Mad Bloomsbury Exhibition

Are we prepared to re-examine the familiar narratives of the Bloomsbury group, to consider the ways in which madness shaped their lives and work? The upcoming exhibition at Charleston, Lewes, invites us to do just that, drawing on new research and lived experience to explore the complex and often fraught relationship between creativity and mental health.

• The exhibition brings together a range of art, objects, and never-before-exhibited works from Charleston's collection, offering a unique glimpse into the lives and work of the Bloomsbury group. • A rare public display of works by Helen Coombe, the artist and wife of Roger Fry, is a highlight of the exhibition, showcasing her decorated harpsichord and stained-glass designs. • The exhibition is co-produced with the Mad Heritage Collective and curated by Hazel McMichael, Charleston's Curating Visibility Fellow, who brings a nuanced understanding of the social model of disability and neurodiversity to the project.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday, 4 November 2026, to Monday, 12 April 2027, at Charleston in Lewes, and tickets are with the button beside the article. By exploring the intersections between madness, creativity, and identity, Mad Bloomsbury offers a thought-provoking and timely examination of the Bloomsbury group's enduring legacy, one that challenges us to rethink our assumptions about the nature of art, mental health, and the human experience.