Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex

Un/Common People is a major exhibition that celebrates the vibrant folk art and seasonal customs of Wessex, both past and present. It redefines the traditional meaning of the term ‘commoner’ by showcasing the extraordinary creativity of folk art, crafted by self-taught artists and makers.

The exhibition features a remarkable collection of more than 100 objects from Wessex Museums, the Museum of British Folklore and private lenders. Highlights include a handcrafted Wiltshire sweetheart pin cushion made by a World War I veteran, a rare ship crafted entirely from straw linking to Poole’s maritime heritage, and a poignant portrait by a Nigerian artist created while seeking asylum in Swindon.

Complementing the objects on display is a newly commissioned folk song and story map, films and photography that capture the Wessex folk calendar, from the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge to the May Day celebrations in Cerne Abbas. This exhibition showcases how Wessex’s folk traditions have been embraced, reimagined, and enriched over time, blending traditional crafts with modern customisations.

BBC News Online recently featured Un/Common People. You can read the articles below:

Folk exhibition has objects never displayed before

Huge puppet by teens represents 'hope for future'

^{Image Credit}

^{Top Row: Dorset Ooser image taken at Cerne Abbas (Create Studio, 2024) | Summer Solstice at Stonehenge (Create Studios, 2024) | Poole Speedway fans (Poole Museum)}

^{Middle Row: Patchwork quilt, c.1830s, handstitched cotton (The Salisbury Museum) | Portrait by anonymous artist, c.2021 (Museum & Art Swindon) | Sweetheart pin cushion, 1914–1918, made by servicemen (Museum of British Folklore)}

^{Bottom Row: Wooden ocean liner, c.1930s, carved and painted (Museum of British Folklore) | Corn dolly (Museum of British Folklore) | Apple Wassailing at Richard Jefferies Museum, Swindon (Create Studios, 2024)}