art-K Oxo Exhibition 2026

From Seedlings to Canopy: Discover the growth of ‘Wild at Art’ 2026 🌳

The countdown is on! This August, art-K returns to the prestigious Oxo Gallery to transform a blank space into a living, breathing ecosystem of creativity. But how does a project of this scale grow?

Explore our “moodboard” blog below to see how we’re planting the seeds for our first-ever fully immersive exhibition! art-K students will take a hands-on approach this Summer Term, collaborating to build our new, wild world. From the root of our idea to the team helping it happen: Here’s everything you need to know about art-K’s 2026 exhibition ‘Wild at Art’.

🪵 The Foundations: What is ‘Wild at Art’?

Every great tree needs solid ground. Before we pick up a paintbrush, we have to understand the environment we are creating! This year, we aren’t just hanging art on walls; we are building a world.

🦎 The Event: Wild at Art, an exhibition by art-K
📅 Dates: Wednesday 19th – Monday 31st August 2026
📍 Location: Oxo Gallery, Southbank, London

KEY TERM: What is “Immersive Art”?

Immersive art is art you can step into and explore. Instead of standing behind a rope, you become an explorer. By engaging all five senses, immersive exhibitions make art accessible and playful; statistics show that 75% of visitors have a more positive experience when they can truly engage with the display. [1]

Step into our wild world! Enjoy this exciting insight into planning from Emily, Managing Director of art-K

🌱 The Seed: The Root of Our Ideas

Where did the spark for ‘Wild at Art’ come from? We wanted to push the boundaries of our previous years:

In 2024, we explored artworks by torchlight. In 2025, we grew an evolving coral reef. For 2026, we looked to the most vibrant ecosystem on Earth: The Rainforest. Inspired by the scale of the Eden Project and the interactive light of Shifting Landscapes, we realised that the rainforest perfectly mirrors art-K’s core values of Connection, Sharing, and Education.

Our new approach means more students can take part than ever before. Here’s how!

🌿 The Shoots: A Network of Collaborating Artists

A rainforest isn’t a rainforest if there’s just one singular tree; it’s a network of plants and animals that make up an ecosystem. Similar to a rainforest, our exhibition relies on our network of artists. This is Collaborative Art: the practice of working together to create something larger than ourselves.

QUESTION: Have you ever made something as a team?

Collaborative working means artists can divide tasks and share ideas to work towards the same outcome. Collaboration involves “playing your position”, like in a football match, where different players come together to make the whole thing work. This year at Oxo, 8,000+ students will work together to become a single creative force.

An Example of Collaborative Artists: Meet Relton Marine, two artists who collaborate and exhibit under one name. Christine Relton and Tom Marine have been making paintings collaboratively since 1996. They paint together on the same canvas. [2]

Just like Relton Marine, the walls at Oxo will become our shared canvas!

🌳 The Trunk: Step Into the Vision

Oxo Visitor: “Look over here, a capybara is lurking under that tree!”

As the project grows, the vision becomes clearer! Imagine walking into the Oxo Gallery and being transported to the tropics. This is no ordinary exhibition; it’s a world built for explorers! Step into our vision for a tropical walk-through, designed to transport you into a place full of life, colour, and curiosity:

Creatures great and small are waiting to be discovered if you know where to look. You’ll have to step closer and slow down to notice them. To your left, delicate paper leaves twist into vines, camouflaging tiny bugs. Above you, the canopy comes alive with the flash of Macaw wings and hovering hummingbirds. Somewhere in the undergrowth, beyond our walk-through grotto, a tiger prowls, a crocodile waits in the stillness, and snakes slither through the vines.

This isn’t a gallery; it’s a 1,500 sq ft “Creative Tetris” challenge where over 2,500 3D artworks come together to form one wild heart.

Take a look at the first pieces of our wild puzzle!

Prototypes for ‘Wild at Art’ 2026, created by Kathryn (Creative Director and Founder) and Brittany, Central Team

🍃 The Leaves: Behind-the-Scenes Planning

The creative team is already hard at work nurturing this project.

Lucy (Creative Coordinator): “With my background in theatre, I can’t wait to transform a plain white space into a colourful jungle. It’s less gallery curation and more of an ambitious puzzle!”
Emily (Director): If you haven’t already, watch Emily’s latest video update here [LINK] to see how our creative problem-solving is bringing the rainforest to life.

🍎 The Fruit: How to Take Part

Ready to help us grow? We want artists of all ages to branch out and try something ambitious. The space is located along London’s prime cultural trail amongst the Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery and Tate Modern. Join us to exhibit at the heart of creative London!

Enrol: Ensure you are signed up for the Summer Term 2026.
Check Your Inbox: Look for the Oxo Sign-up Form sent to enrolled students.
Submit: Complete the interest form by May 22nd.
Create: Work with your teacher during the Summer Term to build your specific Oxo projects.

Let’s make the Southbank wild. Join us to help us grow art-K’s new summer exhibition!