Last Updated on 15. August 2018

On 16th of March the exhibition “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait” and the art installation “Love is a losing game” by Street artist Pegasus opened at the Jewish Museum in Camden. I was able to visit both on the day before the official opening and here are my impressions.

One of Amy's dresses in the entrance area of the "Amy Winehouse: A family portrait" exhibition

One of Amy’s dresses in the entrance area of the “Amy Winehouse: A family portrait” exhibition

Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait

The exhibition “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait” has returned to the Jewish Museum in Camden after being on an international tour in the last years. Many personal items show a very private Amy.  There are many clothes – she really was a petite person – and shoes – she had big feet – and old family pictures. Amy had looked at these pictures shortly before she died. You can listen to a young Amy perform at a school event and you might enjoy her collection of fridge magnets. Compare your favourite songs to those which inspired Amy for many years.

Exhibition space of "Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait"

Exhibition space of “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait”

Dresses and shoes which once belonged to Amy

Dresses and shoes which once belonged to Amy

The accompanying texts to the exhibits were written by Amy’s brother Alex for the opening in 2013. They are all very personal and some will make you smile, e.g. when Alex describes his first reactions to his new baby sister.

Amy's favourite songs on her "chill out"-tape

Amy’s favourite songs on her “chill out”-tape

I had already visited the exhibition in 2013 but enjoyed my second visit a lot. Amy feels so close, as if she is still present, the girl next door and this makes the loss even more tragic.

A normal girl with pink glitter high heels

A normal girl with pink glitter high heels

For the re-opening the museum added some new artefacts. You will find see sketches for Amy’s “Cynthia” tattoo which were donated by her tattooist Henry Hate.

The Jewish Museum in London

Find the exhibition on third floor inside the Jewish museum. Take the Northern Line up to “Camden Town”, from there it’s a max. 10 minutes walk. If you plan to go, don’t forget to visit the other floors in the museum. Learn more about important Jewish holidays, the history of the Jewish faith in Britain (from 1066 until our modern times) and the life of a survivor of Auschwitz.

Pegasus installation “Love is a losing game”

Don’t miss the art installation “Love is a losing game” by street artist Pegasus which is on display on ground floor. The installation is part of the Amy Street Art trail which was funded via crowd-funding. The trail offers 9 pieces of street art which can be found in the streets of Camden. More info about the trail and pictures from each stop in my latest blog post “Amy Winehouse Street Art Trail in Camden“.

Pegasus, the artist behind the installation "Love is a losing game"

Pegasus, the artist behind the installation “Love is a losing game”

Opening for the crowd-funders

End of 2016 I joined a bunch of other people and gave money to make the Street Art trail a reality. As part of my reward I was invited to a private view on the evening before the official opening. Besides Abigail Morris, director of the Jewish Museum, Street artist Pegasus and Amys mother Janis were at the party, too. Pegasus had been a close friend of Amy and got famous with his “fallen angel” graffiti which he made shortly after her death. I had the chance to speak to him. He told me that “Valerie” is his favourite Amy song and that she was a normal girl, “funny but down to earth”. In his installation he shows Amy searching for love. The pictures in Warholian style show Amy with a paintbrush in her hand. She just finished painting the heart behind her while she is “dreaming about a perfect romance”.

Pegasus Installation "Love is a losing game" at the Jewish Museum

Pegasus Installation “Love is a losing game” at the Jewish Museum

A fantastic exhibition and street art installation together with amazing street art in Camden. You HAVE to go and discover for yourself!

The exhibition “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait” is open until 24.09.2017. The installation “Love is a losing game” and the street art trail will be on display until 04.06. only.

The museum is open daily from 10 o’clock but closed on Jewish holidays. Entrance fee is £ 7.50 for an adult in March 2017.

Useful links:

Jewish Museum here

Amy Street Art Trail here

Pegasus Installation here

 

This post is also available in: Deutsch