Media release: 22 June 2023
I Grew Up 80s
- I Grew Up 80s arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 8 July until 9 September 2023
- Exhibition includes over two-hundred treasures from the 1980s
- From the same collector, Matt Fox, who brought to Worcester the exhibitions May the Toys Be With You and The Magic of Middle Earth
An entire generation has a chance to wallow in nostalgia when the fantastic new exhibition I Grew Up 80s arrives at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on 8 July until 9 September 2023.
This summer, visitors to Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum will travel through the cultural landscape of a childhood spent in 1980s Britain – revisiting the vibrancy, quirkiness and innovation that defined the decade. From Betamax to the BMX, the Rubik’s Cube to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, the Thompson Twins to Transformers, over 200 objects will inspire memories and moments for families to share.
Collector and cultural commentator Matt Fox has devoted himself to exploring a 1980s childhood through the iconic objects of a decade in which so much changed. Matt, who was aged eight in 1980, has carefully curated a time capsule of over two-hundred treasures that showcase the youthful exuberance of the much-loved decade. Matt hopes the exhibition will have parents sharing memories and stories with their children:
“Those that grew up 30-40 years ago pre-internet, in the 1980s, can genuinely state that life was very different then. In my view, the 80’s were a remarkable time to be a child. We roamed out on our bikes, away from our parents and without the umbilical cord of mobile phones. In cinemas Star Wars had ushered in a new era of special FX movies – perfect for us kids. Music similarly was a feelgood riot of colour and sound. And televisions were no longer just for watching programmes like Grange Hill and The Young Ones – as games consoles and home computers transformed the humble telly into a host of imaginary worlds where children could play and explore.”
I Grew Up 80s showcases a wide array of wonderfully preserved objects and encompasses, toys, technology, sport, fashion, food, film, books, TV, and more. Visitors can also dress up in bright 80s fashions for their selfies and play iconic 80s board games in the Gallery. To really get in the spirit visitors can purchase 80s Deely-boppers when they arrive.
Matt adds: “It’s a look back at objects that many people either owned or perhaps desperately wanted to! For example, you’ll see Dunlop Green Flash trainers alongside cool Adidas High Tops. Toys and electronic games that kids once poured longingly over in the Argos catalogue. Iconic albums you played to death on vinyl and cassette. Chocolate bars and candy that are no longer with us. Plus, some great examples of 80s excess like the Casio KX-101 ‘king of boomboxes’, neon leg warmers, and purple shell suits!”
So, if you grew up in the 80s get ready to exclaim “I remember that!”, and like Bill and Ted in their phone booth or Marty McFly in his DeLorean, let Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum take you on a most excellent adventure this Summer to revisit the greatest decade in the history of history – the 80s!
The exhibition opens on Saturday 8 July and admission is free. For more information, please visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
ENDS
Press contact:
For further information contact:
Helen Large, at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, email Helen.Large@worcester.gov.uk
Image Credit: All images © Matt Fox 2019
There will be a photo opportunity on Thursday 6 July, 11am. 80s collector Matt Fox is available for interviews from Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 July. Please contact Helen to arrange.
Exhibition Details:
I Grew Up 80s
Saturday 8 July – Saturday 9 September 2023 | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Monday to Saturday 10.30am – 4.30pm
FREE entry
Travel through the cultural landscape of a childhood spent in 1980s Britain – revisiting the vibrancy, quirkiness and innovation that defined the decade. From Betamax to the BMX, the Rubik’s Cube to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, the Thompson Twins to Transformers, over 200 objects will inspire memories and moments for families to share.
Events:
For families:
Trail: Excellent 80s!
What made the 80s – Space Invaders, Rubik’s Cube or Mr Potato Head? Follow this ‘most excellent’ trail and find out the ‘awesome’ answers to all these questions! £1; 8 July – 9 September.
Workshops: Make it 80s!
Time-travel back to the 1980s with fantastic family workshops inspired by the summer exhibition I Grew Up 80s. Choose between a canvas bag, pencil case or picture frame and decorate it with your best colourful ’80s designs! £4.50 per child; find out more and book now.
For adults:-
Museum After Hours
Get your friends together and enjoy the Art Gallery and Museum on a Friday night… DJ Ed Steelefox is back with the 80s’ very best music on 14 July and film soundtracks on 18 August. Free entry; cash bar. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
About Museums Worcestershire
Museums Worcestershire is the joint museum service of Worcester City and Worcestershire County Councils. It comprises three fantastic venues– Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, the Commandery in Worcester and The County Museum at Hartlebury Castle.
The collections and exhibitions at our sites are many and varied, covering centuries of the county’s history right up to the present day. Thousands of objects, including the historic buildings themselves, are brought to life through innovative exhibitions and events throughout the year.