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Rude Britannia

Exhibition of British Comic Art at Tate Britain, 9 June - 5 September

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Gasp, cringe, or have a sly chuckle: Rude Britannia will certainly cause a reaction.

Put together with some the country’s best-known cartoonists and comedy writers, this exhibition explores British comic art from the 1600s to the present day.

Bringing together a wide array of paintings, sculptures, film and photography, as well as graphic art and comic books, the exhibition celebrates a rich history of cartooning and visual jokes.

Looking at comedy that is both timeless and of-its-time, Rude Britannia contrasts contemporary artists such as Angus Fairhurst with key historical pieces, and covers everything from Hogarth to the YBAs.

More information at Tate Britain.


Tate Britain__ is the home of British art from 1500 to the present day. It is one of this department’s __non-departmental public bodies_._

Published 23 July 2012