Autumn is a time when Thanet slows right down, as the summer visitors leave it becomes a more relaxed and laid back place to spend time. Whether it's visiting exhibitions and galleries, exploring Thanet’s heritage, wandering along the coastline and enjoying the crisp sea air or enjoying award winning food in one of our many restaurants.
Perched right on Margate's seafront where world-famous skies inspired JMW Turner himself, Turner Contemporary provides the perfect setting to enjoy world class art.
From Saturday 3 October Turner Contemporary presents Sophie Calle: Something Missing? (3 October 2026 – 24 January 2027), the internationally renowned artist’s first UK institutional exhibition since 2009. Whether you are a lifelong art lover or simply looking for an inspiring experience by the sea, this exhibition promises a deeply moving, poetic, and fascinating visit.
Exploring Love, Loss, and Human Experience
Bringing together key photography, video, and installation works spanning nearly four decades (1986–2024), Calle tackles the big questions of life—from love and longing to guilt, fear, and memory. At the center of her work is the theme of absence and the things that are missing. Through her signature blend of personal photography and captivating first-person storytelling, Calle steps into the shoes of a detective, sociologist, and storyteller all at once.
Highlights of the exhibition include:
- Voir la Mer (2011): A breathtaking multichannel video installation capturing residents of Istanbul seeing the sea for the very first time.
- The Blind (1986): A poignant series where Calle invited people born without sight to describe their idea of beauty.
- On the Hunt (2017–2024): A fascinating record of romantic desire tracking personal ads from 1895 through to modern Tinder messages.
- Purloined (Turner) (1998–2013): A compelling exploration of stolen Turner masterpieces based on memories shared by museum staff.
- Catalogue Raisonné of the Unfinished (2023): A reflective series celebrating abandoned ideas and unfinished attempts, giving new life to artist intentions.
Portrait of Sophie Calle, 2026. Photo Rasmus Quistgaard - Louisiana Channel
Explore More Galleries
Margate's wider art scene continues to thrive and there is plenty to see. Explore exhibitions at Joseph Wales Studios, TKE Studios and Lido Stores. Visit Carl Freedman’s Margate HQ, spanning 10,000 square feet and includes three exhibition spaces plus many more galleries exhibiting a broad range of work.
If street art is your passion, don't miss the striking Rise Up Residency murals dotted around the town. Featuring magnificent large-scale artworks by 17 local and international artists, each piece carries an inspiring message designed to raise awareness about ocean conservation and combat plastic pollution.
Don't forget to check out Tracey Emin's pink neon public artwork, "I Never Stopped Loving You," installed on the facade of the Visitor Information Centre (Droit House) on the Harbour Arm.
Rise Up Residency Mural
Why not make a weekend of it?
A visit to immerse yourself in Margate's fantastic art scene pairs wonderfully with crisp coastal walks, time exploring Margate Old Town's independent shops and galleries, or enjoying the vibrant food and drink scene. There are so many places to stay in Margate and across Thanet, from boutique to cheap and cheerful, check them out here.
