On July 16, 2025, the group exhibition The Things opened at Safehouse in London and ran from July 15 to July 20. The exhibition features works including sculpture, readymades, installations, moving image, painting, and photography. Most of the works explore the relationship between people and objects. “Things” are everywhere—we create them, collect them, and give them meaning. Artists find in everyday objects and the overlooked stories, memories, and traumas, and through their practices, they explore how these objects reflect social structures and the shared worlds we build with them.
Safehouse in London is a distinctive venue for exhibitions and artistic events, located in the Peckham district. The two buildings were originally Victorian terraced houses, which later fell into disrepair after years of neglect and became structurally unsafe. When renovated, they were not “restored” in the conventional sense, but instead left with peeling paint, exposed brick walls, and worn wooden floors. Because of its strong spatial and historical character, many exhibitions at Safehouse respond directly to the building itself, rather than relying on standardized white walls and uniform lighting.
Artists
Bowen Wang, Cici Song, Fangfei Tian, Jiayi Wu, Jingtang Wang, Junwen Hong, Haochen Jia, Kan Xu, Luojia Shan, Luote Xia, Mingxuan Lou, Minqi Li, Pengjun Guo, Sean Zhang, Shuqi Zhang, Siheng Lu, Wanruo Huang, Xiaoxun Huang, Xinghan Zhao, Yang Ye, Yixiang Liao, Yuxuan Miao, Zhaoqi Wang, Zhikun Zhang
Preface
If we step outside the conventional “white cube” space constructed for the display of artworks, can these so-called “works” instead be understood as arising from the activities of artists themselves? And then, what makes an artist an artist? Where do artists come from?
This exhibition seeks to challenge the traditional “do not touch” culture of art, the lack of interaction, and the over-idealization of artworks. It takes place in two derelict houses in South London, deliberately opposing the conventional settings of galleries and exhibitions. With sensory experience as its central theme, the exhibition creates an immersive environment through performative artworks, guiding visitors into a space that invites full sensory engagement.
The aim is to present audiences with a dynamic and inclusive way of experiencing art, encouraging them to interact with it from a multi-sensory perspective. Through interactive elements, direct involvement of artists, and thought-provoking discussions, the exhibition breaks away from traditional norms, offering a unique and memorable artistic encounter.
Curatorial Team
Academic Support｜Paul Tebbs
Professor of Photography at the London College of Communication. He has published extensively on contemporary photography in a range of magazines. His research interests include the philosophy of the image, art and protest, animals in art, art writing, and the contemporary condition of photography. He is the Theory Coordinator for BA Photography, a supervisor for MA Photography Theory, and organizes cross-course theoretical seminars.
Concept Curator｜Jiayi Lu
Graduate of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, with a degree in Contemporary Photography Practices and Philosophies. Lecturer in the Third Studio of Sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Her practice involves installation, film, video, text, and poetry, with a focus on exploring the potential of language and overlooked or fictionalized moments in everyday life.
Curator｜Leanne Wigger
Graduate of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, in Contemporary Photography Practices and Philosophies. Active as an artist and photographer across Asia and Europe in recent years. Her work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery, with research focusing on the relationship between organisms and nature.
Executive Curator｜Farrah Li
Graduate of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, in Contemporary Photography Practices and Philosophies. Currently based in London as an installation and moving-image artist. Her works have been shown at Tate and Tension Gallery.
Curatorial Assistants｜Christina Yin Ye, Yuman Zhang, Zhihan Hu
Editor｜Chenchen Liu
