False Idol: Sian Fan

An exhibition by Somerset House Studios artist Sian Fan exploring how magic, mysticism and worship co-exist within our highly mediated, consumer-driven world. Drawing on myths, folklore, and storytelling traditions found in contemporary gaming and popular culture, Fan highlights how spirituality persists in unexpected and often overlooked spaces. Suspended garments, sound, and a live performance by the artist on Thursday 14 May create a ritual setting where body, costume, and image converge. Through these elements, Fan both invokes and unsettles the idea of the artist as a mystical authority. By working with artificial materials and references drawn from contemporary digital pop culture, False Idol reflects on how experiences of magic and belief continue within today’s manufactured media landscape.