Art and Place: Sussex’s Cultural Landscape This Summer

Sussex continues to be a destination for thoughtful and engaging contemporary art, with a strong line-up of exhibitions across its galleries for the summer months. From major retrospectives to new commissions, the region’s museums and art spaces offer a diverse programme that reflects both local heritage and international perspectives. Here’s a guide to what’s currently on view and what’s coming up—from Eastbourne to Hastings, Ditchling to Lewes.

Inventing Post-Impressionism: Works from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Step into the legacy of Roger Fry and the Bloomsbury Group with this landmark exhibition revisiting the revolutionary Grafton Galleries shows of 1910 and 1912. Featuring masterpieces by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir and Pissarro, this show explores the seismic impact of post-impressionism on British art. A rare opportunity to see works from Charleston’s collection alongside treasures from the Barber Institute. Charleston in Firle, until 1 October.

Izumi Kato

In his first UK institutional exhibition, Japanese artist Izumi Kato presents a hauntingly beautiful collection of paintings and sculptures that blur the boundaries between ancient myth and futuristic vision. His enigmatic figures, often rendered in vivid colour and organic forms, invite viewers into a world both familiar and otherworldly. Charleston in Firle, until 2 November.

Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour

Rediscover one of Britain’s most pioneering modernists in this expansive exhibition celebrating Vanessa Bell’s multifaceted creativity. From bold paintings to textiles and ceramics, Bell’s work is presented in a vibrant showcase that repositions her as a radical force in 20th-century art. Charleston in Lewis, until 21 September.

Koak: The Window Set

San Francisco-based artist Koak brings emotionally charged portraits and immersive installations to Charleston in her first UK solo show. Her work explores identity, vulnerability and the female gaze, creating a contemporary dialogue with the Bloomsbury legacy. Charleston in Lewis, until 21 September.

Allan Weber: My Order

In this site-specific installation, Brazilian artist Allan Weber transforms everyday urban materials into poetic reflections on invisible labour and global economies. His sculptural and photographic works respond to the Pavilion’s architecture and seafront views, creating a dynamic interplay between art and environment. De La Warr Pavilion, until 14 September.

Claudia Alarcón & Silät: Tayhin

This powerful exhibition showcases handwoven textiles by Claudia Alarcón and the Silät collective of Wichí women from Argentina. Through intricate materials and storytelling, the show celebrates indigenous creativity and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations. De La Warr Pavilion, until 14 September.

It Takes a Village

Opening this summer, It Takes a Village reimagines Ditchling’s rich artistic legacy through over 20,000 objects from the museum’s collection. With fresh perspectives on rarely seen works by Ethel Mairet, Eric Gill, Joseph Cribb, David Jones and Amy Sawyer, the exhibition invites visitors to discover untold stories and contribute their own. A celebration of community, creativity and craft. Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, opens 5 July – 1 February 2026.

Undersea

Dive into a mesmerising world beneath the waves in this expansive exhibition curated by James Russell. Featuring over 75 works spanning four centuries, from Aboriginal bark paintings to surreal mermaid portraits, Undersea explores myths, marine life and the mysteries of the deep. Hastings Contemporary, 14 September.

The Sun Feeds the Wind

Created in collaboration with the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, this immersive installation blends oral histories, soundscapes and video projections to tell the story of one of Europe’s oldest beach-launched fishing fleets. A moving tribute to community, resilience and the sea. Hastings Contemporary, 14 September.

Andy Warhol: My True Story

Curated by Jean Wainwright, this intimate exhibition reveals the private side of pop icon Andy Warhol. Through rare drawings, photographs, films and memorabilia, visitors encounter Warhol not just as a cultural figure, but as a collector, observer and son. Contemporary works by artists inspired by Warhol add further layers to this deeply personal show. Newlands House Gallery, until 14 September.

Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists

Bringing together over 130 works, this major exhibition explores artistic relationships and identity through portraits spanning 125 years. Featuring paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture, the show captures the unique gaze between creative peers and the mutual influence that shapes their work. Pallant House Gallery, until 2 November.

Sussex Modernism

A vibrant exhibition that explores how artists responded to the crises of their time through modernist movements rooted in Sussex. Featuring fine art, counterculture and pop, this show celebrates the region’s rich artistic heritage and its ongoing influence. Towner Eastbourne, until 28 September.

Paule Vézelay: Living Lines

The first major exhibition of Paule Vézelay’s work in over four decades, this show traces her journey from surrealism to abstraction. With a focus on line, rhythm and form, Vézelay’s art is presented in a fresh light, revealing her as a key figure in British modernism. Towner Eastbourne, until 31 August.

Discover more Sussex art galleries.