Wolverhampton Art Gallery exhibition demonstrates the power of hobbies and creativity

The Come As You Really Are exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery is a celebration of local hobbies, creativity and passion, with a wide range of exhibits on display throughout the gallery.

Conceived by award-winning artist Hetain Patel and commissioned by Artangel, the exhibition shows off a selection of objects which were crafted, modified or collected by hobbyists based in the Midlands and beyond, with contributions from crocheters, needleworkers, knitters, woodturners, model makers, cosplay creators, collectors, potters and painters.

The exhibition, which runs until October, is part of a nationwide project and includes a new film by Hetain Patel, featuring a selection of the hobbies on display, co-commissioned by Artangel and partners.

The London-based artist and filmmaker said he had wanted to feature the exhibition in Wolverhampton due to familial links and his own love of the gallery and spoke about the significance of celebrating hobbies.

He said: “Wolverhampton is one of 13 venues across the country where we’re making exhibitions and they’re full to the brim of items from hobbyists, and at this gallery, we’ve done a beautiful selection of local makers.

“It’s about the power of people and the amazing things they do behind closed doors to express themselves and at a time when it feels like the world is in quite a dark place, I think it’s important to inject some joy into our ether and celebrate some of this.

“It’s also about vulnerability as it’s such a vulnerable thing for people to reveal these things that they make and do as hobbies and it’s also about celebrating self-expression.”

Mr Patel said his own hobbies included collecting comics and Transformers toys, as well as making costumes and collecting tufted rugs and said he hoped people took away a feeling of joy from the exhibition.

He said: “I’d like them to feel an idea of giving themselves permission to express themselves and to just engage in creativity as it’s part of our humanity.

“I just want people to give themselves permission, to not be shy about it and to feel like it’s OK to enjoy their hobbies.”