The Hodge Podge: A Unique Art Exhibition in Yorkshire
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
May 1, 2026
In the rolling Yorkshire landscape that once inspired Barbara Hepworth’s monumental sculptures, a new exhibition promises to stir the creative pot in unexpected ways. Titled The Hodge Podge, the show — curated by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and his wife, creative consultant Kim Sion — will open at The Hepworth Wakefield on 21 May 2027, running through 31 October 2027.
This marks Cocker’s first major curatorial project at a leading public institution, blending his lifelong passion for the visual arts with Sion’s expertise in creative direction. Far from a conventional group exhibition, The Hodge Podge embraces a stew of influences — its title drawn from the 15th-century Middle English/French “hochepot,” meaning a mixed stew — challenging visitors to reconsider boundaries between high art, outsider expression, popular culture, and everyday creativity.
“The phrase ‘hodge podge’ actually originated in the 15th century… The exhibition provides an opportunity to understand where that creative urge comes from and what it can do for you. You’d be a fool to miss it,” Cocker and Sion declared in their joint manifesto for the project.
Roots in Yorkshire and a Shared Creative Life
Jarvis Cocker, born in Sheffield in 1963, has long maintained a deep connection to Yorkshire. Pulp’s lyrics famously chronicled the quirks of British provincial life with wit and poignancy. Though globally renowned for anthems like “Common People” and “Disco 2000,” Cocker’s artistic interests extend far beyond music. He studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in the early 1990s.
His 2022 exhibition and book Good Pop, Bad Pop at London’s The Gallery of Everything further showcased his fascination with objects, memory, and material culture. Now, returning to his home county, Cocker collaborates closely with Kim Sion, whose work spans fashion, design, and cultural projects. The couple’s partnership brings a personal, domestic lens to curation.
Hepworth Wakefield Artistic Director Laura Smith praised the duo: “Jarvis Cocker has a long-held interest in art… as a Yorkshireman, felt like the ideal person to work with to consider a fresh way of thinking about and experiencing art. The art that he and Kim have gathered together in ‘The Hodge Podge’ will encourage the feelings of joy, marvel and curiosity that great works of art can inspire and offer our audiences an expanded idea of creativity and community.”
An Eclectic Mix: Dialogues Across Time and Media
The Hodge Podge will feature an ambitious roster spanning established contemporary names, modernist giants, and lesser-known visionary and outsider artists never before exhibited in UK public museums. Highlights include works by Peter Doig, Barbara Hepworth, Jeremy Deller, Klara Kristalova, Emma Kunz, Mark Leckey, and Agnes Pelton, alongside the immersive Dreamachine experience.
Expect unlikely juxtapositions: a Hepworth bronze conversing with Deller’s socially engaged projects, or Doig’s dreamlike landscapes echoing Pelton’s spiritual abstractions and Kunz’s geometric visionary drawings. The exhibition will explore themes of alternative spiritualities, psychedelia, fandom, dreams, poetry, and music — interrogating self-expression beyond traditional art world or religious frameworks.
This approach aligns with the Hepworth Wakefield’s mission. Housed in a striking David Chipperfield-designed building overlooking the River Calder, the gallery has built a reputation for thoughtful programming that connects modern and contemporary art with its industrial Yorkshire context.
Cocker has spoken about the democratizing power of culture. In an era of algorithmic echo chambers, The Hodge Podge positions itself as a deliberate antidote — a messy, generous gathering that values intuition, accident, and personal resonance over rigid categories. Sion’s influence is expected to shine through in the exhibition’s spatial design and visitor experience.
Beyond the White Cube: Community, Curiosity, and Legacy
The curatorial process itself embodies the exhibition’s ethos. Cocker and Sion have drawn from personal collections, studio visits, and deep archival dives. This inclusive spirit echoes broader shifts in contemporary curating.
For Yorkshire audiences, the project carries special resonance. Cocker’s return highlights the region’s understated cultural fertility. The exhibition will likely incorporate public programs, workshops, and community engagements.
Art historians note that such cross-disciplinary efforts often yield the most memorable shows. By placing Hepworth’s modernism alongside psychedelic and visionary works, The Hodge Podge may illuminate hidden threads connecting 20th-century abstraction to contemporary explorations of consciousness and identity.
Kim Sion has emphasized the emotional core: creating spaces where visitors feel permission to marvel, question, and connect personally with the art. In a statement, the pair expressed hope that the show expands notions of creativity — not as the preserve of the trained elite, but as a fundamental human impulse accessible to all.
Cultural Significance in a Changing Landscape
As museums worldwide grapple with relevance amid digital distraction and funding pressures, projects like The Hodge Podge offer a model: playful yet rigorous, personal yet universal. Cocker’s celebrity draws new audiences, while the depth of selections ensures critical credibility.
This exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment for British arts. With debates around cultural access and regional equity intensifying, Hepworth Wakefield’s choice signals confidence in broadening appeal without diluting quality.
Cocker’s own artistic evolution — from Pulp’s Britpop heights through solo projects and literary forays — mirrors the exhibition’s hybrid spirit. His lyrics have always found poetry in the mundane; here, he and Sion extend that gaze to the visual realm.
A Stew Worth Savoring
The Hodge Podge promises more than passive viewing. It invites active participation in meaning-making. In Cocker’s characteristically dry wit and Sion’s thoughtful curation, visitors may rediscover the joy of not knowing exactly what they’ll encounter next.
As the art world increasingly values experience alongside objects, this exhibition stands poised to become a landmark — not just for Hepworth Wakefield or Yorkshire, but for how major institutions can foster genuine curiosity and community.
Mark your calendars for May 2027 and support regional arts by visiting The Hepworth Wakefield. Share your thoughts using #HodgePodgeHepworth. Subscribe to the gallery’s newsletter for updates, artist talks, and priority tickets. Creativity thrives when we show up — be part of the stew.
