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What do you collect? UK exhibition celebrates the things we gather

Matthew Nash

Europe;England
The exhibition looks to showcase the various hobbies Britons have enjoyed over the years. /Will Russell/Reuters
The exhibition looks to showcase the various hobbies Britons have enjoyed over the years. /Will Russell/Reuters

The exhibition looks to showcase the various hobbies Britons have enjoyed over the years. /Will Russell/Reuters

More than 14,000 objects collected, created or customised by British hobbyists are being shown together for the first time in a major exhibition exploring the UK's hobbies.

Titled Come As You Really Are, the exhibition was conceived by artist Hetain Patel, whose own works include labor-intensive homemade Spider-Man costumes and modified car sculptures.

The objects on display have been loaned by hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds from across the country, who responded to a nationwide call to members of the public to share their free time activities.

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Some 4,000 My Little Pony collectables are seen on display as part of the 'Come As You Really Are' exhibition. /Will Russell/Reuters
Some 4,000 My Little Pony collectables are seen on display as part of the 'Come As You Really Are' exhibition. /Will Russell/Reuters

Some 4,000 My Little Pony collectables are seen on display as part of the 'Come As You Really Are' exhibition. /Will Russell/Reuters

"I think the thing that surprised me (was) how many different hobbies there are. You wouldn't think of hundreds and that's what we were getting," said Patel. "I think what it says about the UK and its people is that we need to express ourselves."

Collector items at the exhibition include around 4,000 My Little Pony toys as well as curated plastic bag, cigarette pack, Warhammer figurine and typewriter collections.

Artist and curator Hetain Patel's artwork titled 'Somerset Road' featuring a Ford Escort tufted by the artist in the pattern of his grandmother's living-room carpet. /Will Russell/Reuters
Artist and curator Hetain Patel's artwork titled 'Somerset Road' featuring a Ford Escort tufted by the artist in the pattern of his grandmother's living-room carpet. /Will Russell/Reuters

Artist and curator Hetain Patel's artwork titled 'Somerset Road' featuring a Ford Escort tufted by the artist in the pattern of his grandmother's living-room carpet. /Will Russell/Reuters

Among the handcrafted objects on show are cosplayer costumes, clay heads, miniature pottery, nail art and handmade patchwork quilts.

"It's not about pretending we're all the same. We're all different and we're proud of that," Patel said.

The exhibition, held in Croydon's Grants Building, opened on July 18 and runs through October 20.

What do you collect? UK exhibition celebrates the things we gather

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Source(s): Reuters
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