Holy Pop! at Somerset House celebrates the private shrines dedicated to the biggest idols of pop culture, including Prince, Elvis, and Britney Spears

The Roman Catholic Church possesses a well-defined system for classifying the sanctity of holy relics, a framework that offers a fascinating parallel to the devotional practices of modern pop culture fandom. First-class relics, comprising the mortal remains of saints, like the head of Saint Catherine enshrined in Siena, hold the highest veneration. Second-class relics, objects intimately connected with a saint—such as the Turin Shroud—derive their holiness from proximity. Finally, third-class relics, items brought into contact with first or second-class relics, can retain a spiritual essence even when separated by time and space, exemplified by water from a sacred site. In an increasingly secular society where pop stars are often elevated to saintly status, this hierarchical system provides a compelling lens through which to examine the profound significance attached to pop culture memorabilia and the sites fans consider sacred pilgrimages.

Somerset House in London is currently hosting "Holy Pop!", a groundbreaking exhibition that delves into the quasi-religious devotion characteristic of contemporary fandom. The exhibition meticulously explores the sacred meaning fans imbue in their most cherished pop culture artifacts and charts the evolving geography of holy sites on the global pop culture map. These sites range from the memorial to David Bowie in Brixton and the poignant "grave" of Dobby the House Elf in the Pembrokeshire sand dunes, to the graffiti-adorned headstone of Jim Morrison at Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. "Holy Pop!" presents a captivating array of artworks and beloved objects, including Connor Coulston’s "Notice Me…Take My Hand," a striking piece fashioned from glazed ceramic and neon, conceived as a "Britney Pot." The exhibition also features an extraordinary item: a piece of gum chewed by the legendary Nina Simone, preserved and enshrined by a devoted fan. Alongside these, a collection of devotional objects dedicated to George Michael is displayed, notably a framed photograph of a popular cruising spot on Hampstead Heath, adorned with a diamante inscription: "Take me to the fuck tree."

Tory Turk, the exhibition’s curator, elucidates the exhibition’s core mission: "Holy Pop! goes beneath the surface of fandom to explore the ways that we pay homage to pop stars and cult icons, either through making the physical pilgrimage to grave sites or temporary memorials, or by the careful collections and displays that decorate our homes, tell us about ourselves and feed our spiritual selves, giving us hope as everything else becomes more and more uncertain." Turk’s curatorial approach emphasizes the deeply personal and often spiritual connection fans forge with their idols and the tangible representations of those connections.

The Aura of Objects in a Digital Age

In an era dominated by digital consumption, "Holy Pop!" serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring and profound relationship humans maintain with physical objects. Curator Tory Turk highlights this aspect, stating, "Part of the purpose of the exhibition is to inspire people to not minimise the things that we’ve chosen to keep or we just can’t let go of – the reason that we keep them is because they have the power to transport us back to a time, a feeling. Objects can be imbued with an aura in a way that a digital image can’t be." This sentiment underscores the unique capacity of tangible artifacts to evoke memories, emotions, and a sense of presence that transcends the ephemeral nature of digital media. The exhibition’s commitment to showcasing fan collections alongside established artworks signifies a deliberate effort to elevate the significance of these personal archives.

A significant portion of the items on display are generously loaned from the private collections of dedicated fans. These artifacts are presented with the same meticulous care and reverence typically afforded to fine art within the prestigious setting of Somerset House. For Turk, a fundamental principle guiding the exhibition’s development was the equitable treatment of all objects, regardless of their origin. "I wanted to include artists and non-artists and showcase them as equals to highlight how important the collecting and the preserving of objects is to the documentation of pop culture history," she explains. This inclusive philosophy resonates with the established Catholic relic hierarchy, where proximity to the venerated figure—whether a saint or a pop icon—is paramount. In this context, a piece of Nina Simone’s gum, a direct physical remnant of the artist, could be seen as holding a higher spiritual significance than a mere artistic representation, a testament to the power of direct connection in both religious and fan-based devotion.

The Spiritual Function of Fandom

The exhibition prompts a deeper exploration into why certain cultural figures inspire such profound, almost religious, devotion. Turk elaborates on this phenomenon: "Religion has historically offered a framework whereby you can reflect on your role in the world through prayer, or a reason to come together and to unite, either through visiting religious buildings or singing together or whatever it may be that encourages us to look beyond the beyond the surface of the experience of living in the world, [and consider] what it means to be human. I think worshipping something you’re a fan of serves a similar purpose." This perspective suggests that fandom can fulfill a similar psychological and social function to organized religion, providing a sense of belonging, meaning, and a framework for understanding one’s place in the world.

