Artwork by Otto aged 10 and Vincent aged 7

The Covid Letters: A Vital Update

40 Brunswick Square London WC1N 1AZ
24 Oct 2020 — 11 Apr 2021
  • Exhibitions & Displays
Jonny Banger, designer and owner of subversive fashion label Sports Banger, shows 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 is 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 brings to life the museum’s 300-year-old story of creative campaigning and social justice.

Visitors to the exhibition will have 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 (images below) and an edition.

Join the conversation #covidletters

 

Images (from left to right) by Otto aged 10 and Vincent aged 7

 

Essential information

  • Everyone (including those eligible for free admission) must book tickets for a timed slot online
  • The last available slot is 4pm
  • Tickets grant access to the exhibition, our displays and our collections
  • All visitors are asked to wear a face covering
  • Read about the safety measures we’ve put in place before you visit

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Recovery Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

  • Sports Banger’s ‘Covid Letters’ show is a hoot

    Time Out London

  • …a creative response to the pandemic quite unlike anything else we’ve seen so far.

    Evening Standard

  • The Covid Letters are best art to come out of lockdown, I am very jealous. They are funny, naughty and angry in equal measure.

    Jeremy Deller

  • it is fabulous

    PM, Radio 4

  • Ultimately these letters have captured a moment in history that will no doubt see their way into future books on the history of the Covid crisis

    Camden New Journal