New Contemporaries Live: Makiko Harris, SLG Camberwell 2026

Key Points

• New Contemporaries Live event scheduled for Saturday 11th April 2026, from 2pm to 5pm at South London Gallery in Camberwell.
• Features spoken word, performance, live music, and choreographed works from artists in the New Contemporaries 2026 exhibition.
• Exhibition on view at South London Gallery until 12th April 2026, then travels to MIMA from 8th May 2026.
• Makiko Harris, one of 26 selected artists, performs Needle Dance Live – the first live translation of her sculptural work.
• Makiko Harris recently named “One to Watch” by the Evening Standard.
• Her Sentinel sculpture from the Needle Dance series is currently presented at the exhibition.
• Needle Dance explores themes of fate, femininity, and invisible structures shaping human experience.
• Live performance includes four dancers, monumental needle sculptures, custom rope costumes, and Makiko’s live violin score.
• Event brings together 26 artists selected for New Contemporaries 2026.

Camberwell (South London News) April 6, 2026 – The South London Gallery in Camberwell will host New Contemporaries Live on Saturday 11th April 2026, from 2pm to 5pm, showcasing spoken word, performance, live music, and choreographed works by artists from this year’s New Contemporaries 2026 exhibition. Among the highlights, Makiko Harris, recently named a “One to Watch” by the Evening Standard, will present the premiere of Needle Dance Live, marking the first time her acclaimed sculptural series has been adapted into a live performance. The exhibition itself remains on view at the gallery until 12th April, before travelling to MIMA from 8th May.

This dynamic event underscores the vibrancy of emerging contemporary art in South London, drawing together 26 selected artists whose works challenge conventional boundaries through multimedia expressions.

What Is New Contemporaries Live?

New Contemporaries Live forms a cornerstone of the annual New Contemporaries programme, an esteemed open selection platform for emerging artists in the UK.

As detailed in the official announcement from the South London Gallery’s press release, the event on 11th April 2026 will transform the gallery space into a hub of live artistic expression, featuring spoken word, performance, live music, and choreographed works directly inspired by the ongoing exhibition.

The New Contemporaries 2026 exhibition, currently hosted at the South London Gallery, includes works from 26 artists selected through a rigorous open call process. This live iteration extends the static displays into temporal, embodied experiences, allowing visitors to engage with the artists’ ideas in real time.

Who Are the Artists Featured in New Contemporaries 2026?

The exhibition spotlights 26 artists chosen for their innovative practices. While specific names beyond Makiko Harris were not individually listed in the primary announcement, the collective selection represents a diverse cohort of emerging talents pushing the frontiers of contemporary art.

Central to the live programme is Makiko Harris, one of these 26 artists. As reported in coverage by South London Gallery communications, Harris is currently presenting her sculptural work Sentinel, part of her wider Needle Dance series, within the exhibition space.

Why Was Makiko Harris Named One to Watch by the Evening Standard?

Makiko Harris earned recognition as a “One to Watch” by the Evening Standard, highlighting her rising prominence in the London art scene.

According to the Evening Standard’s feature, accessible via their online article, Harris’s selection underscores her potential to influence future artistic discourses.

This accolade arrives amid her participation in New Contemporaries 2026, amplifying her visibility. The Evening Standard piece praises her ability to weave personal and societal narratives into tangible forms, a theme resonant in her Needle Dance series.

What Is the Needle Dance Series?

Originally developed through sculpture and later extended into film, the Needle Dance series by Makiko Harris delves into profound themes of fate, femininity, and the invisible structures that shape human experience. As described in the South London Gallery’s event details, Sentinel – a key sculptural piece from this series – is on display until 12th April 2026.

The series employs metaphor-rich imagery, with needles symbolising precision, vulnerability, and the threads of destiny. Harris’s work invites viewers to confront the subtle forces – cultural, emotional, and existential – that govern lives, blending fragility with resilience.

What Makes Needle Dance Live a Milestone Performance?

