LONDON.- Snoopy, Charlie Brown and co. have arrived at London’s Somerset House this autumn for an exhibition exploring the world’s most influential comic strip, Peanuts. It is the first significant show on the comic strip, created by American artist Charles M. Schulz, in the UK and Somerset House presents an unparalleled insight into the life and legacy of both Schulz and his beloved creations, with some objects never seen on show before.

GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN! Celebrating Snoopy and The Enduring Power of Peanuts investigates the impact of Peanuts on the cultural landscape globally, from 1950 to the present, and reveals its relevance for readers today.

The premise of Peanuts is ‘big thoughts in little heads’ and the exhibition uncovers the comic strip’s recurring themes of anxiety, failure, love and loss and its commentary on issues such as feminism, racism and war, which resonate as much in 2018 as when they were first printed and have spoken to scores of contemporary creatives in their own work.

Alongside 80 of Charles M. Schulz’s original hand drawings, 20 figures from the worlds of art, fashion and music have contributed works and collections to the exhibition, offering fresh perspectives on the compelling comic strip. Contributors include fashion designer Kim Jones, street artist KAWS, Turner Prize winner Helen Marten and Turner Prize finalist Fiona Banner, artist Ryan Gander and sound artist Mira Calix.

GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN! Celebrating Snoopy and The Enduring Power of Peanuts marks the 70th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s iconic character Charlie Brown (who first appeared in one of Schulz’s earlier strips). Peanuts ran daily from 1950 until 2000, with the prolific artist producing 17,897 strips in total. At its height, it was syndicated to over 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and translated into 21 languages, reaching a readership of 355 million people worldwide.

Schulz’s comic strips are showcased in their original state and size (the biggest are around A1; they were subsequently shrunk for printing and publication), enabling audiences to admire his artwork up close and in detail, with every inky thumbprint and correction marks also laid bare.

Objects belonging to Schulz are on display, as well as original vintage products, publications and correspondence with such figures as Billie Jean King and Hillary Rodham (Clinton), exposing fascinating stories from some of the most momentous times in modern history and proving the power of Peanuts within popular culture.

Testament to this in the exhibition is the very personal and articulate appreciation of Peanuts from contemporary artists and designers, who grew up with the comic strip and incorporated it into their work later in life. From film and fashion to street art and sculpture, all the contributors had previously involved Peanuts in their creative practice, responding to the comic strip’s social, political and philosophical complexities, though half of the artists have produced new pieces especially for the Somerset House exhibition.

Somerset House has also collaborated with the Peanuts Global Artist Collective to create three large-scale light installations by Californian art collaborative FriendsWithYou that illuminate the entrance to the exhibition. The Peanuts Global Artist Collective is a worldwide arts initiative that has engaged seven international artists (André Saraiva X Mr. A, AVAF, FriendsWithYou, Kenny Scharf, Nina Chanel Abney, Rob Pruitt, Tomokazu Matsuyama) to blend Schulz’s signature vision with their own individual styles and mediums. More works by the Peanuts Global Artist Collective feature on a capsule collection, curated by Browns, which is available in the exhibition shop as well as Browns East and Brownsfashion.com