Camden Council is proud to present Lancelot Ribeiro: A Retrospective Revisited, a major exhibition celebrating the life and work of one of Britain’s most distinctive modern artists, at Swiss Cottage Gallery from 1 July to 6 August 2026.
Held in the same venue that hosted Ribeiro’s landmark retrospective in 1987, the exhibition brings the artist’s work back to Camden nearly four decades later, offering residents and visitors a renewed opportunity to engage with his powerful artistic legacy.
Launching Camden’s South Asian Heritage Month programme, the exhibition explores themes of migration, identity, memory and belonging that shaped Ribeiro’s practice and continue to resonate with audiences today. Through a selection of works spanning his remarkable career, visitors will discover an artist whose bold abstractions and expressive visual language bridged cultures and experiences.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Culture, said:
“We’re delighted to bring the work of Lancelot Ribeiro back to Swiss Cottage Gallery, in the library where his groundbreaking retrospective was first shown almost 40 years ago. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a hugely influential artist whose work explored identity, movement and belonging across cultures.
“As part of South Asian Heritage Month, it also reflects Camden’s commitment to recognising and celebrating the diverse communities that make our borough such a vibrant place to live. We want everyone to feel a sense of pride in their heritage and to have opportunities to engage with the rich cultural stories that shape Camden today.”
Born in Bombay, Ribeiro first came to London to study accountancy. However, his passion for art soon took over and he abandoned accountancy for life drawing classes at St Martin’s School of Art, now located in Camden. Ribeiro became an important voice in post-war British art. A Retrospective Revisited honours both a significant moment in the artist’s history and his enduring contribution to British and South Asian artistic heritage.
Ribeiro’s daughter, Marsha Ribeiro, said:
“I am thrilled that Camden are honouring my father’s personal and artistic journey from Bombay to NW3 – with this return to Swiss Cottage. As a long-time Belsize resident, this was not just the place of our cherished home but a thriving, vibrant and diverse area which brought him early recognition. It is therefore deeply poignant that his legacy is being celebrated as part of South Asian Heritage Month.”
The exhibition forms part of Camden’s wider South Asian Heritage Month programme, now in its fourth year, and kickstarts a month of cultural celebrations across the borough. Bringing together local communities, artists, historians, performers and cultural organisations, the programme celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of South Asian communities through exhibitions, talks, food events, film screenings and live performances, creating opportunities for people to connect, learn and celebrate together.
Other highlights include South Asian Flavours, a talk with Dr Alia Amir followed by a food tasting and guided walk along Drummond Street exploring the culinary heritage of British South Asian communities; Camden Mela, a free celebration of South Asian culture featuring live music, dance and family activities; and a mural at Chadswell Healthy Living Centre, created by artist and curator Bablu Miah of Trapped in Zone One in collaboration with Camden’s Bangladeshi community, celebrating their stories, cultural heritage and deep connections to the borough.
For more information on the Lancelot Ribeiro: A Retrospective Revisited exhibition and the full South Asian Heritage Month programme visit lovecamden.org/south-asian-heritage-month