The need for comfort and the navigation of personal identity are central to the fan experience. Turk continues, "Often with fans, there is a need to feel comfort or navigate your identity through feeling a connection with someone who speaks to your heart and feels ‘like home.’ If it’s Britney Spears and you’re a kid growing up in Greater Manchester navigating your homosexuality, for example, she becomes a tool for escapism because you feel this connection that is bigger than just pop music." This illustrates how idols can become crucial anchors, offering solace, validation, and a sense of shared experience, particularly for individuals navigating complex personal journeys or seeking refuge from societal pressures. The connection transcends mere admiration for talent, becoming a source of emotional support and self-discovery.

The Enduring Legacy of Elvis Presley

The pantheon of pop culture deities would be incomplete without acknowledging Elvis Presley, the artist who largely codified and popularized the archetype of the "rock god." Reports from his era suggest instances of fans literally bringing sick children to the foot of his stage during his Las Vegas shows, seeking his touch for healing. One of the most evocative pieces within "Holy Pop!" is a large, heart-shaped tribute to Elvis, adorned with a sash bearing the iconic lyric, "I can’t help falling in love with you."

Curator Tory Turk initially envisioned Elvis as the focal point upon entering the exhibition: "When I first was developing the exhibition, I actually wanted Elvis to be the first person you saw in the room. Since the 1950s, the post-war era of consumerism is when the world went through so much change and Elvis was riding that wave in so many ways – he went from the Bible Belt of Memphis singing gospel while also going to the ‘dark side’ of rock music." Elvis’s unique trajectory, bridging the sacred and the secular, the traditional and the rebellious, mirrors the complex cultural shifts of his time. Turk further observes his almost messianic status for many fans: "He’s so iconic and is almost like a modern-day Jesus for so many fans. He was anarchic and a lot of the exhibition is quite non-conformist." The inclusion of photographer Hayley Louisa Brown’s project, which documents the "children of Graceland" and the enduring spirit of Elvis’s legacy, highlights the multi-generational nature of his influence, akin to a spiritual lineage being passed down.

Prince: A Cult Icon of Connection

Icons such as Prince have ascended to a near-mystical status, embodying the characteristics of cult leaders within their devoted followings. "Holy Pop!" features an image of the Detroit house-cum-Prince-shrine meticulously curated by house and techno luminary Moodymann (Kenny Dixon Jr.). This is presented alongside a photograph of Emma Hart’s personal shrine dedicated to Prince, a testament to the depth and breadth of his fan base. Turk emphasizes the unifying power of such figures: "It’s all about connection, community, not being a robot, being anti-establishment and connecting with people that talk the same language as you, despite your background."

The exhibition illustrates how Prince, in particular, fostered profound connections across diverse demographics. Turk notes, "Prince touched both of those people in spell-binding ways. Emma, a Jewish lady from North London and Moodymann, a Black producer from Detroit – I’m sure they could have talked for hours about Prince. It connects people in a way that isn’t designed by the establishment or constructed. It’s pure." This notion of "pure" connection, unmediated by external structures, highlights the authentic and deeply personal nature of fandom that "Holy Pop!" seeks to celebrate and explore. The exhibition, by bringing together such varied expressions of devotion, underscores the universal human need for connection, identity, and spiritual fulfillment, often found in the most unexpected of idols.

The Geography of Pop Culture Pilgrimage

"Holy Pop!" meticulously maps out the evolving landscape of fan-made pilgrimage sites. Beyond the well-trodden paths to Graceland or the Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing, the exhibition shines a light on more recent and sometimes unconventional destinations. These include the aforementioned memorials for David Bowie and the fictional Dobby, demonstrating that reverence for pop culture figures is not confined to the deceased or to traditional sacred spaces. The inclusion of these sites acknowledges the fluid and dynamic nature of fandom, where even fictional characters can inspire tangible acts of devotion.

The exhibition’s examination of these sites and objects prompts a broader analysis of their cultural implications. In an age where shared experiences can feel increasingly fragmented by digital isolation, these fan-created shrines and curated collections offer tangible spaces for communal identity and individual solace. They serve as modern-day altars, repositories of memory, and focal points for shared passion, reflecting a deep-seated human inclination towards veneration and the construction of meaning through symbolic association. The exhibition thus offers a compelling commentary on the enduring power of celebrity and the intricate ways in which popular culture continues to shape our spiritual and emotional lives.

Holy Pop! is running at Somerset House until August 9, 2026.