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.
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).
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.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
