Coming Up … The House of Annie Lennox – V&A

This display in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Galleries will explore the creativity, image and style of Annie Lennox, one of the world’s most renowned female performers. Conceived and created in collaboration with Annie Lennox, this display will bring together over 50 objects, costumes and music videos from her personal archive to explore and reveal elements of the inspiration behind her artistry.

The installation will be designed around the concept of a ‘House’, providing a visual journey through different facets of Lennox’s creativity. Objects on show will include accessories and costumes, such as the Union Jack suit worn at the 1999 Brit Awards, and the sequinned evening dress worn in the Little Bird music video. There will be handwritten lyrics, music manuscripts, personal treasures and a selection of awards ranging from the GRAMMYs to an Oscar. Ephemera from the political causes Lennox has championed such as the SING campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness will also be on display.

The House of Annie Lennox will host immersive video projections choreographed by Lennox herself, as well as music videos of her solo work and those created and performed with Dave Stewart as Eurythmics. A selection of interviews recorded throughout her career, and an original V&A film of Lennox in conversation, will examine her sources of inspiration and her thoughts on songwriting and the creative process. A collection of over a dozen, well-known images of Lennox by acclaimed photographers including Paolo Roversi, Pamela Hanson and Satoshi Saikusa will also be displayed, illustrating something of the breadth of Lennox’s changing visual representation across the four decades of her career.

On working with the V&A Annie Lennox said: “I’m thrilled and delighted at the prospect of presenting ‘The House of Annie Lennox’ at the V&A. Even as a building itself, the Museum is one of the most wonderful treasures in the UK, and that’s even before you start to look at its contents. I particularly appreciate the V&A’s visionary approach in embracing popular culture and new technology. My display will be an overview and insight into the main archive of my work over the last few decades. I’m truly honoured that it will be ‘Housed’ at the V&A!”