London, UK (July 2026) — The Raw & The Cooked brings together eleven contemporary artists who channel medieval traditions and aesthetics to explore how centuries-old themes of spiritual uncertainty and political upheaval echo in our present-day societal struggles.
There is an undeniable resurgence of the medieval in contemporary art and culture, from the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum this September to medieval re-enactments and ‘medieval core’ fashion. In this way, this period of history is not a mere relic of the past, but a useful tool for examining identity, mythology, folklore and mortality today.
The works in this exhibition expose a cultural shift away from the digital and a return to the physical world of the handmade: media and processes used range from leatherwork, metalwork, and woodwork to painting, ceramics, and even baking.
Through their work, these artists prove that the human impulse to find meaning and community during times of personal and global upheaval remains, casting new light on our relationship with the so-called ‘Dark Ages’.
The artists featured are Emmanuel Awuni, Anna Brass, Simon Callery, Caitlin Hazell, James Lang, Timothy Hon Hung Lee, Harry Jones London, Jessica Luostarinen, Elle Perkins, Jakob Rowlinson, Eva Sajovic.
The exhibition is curated by Harry Jones London (@harryjoneslondon).
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NOTES TO EDITORS
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Open to the public: 7 August – 11 September 2026
Spaces: The Raw & The Cooked will occupy Gallery 3 on the Ground Floor.
Admission: Free admission, no booking required.
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About Saatchi Gallery
Since 1985, Saatchi Gallery has provided an innovative platform for contemporary art. Exhibitions have presented works by largely unseen young artists, or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. This approach has made the Gallery one of the most recognised names in contemporary art. Since moving to its current space in the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea, London, the Gallery has welcomed over 10 million visitors. The Gallery hosts thousands of school visits annually and has over 6 million followers on social media. In 2019 Saatchi Gallery became a registered charity, beginning a new chapter in its history.