Miranda Worby from Suffolk has turned her childhood love for My Little Pony toys into a massive collection of over 4,000 ponies. Her dedication to collecting these toys led her and her partner to move to a bigger house with a dedicated room to display them all. Now, Miranda’s collection is one of the main attractions at the Come As You Really Are exhibition in Croydon, south London.
The exhibition, organized by arts organization Artangel, showcases various hobbies and passions of people across the UK. From Cosplay costumes to micro-ceramics and even a collection of 2,000 carrier bags, the exhibition features over 14,000 objects. Artist Hetain Patel, who was commissioned by Artangel, created three Spider-Man outfits and a Transformers-style robot car for the exhibition.
Zahra Nadeem from Rochdale is another hobbyist whose work is on display at the exhibition. She creates intricate artwork on her nails, including designs like a car, a 3D spider, and Spider-Man. Despite never imagining her hobby would be featured in a gallery, Zahra is thrilled to see her work showcased.
The exhibition also features collectors like Ken Ford, who has a collection of vintage carrier bags representing lost shops from the past, and Jenny Kleran, who recreates classic British food brands using painted pebbles. Additionally, Eleanor Roberts, a medical writer and neuroscientist, displays her capes as a form of therapy on days when her disability prevents her from working.
The Come As You Really Are exhibition celebrates the creativity and passion of individuals across the UK, highlighting the diverse and unique hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment to people’s lives.
