The Oxford Festival of the Arts is bringing a major visual art component to its 2025 program, featuring free exhibitions by world-renowned artists across multiple venues in Oxford city centre. Highlights include James Gemmill's cinematic paintings at St John's College, a collaborative installation by Chinese artist Qu Lei Lei and Caroline Deane at OVADA examining humanity and geopolitics, a retrospective of Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Dubovyk's 'White Bouquet' series, and a charitable project supporting Ukrainian children through art. All exhibitions are free and require no booking.
The festival's expansion into visual arts matters because it democratizes access to high-caliber contemporary art, bringing internationally significant artists to a regional audience without cost barriers. The inclusion of politically engaged work—Qu Lei Lei's advocacy for freedom of expression, Dubovyk's Ukrainian identity amid war, and Gemmill's humanitarian themes—positions the festival as a platform for art that addresses urgent global issues. By integrating these free exhibitions with its broader programme of music, theatre, and silent films, the festival strengthens Oxford's cultural ecosystem and underscores the role of community festivals in making serious art accessible.