Cute
Exhibition

Cute

25 Jan - 14 Apr 2024
£18.50/Concessions from £11
This exhibiton happened in the past

Opening Times

Thu 11 Apr 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Fri 12 Apr 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Sat 13 Apr 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Sun 14 Apr 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)

Click here for the Cute Coffee Shop by Artbox Cafe opening times

Families - those booking 2 adult and 2 child tickets (aged 6-11) or 1 adult and 2 child tickets (aged 6-11) receive a 10% discount (applied at checkout).

Relaxed Sessions - We are hosting two Relaxed Sessions for anyone who would like to explore Cute in a calm and comfortable and environment, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers. These will be held on Saturday 16 March from 18.30-20.00 and Friday 05 April from 10.00-11.30 click here for details.

We advise all visitors not to bring bags unless it’s essential. For the safety of the artworks exhibited, large bags (larger than A3), backpacks, professional cameras and tripods are not permitted inside the exhibition. Please note that there are no cloakroom facilities on site.

Embankment Galleries
South Wing

A major exhibition exploring the irresistible force of cuteness in contemporary culture.

★★★★★ "a must-visit for any adult child of the internet age, or indeed any parent of the internet age"

The Evening Standard

★★★★ "a brilliant exploration of an all-consuming cultural phenomenon"

Time Out

★★★★ "a thoughtful exploration of the cult and culture of cuteness"

The Guardian
CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL VISITOR INFORMATION

Content guidance: This exhibition features a very small amount of content referencing violence, drugs, mental health, political extremism and nudity. Please note that the Hannah Diamond commission involves flashing images. If you are at risk of a seizure due to photosensitive epilepsy or other conditions, please speak to a Visitor Experience Assistant and they will suggest an alternative route. If you require any more information during your visit, please ask a member of the Visitor Experience team in the first instance.

Pre-booking recommended to avoid disappointment

There are a limited number of tickets available at the exhibition box office each day 

Please note that we are not able to offer reciprocal entry for the first two weeks and last two weeks of the exhibition.

 

Opening Times

Thu 11 Apr 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Fri 12 Apr 10.00 - 21.00 (last entry 20.00)
Sat 13 Apr 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)
Sun 14 Apr 10.00 - 20.00 (last entry 19.00)


As a guide we recommend allowing approximately 1 to 1.5 hours in the exhibition.

Click here for the Cute Coffee Shop by Artbox Cafe opening times


Bags & Belongings
We advise all visitors not to bring bags unless it’s essential. For the safety of the artworks exhibited, large bags (larger than A3), backpacks, professional cameras and tripods are not permitted inside the exhibition.

Please note that there are no cloakroom facilities on site.


Families
Those booking 2 adult and 2 child (aged 6-11) tickets or 1 adult and up to 3 child (aged 6-11) tickets receive a 10% discount (applied at checkout).

There is a buggy park available where people can leave buggies at their own risk. Children's scooters are not permitted inside the exhibition. 


Groups
Groups of 10 or more visitors get a 10% discount on their exhibition tickets. Please note group discounts are only available on full-price tickets.

For groups of 20 or more, please call +44 (0)333 320 2836. Lines are open between 09.00 - 18.00 - Mon-Fri, 10.00 - 18.00 - Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays.

CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS INFORMATION

Relaxed Sessions
We are hosting two Relaxed Sessions for anyone who would like to explore Cute in a calm and comfortable and environment, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers. These will be held on Saturday 16 March from 18.30-20.00 and Friday 05 April from 10.00-11.30 click here for details.

Access Packs
Available to borrow from the Cute Box Office everyday and contain Large Print Guides, Noise Cancelling Headphones, a copy of the Visual Story, Magnifying Glasses and a stress ball.

 

From emojis to internet memes, video games to plushie toys, food to loveable robotic design, cuteness has taken over our world. But how has something so charming and seemingly harmless – adorable, doe-eyed animals, chubby-cheeked babies, flowers, hearts, stars, sweets and other such romantic motifs – gained such traction?  

CUTE brings together contemporary artworks, including new artist commissions, and cultural phenomena such as music, fashion, toys, video games and social media, in this brand-new show examining the world’s embrace of cute culture and how it has become such an influential measure of our times. It will seek to unravel cuteness’ emotive charge, revealing its extraordinary and complex power and potential.   

Contributing artists include Mark Leckey, Sean-Kierre Lyons, AYA TAKANO, Mike Kelley, Karen Kilimnik, Nayland Blake, Cosima von Bonin, Hannah Diamond, Ed Fornieles, Juliana Huxtable, Rachel Maclean, Julien Ceccaldi, Paige K. B., Isaac Lythgoe, Alake Shilling, Wong Ping, Liv Preston, CFGNY, Ram Han, Maggie Lee, Bunny Rogers, Flannery Silva, Andy Holden, plus Somerset House Studios artists Chris Zhongtian Yuan, Sin Wai Kin and Sian Fan.  

The exhibition will feature a games arcade for all ages and will spotlight and celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of cute’s most iconic and ubiquitous figures, Hello Kitty, in partnership with Sanrio.

Principal Partner

logo sanrio 23 blue

Hotel Partner

Enjoy comfort after cuteness with an exclusive offer for 'Cute' ticket holders. Save 20% off rooms at Strand Palace Hotel, a stone's throw away from Somerset House. Receive your exclusive code with your ticket booking confirmation.

Header image: Graphic Thought Facility (1990, UK). Playing Dress Up With AI, 2023