February is already witnessing a surge of must-see art exhibitions that are reshaping the creative landscape. These exhibitions continue to inspire, challenge, and push boundaries, proving that art remains a powerful tool for cultural exploration and innovation. From the vibrant Mithila paintings of India to Leigh Bowery’s bold self-expression in London, and Shu Lea Cheang’s digital activism in Germany, each exhibition explores themes of identity, history, and artistic experimentation.
As we move further into February, don’t miss the opportunity to experience these pivotal exhibitions that are defining the cultural landscape of 2025. Whether you’re drawn to traditional artistry or avant-garde storytelling, these shows offer fresh perspectives that are redefining the art world.
Aperspectival Legacies: Oral Traditions, Dynamic Approaches
Location: Inherited Arts Forum, New Delhi, India
Dates: Until February 29, 2025
Rooted in the vibrant villages of Bihar, Mithila paintings have evolved from being festival adornments to internationally acclaimed art forms. This exhibition highlights early Mithila paintings collected between 1968-85, featuring works from pioneering female artists such as Mahasundari Devi and Jagdambaa Devi, alongside rare pieces by male artists. A tribute to India’s rich artistic legacy, this showcase offers an insightful look into the preservation and transformation of an indigenous tradition.
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Billie Zangewa: ‘Breeding Ground’ at Norval Foundation
Dates: February 19 – September 11, 2025
Location: Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai, Cape Town, 7945, South Africa
Billie Zangewa’s Breeding Ground: The Care We Give Becomes Our Breeding Ground for Life opens at the Norval Foundation this February, inviting visitors into a deeply intimate exploration of care, community, creation, and motherhood. Based in Cape Town, the Norval Foundation has been a leading institution for contemporary African art, and this exhibition is no exception. Zangewa’s distinctive hand-stitched collages, composed of vibrant silk fragments, express her nuanced approach to intersectional identity, drawing attention to the often-overlooked experiences of Black women. Through her meticulous art, Zangewa challenges the exploitation and objectification of the Black female body while exploring themes of personal and collective resilience. Curated by Anelisa Mangcu, this exhibition is a must-see for those looking to engage with the profound connections between art, identity, and social transformation.
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Shu Lea Cheang: KI
Location: Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany
Dates: February 14 – August 3, 2025
Blending cybernetic aesthetics with political critique, Shu Lea Cheang’s exhibition builds upon her groundbreaking feature film Fresh Kill to present a retrospective that is both immersive and interactive. Spanning four galleries, KI showcases three decades of net-based art, speculative storytelling, and digital activism, positioning play as a means of knowledge exchange and resistance.
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Leigh Bowery!
Location: Tate Modern, London, UK
Dates: February 27 – August 31, 2025
Tate Modern presents an immersive exhibition celebrating the life and artistry of Leigh Bowery—Australian performer, fashion designer, model, and club promoter. Known for his extravagant and boundary-pushing looks, Bowery collaborated with artists such as Michael Clark, Lucian Freud, and Nick Knight to redefine body aesthetics and self-expression. This exhibition showcases his iconic costumes, makeup, and headpieces, offering a deep dive into London’s underground creative scene and Bowery’s legacy in performance art, fashion, and queer culture.
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Salah Elmur: The Land of the SunLocation
Location: Mariane Ibrahim, Mexico City, Mexico
Dates: February 4 – May 3, 2025
Inspired by his Sudanese heritage and experiences in Kenya and Egypt, Salah Elmur’s paintings depict everyday figures—peasants, fishermen, and laborers—within a nostalgic yet deeply political framework. His use of folk motifs and luminous colors recalls Diego Rivera’s legacy, underscoring themes of postcolonial resilience and cultural memory. The Land of the Sun presents Elmur’s latest works, bridging African and Latin American artistic dialogues.
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Tau Lewis: Spirit Level
Location: David Zwirner, Los Angeles, USA
Dates: February 13 – March 29, 2025
Tau Lewis’ monumental textile sculptures evoke myths and ancestral narratives, shaping spiritual landscapes from reclaimed materials. In Spirit Level, her towering figures, exceeding three meters in height, blur the lines between history, fantasy, and Caribbean syncretism. First exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, this collection arrives in Los Angeles ahead of Frieze LA, offering a must-see meditation on memory, materiality, and migration.
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Paulo Nazareth: Patuá/Patois
Location: WIELS, Brussels, Belgium
Dates: Through April 27, 2025
Known for his nomadic practice and incisive critiques of colonial legacies, Paulo Nazareth’s work traverses sculpture, painting, and performance. From Egg of Columbus, which interrogates racialized branding in Brazil, to Blacks in the Pool, addressing exclusionary histories, Patuá/Patois turns everyday objects into vessels of resistance. This exhibition offers a compelling journey through personal and collective memory, urging viewers to reconsider the narratives embedded in ordinary artifacts.
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Whether you’re drawn to historical reverence, social activism, or avant-garde experimentation, these exhibitions provide an unmissable cultural experience in 2025.
To see the best art exhibitions around the world in 2025, visit here.
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