'Kerry James Marshall: The Histories' at the Royal Academy of Arts is a major exhibition showcasing one of America's most important contemporary painters. Marshall's influential works place Black figures front and centre, rewriting history painting to include lives and stories that have long been absent from Western art. His paintings draw on art history, civil rights, comics, science fiction, and personal memory, inviting viewers to reflect on the past while imagining more optimistic futures.
The exhibition features 70 works, including the monumental 'Knowledge and Wonder (1995)', never before shown outside the US. It's the largest Marshall exhibition ever staged in Europe, offering a rare opportunity to experience the scope and ambition of his work in the UK. Running until 18 January 2026, it's an unmissable chance to see one of the most influential contemporary artists at work.