemporary art show, which has taken place every year without interruption since 1769. See the website for ticket information. www.royalacademy.org.uk

3 Serpentine Pavilion

Serpentine, South London

Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his ­irm Mass Studies have been selected to design the 23rd Pavilion. Titled Archipelagic Void, the Pavilion will consist of ­ive ‘islands’ designed around an open space, with these structures forming a constellation that shapes a singular central circular void, which will play host to both individual everyday activities as well as large collective events. www.serpentinegalleries.org

4 Now You See Us: Women Artists In Britain 1520-1920

Tate Britain, London

Olive edis, war, 1919. Wilson centre for photography

The exhibition covers the period in which women were visibly working as professional artists, but went against societal expectations to do so, and features over 100 artists that include well-known names such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Angelica Kauffman, Julia Margaret Cameron and Gwen John, alongside many others who are only now being rediscovered. www.tate.org.uk

5 Barbie: The Exhibition

The Design Museum

1961 austin healy. © mattel, inc.

This exhibition explores Barbie’s changing appearance in relation to evolving cultural shifts around diversity and representation. It will present exclusive, behind-the scenes insights into the design processes of US multinational Mattel, and will offer a detailed exploration of the Barbie doll as a technically, and also materially, innovative creation. www.designmuseum.org