GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN! brings together Charles M. Schulz original Peanuts cartoons with work from a wide range of acclaimed contemporary artists and designers who have been inspired by this highly influential and much-loved cartoon. Unique in its enduring appeal, this exhibition explores Peanuts’ renewed agency in contemporary culture and society.
Until Sun 03 Mar 2019
Monday, Tuesday, Saturday & Sundays 10.00-20.00 (last admission 19.00)
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 11.00-20.00 (last admission 19.00)
"One of the most talked about exhibitions in the UK"
★★★★★ “Touching, iconic and reminds you of what it means to be human”
★★★★ "The ultimate Peanuts collection"
Schulz created 17,897 strips during his life, syndicated to over 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and translated into 21 languages, reaching a truly global audience in an era long before digital communications. Featuring original strips rarely seen in the UK or Europe, the exhibition will celebrate Schulz’s prodigious output and examine his creative process. Through the prism of the lives and musings of beloved characters, including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Franklin and Peppermint Patty, Peanuts addressed themes including art, faith, existentialism, race, war and feminism, crossing social and economic boundaries, and standing as a testament to the power of popular arts.
“I didn’t grow up reading the strips themselves. After Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I’m aware of what I missed.”
Objects belonging to Schulz are on display, alongside original publications and vintage products, such as fashion designer Kim Jones' sweatshirt collection, the ‘Silver Snoopy’ from NASA that has travelled to the moon and back and badges in support of Snoopy’s presidential campaign.
You can enjoy interactive installations including the Snoopy Cinema, complete with bean bags on a baseball pitcher’s mound, with over an hour of remastered Peanuts TV specials, a real-life reimagining of Lucy’s Psychiatric Help Booth, Snoopy typewriters where you can create a novel starting with ‘It was a dark and stormy night’, and light boxes to learn how to draw the Peanuts gang.
Alongside this examination of Schulz’s life and work, the exhibition features a thrilling range of contemporary pieces, including new works by artists and designers who have been inspired by Peanuts. Contributors cross creative disciplines, including sculpture, music, film, design and fashion, and feature artists including Fiona Banner, Mel Brimfield, Mira Calix, Steven Claydon, Marcus Coates, François Curlet, Mark Drew, FriendsWithYou, Ryan Gander, Eloise Hawser, Andy Holden, Des Hughes, Ken Kagami, KAWS, Lauren LoPrete, Helen Marten, David Musgrave, patten, Matthew Plummer-Fernandez, Lucas Price and Ruth Proctor.
New works made especially for the exhibition include a processed-based performance work by Mira Calix, a film by Andy Holden and a flag drawn by Ryan Gander’s four-year-old daughter to be flown above Somerset House.
Accompanying the exhibition is a rich programme of events, taking place at lunchtimes, evenings and weekends and a beautifully illustrated exhibition catalogue featuring all the fascinating stories from the show.
We advise allowing 1-1.5 hours to enjoy the exhibition in full. Please be aware that if you book the 17.00 (Mon-Tues, Sat – Sun) timeslot or 19.00 (Wed-Fri) the exhibition will close at 18.00 and 20.00 respectively.
Looking for perfect Peanuts presents? Our exclusive exhibition shop includes a range of original and inspired gifts for all ages, with clothing, accessories, collectibles, homewares, games, books and stationery. And our exhibition catalogue, designed by Fraser Muggeridge Studio, as the ultimate must-have for Snoopy fans.
