Bloomsbury's Hidden Stories

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, Charleston in Lewes will host the exhibition Mad Bloomsbury, which runs until Monday, 12 April 2027. This exhibition delves into the lives and work of the Bloomsbury group, examining how madness shaped their experiences and creative output. By bringing together art, objects, and previously unseen works from Charleston's collection, the exhibition offers a nuanced understanding of the group's engagement with changing ideas about madness in 20th-century Britain.

The exhibition coincides with the centenary of Virginia Woolf's essay 'On Being Ill', and features a rare public display of works by Helen Coombe, a lesser-known figure in the Bloomsbury circle. Coombe's story, marked by her experiences in a psychiatric institution, adds a poignant layer to the exhibition's narrative. Curator Hazel McMichael's approach, informed by the social model of disability and neurodiversity, sheds new light on the intersections between madness, queer and feminist histories, and class.

The Mad Heritage Collective, a co-production partner, has contributed art and interpretation to the exhibition, further enriching the narrative. With Hazel McMichael at the helm, the exhibition is set to offer a bold and innovative perspective on the Bloomsbury group's history. For more information and to book tickets, details are available with the button beside this article.