The Artangel commission showcasing Britain’s hobbies will open in Croydon

This summer, London will see the launch of Come As You Really Are, an extraordinary exhibition celebrating Britain’s diverse hobbyists. Presented by award-winning artist and Spider-Man enthusiast Hetain Patel, this Artangel-commissioned project offers a contemporary portrait of the nation through the lens of personal pastimes. The exhibition’s inaugural presentation will take place in Croydon, with further presentations planned at various locations across the UK throughout 2025.

In January 2024, people across the UK answered a public call by sharing stories about their beloved hobbies. These 1,500+ responses form the foundation of the exhibition, featuring well-known and obscure pastimes. From arts and crafts, knitting, Lego creations and Warhammer figures to doll customisation, micro-ceramics, car modification and furniture upcycling, Come As You Are captures the breadth of the UK’s hobby landscape.

The exhibition will feature thousands of unique craft items on loan from enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds and professions across the UK. These elements reflect how individuals express themselves and find agency through their hobbies. Some participants started their hobbies during lockdown, while others have dedicated decades to their passions. For many, these activities provide escape, an outlet from daily stress and a means of connecting with others.

At the center of the exhibition is a new film by Hetain Patel. He brings his trademark mix of high-end filmmaking and everyday scenes to elevate the creativity and passion inherent in hobbies. The film juxtaposes ephemeral pastimes such as wild swimming with handmade objects, presented in a style usually reserved for Hollywood films and luxury advertising.

Highlights include three Spider-Man outfits created by Patel, including a three-piece suit and two modified cars. “Fiesta Transformer” (2013) turns Patel’s first car into a robot, created with the help of his father in the Bolton family garage. Another work, “Somerset Road” (2024), features a Ford Escort wrapped in a hand-tufted rug inspired by Patel’s grandmother’s rug.

Patel comments, “Sharing something so personal can be vulnerable, and this often happens in private spaces around daily responsibilities. However, collective sharing has an extraordinary power, which is at the heart of this project. I hope people will join us in this celebration of the unstoppable nature of self-expression demonstrated by our hobbies.”

Mariam Zulfiqar, Director of Artangel, adds: “Hetain Patel’s work has always invited us to reflect on identity as multidimensional and complex. For “Come As You Are”, he invited people from the UK to share the fun that is part of their identity. The ambitious display of thousands of objects embraces our differences and invites us to rethink what we value in an age dominated by consumerism.”

The exhibition will be housed in the Grade-II listed Grants Building in Croydon, a historic site which opened in 1895 as a department store and has since undergone various transformations. The facade of the building still displays details of its past, such as the ‘haberdashery’ and ‘silks’, linking it to the handmade textiles essential to the exhibition.

Come As You Are will travel to a number of national partner venues including Factory International in Manchester, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool and the Museum of Making in Derby. The project was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of hundreds of participants and the support of partner organizations.

Come As You Are runs from 18 July to 20 October 2024 at the Grants Building, 14-32 High Street, Croydon CR0 1GT. For more information, visit Artangel’s website.

Individuals can still submit details of their hobbies through The Hobby Cave for inclusion in future iterations of the project.

Future partner presentation dates:

February – April 2025: Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
March – July 2025: Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland
March – June 2025: Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
April 2025: Museum of Making, Derby Museums Trust
May – August 2025: Barnsley Civic
July 2025: National Festival of Creation 2025 (Blackburn Museum)
July – September 2025: Wolverhampton Art Gallery
October 2025: Center for Contemporary Art, Derry~Londonderry
November 2025: Tate St Ives, Cornwall
December 2025 – January 2026: Inverness Museum and Gallery
January – March 2026: Factory International, Manchester
Dates confirmed: Hospitalfield, Arbroath
Join us in celebrating the hobbies that enrich lives across the UK in this unique and ambitious Artangel commission.

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Artangel, Artangel Commission, Come As You Really Are, UK Enthusiasts.