Beano: The Art Of Breaking The Rules exhibition opens at Somerset House

A new exhibition, Beano: The Art Of Breaking The Rules, has opened at Somerset House in central London to commemorate 70 years since Dennis the Menace first featured in the Beano comic book series. The event runs from 21 October - 6 March.

A number of fiction writers, musicians, and visual artists have contributed to the exhibition, including artist and lifelong Beano fan, Andy Holded, curator of the event.

The exhibition aims to create a “life-size version” of the comic and events for up to 100 guests can take place at the epicentre of the real-life Beanotown in the Embankment Galleries, surrounded by the comic’s other characters Minnie the Minx, Bananaman, Gnasher and the Bash Street kids.

Original artefacts have been taken from the Beano archives to feature alongside new works of art from street artists such as Mark McGowan, Bedwyr Williams, Cory Arcangel.

The event will feature a virtual catapult that slings rotten tomatoes at some of the world’s most recognisable pieces of art. Guests can also choose a track for the show on the jukebox compiled by Bob Stanley from indie dance-band St. Etienne.

Artist Nicola Lane has created a new strip for the show re-imagining Dennis as a 70-year-old and Peter Liversidge, whose patchwork of signs thanking the NHS and keyworkers went viral last year, invites viewers into his interactive workspace.

Images: Stephen Chung for Somerset House