Upcoming Exhibition: Bridget Riley at Turner Contemporary

In the seaside town of Margate, Turner Contemporary has established itself as one of Britain’s most dynamic cultural institutions. Later this year, the gallery will welcome a major exhibition dedicated to Bridget Riley, one of the most influential artists of the past century. Known worldwide as a pioneer of Op Art, Riley’s work has not only reshaped the possibilities of abstraction but also challenged how we perceive the act of looking itself.

The exhibition traces the arc of Riley’s career, presenting both iconic works and lesser-seen studies. Together, they unfold like a visual symphony, demonstrating her enduring pursuit of clarity, rhythm, and the profound energy of visual perception.

Movement, Rhythm, and Colour

Riley’s contribution to art lies in her ability to distill painting into a language of pure sensation. Her early black-and-white works of the 1960s established her as a central figure in Op Art. Yet, what might appear to be mechanical precision is, in truth, the product of extraordinary sensitivity. Each line, curve, and contrast is meticulously balanced to create a dynamic field of vision that seems to move before the eye.

Fragment 4, 1965

By the late 1960s, colour entered Riley’s practice, transforming her canvases into dazzling orchestrations of hue and rhythm. Works such as her Stripe paintings immerse the viewer in sequences of colour that pulse and shift, activating perception in ways both exhilarating and meditative. These are not static paintings but environments and compositions that live and breathe in relation to the viewer.

Rose Rose, 2011

Riley's Legacy and Influence

Bridget Riley’s impact on contemporary art is immeasurable. Her commitment to exploring the essence of vision has influenced generations of artists, designers, and architects. Beyond the art world, her investigations into rhythm and colour resonate across disciplines, from fashion to digital design, underscoring the timeless relevance of her ideas.

At Turner Contemporary, her exhibition will serve as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to expand perception and heighten awareness. It is not only a celebration of Riley’s career but also an invitation to rediscover the act of seeing itself.