White Cube Announces Raqib Shaw's First Major UK Exhibition in Over a Decade at Compton Verney
The Facts
On July 14, 2026, White Cube announced that Raqib Shaw's exhibition 'Night Sonnets' will open at Compton Verney in Warwickshire, UK, on September 19, 2026, and run through February 21, 2027. The show marks the artist's first major UK exhibition in more than ten years, bringing together a selection of paintings that explore his longstanding interest in moonlight and the night. Shaw's fascination with night derives from his childhood in Kashmir, poetry by Habba Khatoon, and his affinity with Ludwig II of Bavaria, the 'Moon King', and also shapes his studio practice of working after dark.
The Signal
The exhibition signals a significant return for Shaw to the UK institutional scene after a decade, offering collectors and curators a focused view of his luminous, intricately detailed nocturnal paintings. By centering on Shaw's enduring poetic and cultural references, the presentation deepens understanding of his practice beyond the market-driven frenzy of his auction records. For followers of contemporary painting, 'Night Sonnets' at Compton Verney—a historic estate turned museum—positions Shaw within a broader dialogue between contemporary art and heritage settings.
- Artists: Raqib Shaw
- People: Raqib Shaw, Habba Khatoon, Ludwig II of Bavaria
- Galleries: White Cube
- Museums: Compton Verney
- Locations: Warwickshire
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