A Visit to the Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2026

Last night I headed to the preview of the Society of Women Artists (SWA) Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition runs from 23–27 June 2026 and showcases an impressive 446 works. Chatting to one of the SWA members during the evening, I learned that around 200 artists are represented, with roughly half of them being non-members. It's this open-entry approach that gives the exhibition a broad and varied feel.

Walking through the galleries, my rough estimate, around 70% of the exhibition is painting, 20% printmaking and 10% sculpture and ceramics. The galleries are loosely organised into different sections, making it easier to navigate the

mix of styles and subjects. There are dedicated areas for printmaking, portraiture, landscapes, small works, young artists and more.

As with many large open exhibitions, however, space is at a premium. I felt the smaller paintings suffered a little from being crowded together on a single wall. It reminded me of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, where so many artworks compete for attention that it can be difficult to give each piece the time it deserves. The printmakers and small works seemed to draw the short straw in this respect.

One area where I would have loved to see more representation was textile art. There was just a single textile artist on display, Tessa Jane, whose Soundcloth series combines fabric, wood and paper in a tactile way. Given the strength of contemporary textile practice today, it felt like a missed opportunity not to see more work in this medium.

Whenever I visit an exhibition like this, I play a familiar game: if I had a spare wall at home and a healthy bank balance, what would I choose to take home?

This year, three works stood out to me.

Olivia Dunn, She Could Not Rest, Soft Pastel

A portrait of a young girl standing on a moor, looking directly at the viewer. Her expression has a questioning quality that immediately draws you in. It's one of those works that stays with you after you've walked away, quietly demanding another look.

Beryl Miles, Breathe, Oil and cold wax on board

This painting captures a swimmer mid-stroke, suspended in a moment of movement and concentration. On one of the hottest days of the year, the image of cool water felt especially inviting. There's something wonderfully immersive about the piece that makes you almost feel the temperature of the water yourself.

Sarah Muwanga, The Sun's Hum, Oil on canvas

This striking figurative painting depicts a woman looking downward in quiet contemplation. Her face, neck and hand are rendered with careful detail, while her clothing and the surrounding space are handled much more freely. Delicate blue lines weave through the composition, connecting the various elements and creating a subtle rhythm that holds the painting together beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the SWA Annual Exhibition offers an enjoyable snapshot of contemporary work by women artists at different stages of their careers. The open-entry format creates an engaging mix of established artists and emerging voices, ensuring there's always something unexpected to discover.

While some areas inevitably feel a little crowded, that's a small price to pay for the opportunity to see such a wide variety of work under one roof. If you enjoy contemporary painting, printmaking & sculpture , there's plenty here to see.

Visitor Information

Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2026

Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1

Open to the public: 23–27 June 2026

Admission: £5