The Horror Show! Somerset House

Review: The Horror Show! Exhibition at Somerset House ★★★

Exquisite exhibition design for this grotesque cabinet of curiosity comprised of a three themes: monster, ghost and witch. A horrible hit, which just needed a few more nightmares.

The Horror Show! | Somerset House | Until 19 Feb 2023 | £16.50/12 conc

Taking a satirical look at the last 40 years of recent British History, the Horror Show is a darkly humorous collection of artworks, artifacts and ideas.

The exhibition concept is beautifully realised and feels like exploring a theme park or movie set. The objects within these elaborate environments range from a ghastly grinning Tony Blair portrait to a leaflet about surviving the Millennium Bug. The collection is a sardonic seance celebrating British eccentricities and darker persuasions but lacks real showstopping exhibits.

Review: The Horror Show! Exhibition at Somerset House ★★★ 1
London, UK. 26 October 2022. Installation view showing (R) Luciana Martinez de la Rosa, Jordan, 1977, Guy Peellaert, David Bowie, Diamond Dogs, 1974, Kypros via Getty Images and David Bowie and Jordan, 1978 at The Horror Show!: A Twisted Tale of Modern Britain at Somerset House. The new exhibition explores how ideas rooted in horror have informed the last 50 years of creative rebellion with over 200 artworks and culturally significant objects on show 27 October to 19 February 2023. Credit: Stephen Chung for Somerset House

Punk, Leigh Bowery, Folk horror, Ghostwatch are all featured in this expansive exhibition channeling the cultural tropes of monster, ghost and witch.

Highlights included the punk section featuring icons Jordan, Jamie Reid and Bowie; Maggie Thatcher in a series of face-melting pictures; a David Shrigley kitty taxidermy piece; and a witchy wall installation (pictured below).

Review: The Horror Show! Exhibition at Somerset House ★★★ 2
The Horror Show!: A Twisted Tale of Modern Britain at Somerset House. The new exhibition explores how ideas rooted in horror have informed the last 50 years of creative rebellion with over 200 artworks and culturally significant objects on show 27 October to 19 February 2023. Credit: Stephen Chung for Somerset House

The real star of the show however, is the huge set of sharp gnashers, and eyes facing the Thames with added gurgling noises for full gross-out fun.

Review: The Horror Show! Exhibition at Somerset House ★★★ 3