The Hayward Gallery, part of Southbank Centre, will reopen five days a week

After more than 20 weeks closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Hayward Gallery, part of Southbank Centre, will reopen five days a week. From August 1, the gallery will open to the public offering free entry to NHS workers and £5 tickets for under 30s and Lambeth residents.

The gallery will open with Among the Trees, an exhibition that was set to run before the gallery had to close Among the Trees celebrates key works of art that reimagine how we think about trees and forests.

The exhibition illuminates the beauty of trees and provokes thinking about their cultural symbolism and how they behave as living organisms. It is a celebration of trees and their enduring resonance as a source of inspiration for some of the most compelling contemporary artists of our time. Spanning the past 50 years, the exhibition brings together major works by 37 leading artists from across the globe.

Ralph Rugoff, director of the Hayward Gallery said: “Nature has played a large part in our lives throughout the pandemic, and I am delighted that the public will once again have the opportunity to see this exhibition of inspiring works by 37 artists, all of which invite us to think about the inspiring roles that trees and forests play in our lives and imaginations.

“Our staff have worked hard to ensure that reopening the Hayward Gallery is first and foremost safe, but also that viewing the works remains a deeply engaging and delightful experience.

“Both art and nature can play a vital role in our sense of well-being, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the public back into the gallery.”

The new health and safety guidelines include operating at a reduced capacity with timed entry slots, only accepting tickets that have been pre-booked online, a one-way system from entry to exit, physical distancing measures throughout the building, enhanced and regular cleaning procedures and hand sanitiser stations for visitors and staff.

The Hayward Gallery strongly encourages visitors to wear their own face coverings.

(Picture: Linda Nylind) – Installation view of Among the Trees, Hayward Gallery, 2020