Hundreds of objects including a handmade Cosplay costume, quilting, zine-making, embroidery, a homemade jet engine, customised Barbie dolls, collections of surfboards, Star Wars memorabilia and stiletto-heeled shoes feature in this new exhibition. Titled ‘Come As You Really Are’, it runs from 6th December 2025 to 4th February 2026 and celebrates people who dedicate their spare time to their hobbies; from making and modifying to customising and collecting.
‘Come As You Really Are’ is commissioned by arts organisation Artangel and presented in partnership with 13 arts organisations across the UK. It serves as a contemporary portrait of the UK as seen through the lens of the nation’s hobbies. The inaugural exhibition was presented in Croydon in 2024 and has been followed by presentations at partner venues across England, Wales and Northern Ireland throughout this year.
Hetain Patel’s work has always invited us to reflect on identity as multidimensional and complex. For ‘Come As You Really Are’, he extended an invitation to people around the UK, asking them to share the pastimes that form part of their identity.
Director of Artangel
A celebration of hobbies
Artworks by artist Hetain Patel are presented as part of the exhibition alongside objects owned and collected by the artist. At the heart of the project is his new film work, which elevates the outstanding creativity and passion that people put into their hobbies. The film adopts the artist’s trademark approach of combining high-end cinematic production with scenes from the everyday to showcase ephemeral pastimes, such as wild swimming, alongside handcrafted objects in a style usually reserved for Hollywood films and luxury advertising. Also featured is a Spider-Man outfit made by the artist.
Artist Hetain Patel said: “There is a vulnerability in sharing something so personal, which often happens in private spaces around the responsibilities of daily life. But there is also a tremendous power in sharing collectively, which is at the heart of this project. I hope people join us in this celebration of the unstoppable nature of self-expression that is demonstrated by our hobbies.”
Mariam Zulfiqar, Director of Artangel, said: “Hetain Patel’s work has always invited us to reflect on identity as multidimensional and complex. For ‘Come As You Really Are’, he extended an invitation to people around the UK, asking them to share the pastimes that form part of their identity.”
Hetain Patel is an award-winning British-Gujarati artist and filmmaker. Much of his practice is derived from his childhood hobbies and interests, including his lifelong passion for Spider-Man. In 2013, the artist created his first sculpture, Fiesta Transformer, when he converted his car into a real-life Transformer robot with the help of his father. ‘Come As You Really Are’ is Patel’s most ambitious and far-reaching project to date.
Get involved!
On Saturday 6th December Inverness Museum & Art Gallery is inviting the public to enjoy a free gallery tour with Hetain at 1100, where he will explore some of the inspiration behind this expansive, touring exhibition and share insights to his new film work.
During December the museum wants to help Highlanders celebrate their hobbies and would like to invite any clubs or hobby groups to use the ‘Room to Discover’ for meet-ups. Teas and coffees will be provided, and there is no charge for the space. Or feel free to send high-res images of your group to be included in a community gallery exhibition.
Finally, a series of events will take place in January 2026 designed to explore the extensive range of hobbies with hands-on, hobbyist-led workshops, and drop-in sessions for all ages. Full details and booking information available on the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery website soon.
Opening Times:
6th December 2025 - 4th February 2026
Tuesday – Thursday, 1200 – 1600
Friday – Saturday, 1100 – 1600
Want to get involved?
Email Eilidh Combe, Inverness Museum and Gallery’s Community Engagement Officer
