A Guide to Modern Art in London

Love it or loathe it - modern art is here to stay.

And London is the undoubted capital of this artistic development in the UK. Its metropolitan scale and welcoming culture have combined to help embrace the varying styles produced by the movement.

The city is awash with galleries and artists, helping to foster an environment of true innovation and excitement. Read on to find out who you should check out and where you should go if you are visiting the city.

Tate Modern

The Tate is the undisputed champion of modern art in Britain, with around 4.7 million visitors each year making it the world's most popular gallery showcasing this style of work.

Housed in the former Bankside power station, the gallery is set across four floors with a rotating programme of permanent and temporary exhibitions. You aren't a big name in modern art if your wok hasn't been featured in the Tate, with Damien Hirst's 'For The Love Of God' and Ai Weiwei's provocative ‘Sunflower Seeds' just some of the shows that have been on display within its walls.

Currently the Tate is showing an exciting exhibition of William Klein and David Moriyama's urban photography as well as a retrospective of Norwegian master Edward Munch's work. The museum is serviced by excellent bus and underground transport links, so whether you are staying in a Heathrow airport hotel or an apartment in Aldgate it will easy to get join to check out what is happening.

Institute of Contemporary Arts

This vibrant artistic centre was established in 1947 and has been promoting modern art ever since.

Located just off Trafalgar Square on The Mall, it plays a prominent role in showcasing the best up and coming British artists as well as those from around the world. In fact the Institute even hosts an annual Beck's Futures prize to help fund emerging artists.

Bjarne Melgaard's ‘A House To Die' and Hannah Sawtell's 'Oscultaor' are just two of the engaging shows currently being exhibited in the space.

Street art

But not everything happens in galleries…

London also has a thriving street art scene, with much of the public embracing this uncensored and unconventional exhibition of work. More than just simple graffiti, street artists often use stencils, lock-on sculptures or woodblocking to get their work completed before the authorities catch them.

Banksy is the most infamous artist currently on the go but a whole new crop are gaining prominence in the city as well. If you're in London be sure to check out Camden or Leake Street to find some work by David Walker, Milo Tchais and many more - it won't cost you a thing.

What is your favourite piece of modern art?