Hamish Pearch, ‘Cochlea Brick Tuft’, courtesy of the artist
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40 Leading Artists, Designers And Musicians Look At Fungi’s Colourful Cultural Legacy exhibition

A new exhibition ‘Mushrooms: The art, design and future of fungi’ at the Somerset House in London celebrates the remarkable mushroom, and all the progressive, poetic and psychedelic wonder it evokes.

Bringing together the work of over 40 leading artists, designers and musicians, Mushrooms looks at fungi’s colourful cultural legacy, as well as the promise it offers to reimagine our relationship with the planet.

Highlights in this new exhibition from writer and curator Francesca Gavin include seminal American artist Cy Twombly’s collage portfolio paralleling natural world and human history, watercolours from renowned author Beatrix Potter, composer John Cage’s limited edition Mushroom Book of recipes, observations and illustrations, and inspiring works from emerging contemporary artists.

Plus, explore ground-breaking experiments in design, textiles and architecture that utilise mushrooms in exciting new ways – from upcycled agro-waste to sustainable shoes made with mycelium.

Contributing artists include Takashi Murakami, Haroon Mirza, Hannah Collins, Adham Faramawy, Annie Ratti, Simon Popper, Jae Rhim Lee, Graham Little, Seana Gavin, Perks and Mini, and Mae-ling Lokko.


‘Mushrooms: The art, design and future of fungi’ at the Somerset House

Somerset House, London; Terrace Rooms; South Wing

Free

30 Jan – 26 Apr 2020

More details

Installation shot from Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Installation shot from Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Hamish Pearch, ‘Cochlea Brick Tuft’, courtesy of the artist

Hamish Pearch, ‘Cochlea Brick Tuft’, courtesy of the artist

Beatrix Potter, Hygrophorus puniceus, pencil and watercolour, 7.10.1894, collected at Smailholm Tower, Kelso, courtesy of the Armitt Trust

Beatrix Potter, Hygrophorus puniceus, pencil and watercolour, 7.10.1894, collected at Smailholm Tower, Kelso, courtesy of the Armitt Trust

Seana Gavin, ‘Mindful Mushroom’, courtesy of the artist

Seana Gavin, ‘Mindful Mushroom’, courtesy of the artist

Seana Gavin collage works, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Seana Gavin collage works, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Sebastian Cox & Ninela Ivanova, Mycelium + Timber © Petr Krejci Photography

Sebastian Cox & Ninela Ivanova, Mycelium + Timber © Petr Krejci Photography

Kristel Peters, ‘Mycoschoen’, courtesy of the artist

Kristel Peters, ‘Mycoschoen’, courtesy of the artist

Graham Little, ‘Untitled (Wood)’ 2019, courtesy of Alison Jacques Gallery, London

Graham Little, ‘Untitled (Wood)’ 2019, courtesy of Alison Jacques Gallery, London

 Installation shot from Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Installation shot from Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

3. Carsten Holler, Pilzkoffer (Mushroom Suitcase) 2008, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

3. Carsten Holler, Pilzkoffer (Mushroom Suitcase) 2008, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Seana Gavin collage works, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

Seana Gavin collage works, as part of Mushrooms The Art, Design and Future of Fungi © Mark Blower

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