Oxford, UK – Acclaimed British artist Mike Nelson will return to Modern Art Oxford this autumn with a major new exhibition opening on 3 October 2026, marking his first presentation at the gallery in more than two decades.
Developed in response to his previous exhibition at Modern Art Oxford in 2004, the new project reflects on the 22 years that have elapsed since that earlier moment. The exhibition explores the personal, political, and cultural shifts that have shaped the intervening years, creating an immersive environment that unfolds throughout the gallery spaces.
Created on-site, the exhibition combines newly developed works with reimagined elements from Nelson’s past practice. Themes of travel, memory, and displacement—long-standing concerns within the artist’s work—run throughout the installation. At the same time, the exhibition takes a more introspective turn, examining ideas of narcissism and self-portraiture through reflections on both Nelson’s artistic history and the evolving identity of the institution itself.
The exhibition also incorporates references to significant cultural and political events spanning several decades. From the idealism associated with the Woodstock era to the unrest surrounding the storming of the US Capitol, Nelson draws connections between moments of social change and political tension. Echoes of wartime experiences, including Vietnam, Iraq, and contemporary conflicts, further inform the work, prompting consideration of how ideas of protest, individualism, and collective action have evolved over time.
Rather than presenting a fixed narrative, the exhibition remains deliberately open-ended. Visitors are encouraged to navigate the space at their own pace, forming personal interpretations and connections as they encounter the work.
Mike Nelson’s return to Modern Art Oxford represents a significant moment for both the artist and the institution, revisiting a creative relationship that began more than two decades ago while offering a timely reflection on contemporary society and historical memory.
Mike Nelson at Modern Art Oxford opens on 3 October 2026.