On Euston Road, known as the intellectual and scientific heart of London, we find ourselves in a unique venue that blends human nature with art and science: Wellcome Collection. The exhibition “The Coming of Age”, which opened its doors last Thursday and will run until 29 November 2026, puts the inevitable, complex, and deeply personal journey from adolescence to old age under the lens of art.
We are living in an era where one in every ten children in the UK is expected to live beyond 100 years old. But who gets to age well? What does living longer really mean for all of us? This exhibition challenges our established assumptions about the stages of life by asking exactly these existential questions.
120 Works at the Intersection of Art, Science and Life
“The Coming of Age” is not just a visual feast; it is also a space for sociological confrontation. The exhibition explores how our environment, culture, and society shape our experience of ageing, bringing together more than 120 artworks, historical objects, and contemporary pieces.
As you wander between the exhibition walls, you encounter the striking works of contemporary artists who push the boundaries of the human body and old age. Names such as Paula Rego, who narrates the female experience in a powerful language, John Coplans, who documents the fragility and strength of the body, along with Serena Korda, Suzanne Lacy, and Rory Pilgrim, feature in this rich selection. In particular, Anna Maria Maiolino’s famous work ‘Por um fio’ (By a Thread) from her Photopoemaction series (1976/2017) reveals the thin and fragile thread of life with a deeply poetic and unsettling power.
A Fully Accessible Experience for Everyone
One of the most admirable aspects of Wellcome Collection is how it removes all physical and sensory barriers to art. The exhibition is designed with a perfect accessibility network so that every section of society can engage with stories of ageing:
Physical Access: The entire building offers fully step-free access and wheelchair compatibility across all floors.
Auditory and Visual Support: Audio descriptions, British Sign Language (BSL) videos, transcripts, subtitles, and induction loops for hearing aids are available for the works.
Sensory and Cognitive Resources: Large-print guides, visual stories, and sensory access options are provided to visitors. You can also experience the spirit of the exhibition through an online digital highlights tour without even visiting the venue.
This exhibition, which reminds us that ageing is not merely physical decline but a cultural, environmental, and social accumulation, has the power to fundamentally change the way you look at your own future.
