Joy and Tranquillity

Wellcome Collection launched On Happiness in 2021, a season of free events, activities and two exhibitions—Joy and Tranquillity—bringing together voices from across the cultural, scientific and spiritual fields to reflect on the elusive subject of happiness.

In this period of great instability, escalating infectious diseases, ecological concerns and rising levels of anxiety and depression worldwide, Wellcome Collection examined the ways in which people find resilience, hope and even joy, at times of duress. In response to seismic political and social upheavals On Happiness asked; how might we rebuild happiness for our current times?

From serenity to ecstasy, awe to comfort, happiness encompasses many different feelings and has perplexed scholars for centuries. There has long been debate around the role of emotions, where they come from and how they are expressed, and whether they are innate or acquired, universal or culturally specific. Reflecting on the connections between these complex emotions, our bodies and health, On Happiness will offer audiences an opportunity to rethink how we feel good.

At the heart of the On Happiness season were the concurrent exhibitions Joy and Tranquillity, which considered different routes to experiencing these positive feelings. From the uplifting sensations of dancing and laughter to the calm of being in nature and diary writing, the exhibitions will consider the effects of emotion on our self and others. Newly commissioned works and multi-sensory installations by contemporary artists including Jasleen Kaur, Chrystel Lebas, Harold Offeh, Amalia Pica, Stefanie Posavec and David Shrigley were displayed alongside historic objects dating back to the 15th century from Wellcome’s collection. The exhibitions considered ideas from different schools of thought, including neuroscience, religion and psychotherapy, offering perspectives on the connections between emotions and health.  

In addition to the exhibitions, the season offered a varied programme beyond the museum and online. Stefanie Posavec’s interactive digital commission and playful wellbeing questionnaire Updating Happiness invited participants to submit their answers to a growing archive of definitions of happiness. An audio guide and podcast brought together interdisciplinary voices to explore the season's themes. On Happiness also included Harold Offeh’s live dance-a-thon Joy Inside Our Tears; digital stories exploring happiness through the ages; artist in conversations, amongst many other free events and activities.

Joy and Tranquillity are co-curated by Laurie Britton Newell and George Vasey as part of Wellcome Collection’s On Happiness season.

The digital guide to the exhibition, including audio contributions from Joshua Virasami, Rumya Putcha, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Raymond Antrobus, Robin Dunbar and Slynne Segal can be found HERE