The Museum of Everything

What would you put in a museum if you were given the chance to open one? Would you have a collection of 20th century shoes? Cars throughout the ages? The life and works of some obscure Armenian painter who has fascinated you ever since childhood? Would you display your own personal collection of mementos? I personally would probably use the opportunity to showcase the enormous collection of novelty erasers I collected from a very early age. Honestly they’re fascinating – have you ever seen a burger made totally of erasers? Even the cheese and the gherkin are removable!  Ok so perhaps that’s not everyone’s cup of tea…

The fascinatingly named ‘Museum of Everything’ is not, as the name would suggest, a museum set up by someone who couldn’t think of a theme, but is London’s first and only public space for the display of art which has been created by artists living outside the boundaries of mainstream society.  James Brett, the museum’s creator, provides the following explanation: “for these artists there are no studios, no press junkets, no art fairs, no magazine spread. Instead there are treasure troves of untrained work, discovered under rocks, in basements and attics, its creators often unaware that their art would ever see the light of day.”  So this is basically secret art and the museum has asked leading artists, curators and cultural figures to explore the continuing connection between this genre and contemporary practice.

Some examples of the work on display include the spirit drawings of London-born medium Madge Gill, the recycled ceramic kingdom of Indian road worker Nek Chand and the panoramic fairytale illustrations of the renowned Chicago recluse, Henry Darger.  Some better-known names involved in the project include Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave.  The museum officially opened on 14th October and has over 200 drawings, installations, paintings and sculptures on display (www.musevery.com).

The Museum of Everything
Corner of Regents Park Rd and Sharples Hall St
NW1