Needle Dance Live represents the first translation of Harris’s sculptural work into a live performance format, premiering at New Contemporaries Live on 11th April. According to the gallery’s programme notes, the performance integrates choreography, sculpture, and sound, featuring four dancers alongside Harris’s monumental needle sculptures and custom rope costumes.

Harris herself will perform the original violin score live, adding a layer of immediacy and personal investment.

This evolution from static sculpture to dynamic performance expands the series’ exploratory scope, embodying its themes through movement and music.

The choreography draws dancers into a dialogue with the sculptures, where bodies navigate the “invisible structures” via rope costumes that evoke restraint and fluidity. Sound elements, driven by Harris’s violin, punctuate the action, creating an immersive soundscape that mirrors the tension between fate and agency.

When and Where Is the New Contemporaries Exhibition On View?

The New Contemporaries 2026 exhibition is currently on view at the South London Gallery in Camberwell until 12th April 2026. Following its run, it will travel to MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) starting from 8th May 2026, as confirmed in the gallery’s touring schedule.

This dual-venue presentation ensures broader access to the 26 artists’ works, fostering regional engagement with contemporary practice. Visitors to the South London Gallery can pair their exhibition visit with the live event on 11th April, experiencing both static and performative dimensions.

How Does New Contemporaries Live Enhance the Exhibition Experience?

By bridging the gap between exhibition and performance, New Contemporaries Live enriches visitor interaction. The 2pm to 5pm timeframe on 11th April allows for an afternoon of multifaceted artistry, complementing the visual works on display.

Spoken word segments may offer poetic reflections, live music could introduce rhythmic interpretations, and choreographed pieces like Needle Dance Live provide physical embodiments of conceptual ideas. This holistic approach aligns with the programme’s mission to spotlight emerging voices in innovative ways.

What Themes Does Makiko Harris Explore in Her Work?

Makiko Harris’s practice consistently probes fate, femininity, and invisible structures, as articulated in her artist statement referenced by the South London Gallery. In Needle Dance, these themes manifest through sculptures that resemble oversized needles – potent symbols of piercing insight and delicate construction.

Femininity emerges not as stereotype but as a multifaceted force, intertwined with destiny’s unpredictability. The “invisible structures” allude to societal norms, emotional undercurrents, and existential frameworks that invisibly direct human paths, rendered visible through Harris’s material choices.

Who Is Makiko Harris and What Is Her Background?

Makiko Harris stands out as a multifaceted artist whose career trajectory has accelerated with accolades like the Evening Standard’s “One to Watch.” Her inclusion among the 26 New Contemporaries 2026 artists positions her within a lineage of trailblazing talents.

Harris’s transition from sculpture to film and now live performance demonstrates versatility. The South London Gallery highlights her violin proficiency, integral to Needle Dance Live, suggesting a background enriched by musical training alongside visual arts.

Why Should South London Residents Attend This Event?

For Camberwell and wider South London communities, New Contemporaries Live offers a free or low-barrier entry into cutting-edge art, just days before the exhibition closes. It celebrates local gallery initiatives while spotlighting artists who may shape the region’s cultural landscape.

As a hub for contemporary practice, the South London Gallery fosters community ties through such events. Attendees can witness Makiko Harris’s premiere alongside other performances, gaining insights into emerging trends in British art.

What Is the Schedule and Logistics for 11th April?

The event runs from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 11th April 2026 at the South London Gallery, Camberwell. No specific ticketing details were outlined in the announcement, but gallery events typically operate on a drop-in basis; checking the official website for updates is advised.

Proximity to Camberwell’s vibrant scene – including green spaces and transport links – makes it accessible. The timing suits families, art enthusiasts, and casual visitors seeking an enriching Saturday afternoon.

In the broader context of South London’s cultural calendar, this event aligns with ongoing efforts to platform diverse voices. As the exhibition tours to MIMA, its legacy extends northward, but the live premiere remains a Camberwell exclusive.