The Covid Letters: A Vital Update

Jonny Banger, designer and owner of subversive fashion label Sports Banger, showed the work he gathered from the nation’s children during lockdown.

As the country went into lockdown, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, wrote a letter intended for every household in the UK, urging residents to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. In response, Banger invited young people, under the age of 16, to customise the letter, as a way of articulating their feelings – including about the Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, and the NHS. Entries were received from across the UK, from toddlers to teenagers, which ranged from a simple scribble and calls to support the NHS with more PPE, to anti-government graffiti. Using pens, pencils, paint and collage, children took the opportunity to make their voices heard.

This exhibition was a unique opportunity to view over 200 works from The Covid Letters, displayed in the Museum’s exhibition gallery and interspersed throughout the historic collections. Shown in the context of the Foundling Museum, the exhibition brought to life the museum’s 300-year-old story of creative campaigning and social justice.

Visitors to the exhibition had the opportunity to support the Christmas food bank run by Sports Banger & Friends and the museum’s pioneering work with disadvantaged young people, through the purchase of Sports Banger merchandise and an edition.