Now that the pubs are open, we should probably start planning some other extra-curricular activities that don’t include double shots of pink gin. Seeing as the next year is chock-full of eye-catching artistic splendour, from Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms to a retrospective on the work of queer photographer Sunil Gupta, we thought we’d list some of the best exhibitions to catch when galleries finally reopen, an art guide if you will…

What: From Here to Eternity: Sunil Gupta. A Retrospective
Where: The Photographer’s Gallery
When: May 17th – May 31st
From Here to Eternity is the UK’s first major retrospective of UK-based photographer, Sunil Gupta – so your attendance is literally like making history when you think about it. Born in New Delhi, India in 1953, the multi-faceted photographer has seen and done it all, offering a unique, layered and transcontinental view of what it means to be an Indian gay man.

What: The Met Gala: American Fashion
Where: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
When: September 13th AND the 1st Monday in May (2022)
Besides being a highly-publicised, very rich, and extremely well-fashioned launch party, sometimes we forget that, actually, there is a point to this legendary event. This year curator Andrew Bolton, alongside the formidable Anna Wintour, decided to look back on America’s own impact in the world, honouring some of the countries most impactful designers for the occasion. We’ve gathered all we know about the pending festivities here.

What: Alice – Curiouser and Curiouser
Where: Victoria & Albert Museum
When: May 22nd
From tributes by the likes of the Royal Ballet and Vivienne Westwood, this exhibition explores the origins, adaptations and many, many reinventions of Lewis Caroll’s seminal story over its 157-year reign. Expect immersive theatrics and striking set-ups galore – hopefully we get a shout out, for obvious reasons…

What: Claudia Andujar – The Yanomami Struggle
Where: The Barbican Centre
When: June 17th – August 29th
This exhibition charts the life and work of photographer Claudia Andujar, spotlighting her collaboration with the Yanomami, one of Brazil’s largest indigenous peoples. With over 200 photographs, an audio-visual installation and a series of drawings of the tribe, the endeavour details Andujar’s grappling with an entirely new culture, the dangers the tribe are subjected to on a daily basis and the many threats that have been made to their territory. This is 100% not to be missed…

What: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms
Where: The Tate Modern
When: Dates announced in Spring
Yes, you too can FINALLY get a snap beside the infamous infinity mirror, or the Japanese artist’s legendary universe of rotating chandeliers. Kusama has even given out some pictures for the occasion, some never seen before by the public. We suggest getting on this one pretty quickly, anyone wanting to attend her last endeavour at the Victoria Miro gallery knows just how hard it is to acquire tickets!

What: ‘Francis Bacon: Man and Beast’ at the Royal Academy of Art
Where: Royal Academy of Art
When: Now postponed till Jan 29th – April 17th 2022 (get planning!)
You already know that this Francis Bacon exhibit is gonna mess with your head, but in the best possible way of course. The peculiar painter has been unsettling his critics for the better part of a century, and with the forthcoming Man and Beast exhibition at the RCA, expect to see some of his best and truly harrowing pieces in all their glory.