Loyle Carner
Music, art and mental health collide in a raw, honest exhibition curated with Loyle Carner.
To mark the release of his second studio album, Not Waving, But Drowning, British rapper and activist Loyle Carner curated a week-long art exhibition at House of Vans in London. The exhibition brought together works by renowned artists including Damien Hirst and The Connor Brothers, alongside intimate contributions from Carner’s friends and family, notably his mother Jean, who also features on the album.
Title
Not Waving, But Drowning - An Exhibition by Loyle Carner
Curated by
Ryan Stanier, Jess Chow
Venue
House of Vans, London
Client/Partner
Loyle Carner / House of Vans
Beneficiary Charity
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Concept
The exhibition was designed as a deeply personal extension of the album’s themes - vulnerability, masculinity, mental health, and love. It blurred the boundaries between music and visual art, creating a space that reflected Carner’s multifaceted identity as an artist, son, and activist.
By showcasing both high-profile names and grassroots creatives, the show celebrated the connections between art, community, and emotional honesty. The exhibition closed with a charitable auction of selected artworks, with 100% of proceeds donated to CALM, a UK-based charity focused on suicide prevention among men.
Objectives
- To create a multi-disciplinary platform for promoting Not Waving, But Drowning
- To spotlight visual art by a diverse range of contributors, from established artists to family members
- To raise awareness and funds for CALM and open up public conversations around mental health and masculinity
- To offer fans a more intimate and immersive look into the themes behind the album
Outcomes
- Strong media coverage across arts, music, and culture platforms
- High attendance throughout the week-long run
- A successful auction with all proceeds benefiting CALM
- Strengthened Loyle Carner’s profile as a socially conscious and creatively multidimensional artist
Thinking about introducing art into your space?
From homes to workplaces to social spaces, art has the power to shift how environments are seen, felt and remembered.
If you’re shaping a space and exploring the role art could play, we’d love to hear from you.
