A BRUSH WITH DOOM
– The world’s most ‘dangerous’ art gallery only exhibits cursed and haunted works that could put visitors’ very lives at risk –
- Opened by The Kraken Rum as part of its annual Screamfest experience, the House of Curses gallery only displays notorious haunted and cursed artworks
- Among the ‘exorcibits’ are Annabelle doll, the fire-starting Crying Boy painting and Damien Hirst’s ‘The Dream is Dead’ skull
- One infamous painting, ‘The Unknown Girl’, is said to be so haunted that visitors will have to sign a waiver before viewing it and are only permitted to gaze upon it in private
- Featuring paintings, dolls, photos and sculptures which each carry their own terrifying backstories, the gallery has been curated by Ruth Millington
- The gallery is open Thursday 31st October – Saturday 2nd November at The Vinyl Factory in Soho
- Tickets are priced at £10 and available to buy at: https://www.universe.com/screamfest-house-of-curses
This Halloween, The Kraken is bringing a new kind of existential horror to the UK by opening what could be the world’s most dangerous art gallery. That’s because the temporary exhibition will, for the first time, bring together the most notorious haunted and cursed artworks and objects in the country, all known to have inflicted terror and suffering upon those that have gazed upon them.
Expertly curated by art historian and critic, Ruth Millington, the House of Curses comprises six psychologically thrilling themed mini-exhibits, including ‘Cursed Creatures’, ‘Possessed Children’ and modern day Creepypasta ‘Internet Lore’, with visitors receiving a walkthrough audio guide delving into the haunted backstories of each piece.
Entering through ‘Cursed Creatures’, after discovering more about the history of the Kraken itself, guests will find themselves in ‘Ghost’, where they’ll see haunted projector slides from the Birmingham & Midlands Institute as well as original artwork by Zac Webb, painted during his time in residency at Ohio’s most haunted house. Moving through to ‘Skeleton’, the theme of death becomes ever more prevalent, showcased through an original Damien Hirst skull – ‘The Dream is Dead’.
Room four explores the darkest corners of internet lore from Slenderman to Goat Man and Creepypasta legends, before moving through to ‘Dolls’ which hosts one of the UK’s most haunted items – The Grace Doll. Known as the UK’s ‘Annabelle’, this doll, donated by paranormal investigator Danny Moss, has been seen to move inside her enclosed glass box as well as threatening to ‘burn [visitors’] eyes out.’
The penultimate room sees visitors surrounded by a series of ‘Possessed Children’ paintings including the ‘Crying Boy’ that was said to have caused homes to burn down in Scotland. There is also the deeply unsettling ‘The Hands Resist Him’ portrait: a horror-stricken painting which seemed to cause the deaths of those closely associated with it. So evil is this work that even the reproductions are said to be possessed with a malevolent force.
Accessible only after signing a waiver, the final exhibit contains one of the most haunted paintings of them all. This original piece was the centre of a 2023 media storm after it was returned to a charity shop by multiple owners who reported chills, being chased by a demonic figure and one person even having to call an ambulance after collapsing in the painting’s presence. Those who do dare enter will be granted only a short time in the presence of ‘The Unknown Girl’ before being ushered out to the safety of The Kraken Bar.
With a menu of cocktails inspired by the haunted artworks, as well as burning sage-laced drinks to ward away evil, shell-shocked guests can begin to unwind in the bar, where they’ll also find a tarot card reader and Zoltar machine for further evening thrills.
Art curator, Ruth Millington said: “House of Curses is the most intense exhibition I’ve ever curated. From the legend of The Kraken itself to real-life haunted pieces that have inflicted all manner of terror upon owners and artists, this is a gallery not to be missed – providing you’re brave enough.
”Hauntings, death and horror have been key themes in artwork and objects for millennia and now we’re bringing a variety of those pieces together in one high-risk exhibition this Halloween in Screamfest: House of Curses.”
Tickets for Screamfest: House of Curses cost £10 and include entry and two free drinks, including a welcome drink. The exhibition is live from Thursday 31st October through to Saturday 2nd November at The Vinyl Factory, Soho (51 Poland Street, London W1F 7ND) and guests can select a ticketed session between 5-8pm and 8-11pm*. Free walk-in sessions will be available during the day on Friday and Saturday, however these will not include free drinks.
