Edward Enninful explores creativity and culture in Tate Britain’s newly announced exhibition The 90s
“Unafraid, adventurous and naive”: Edward Enninful invites you to experience the unfiltered creativity and community-driven spirit of the 90s.
From October 8th 2026, EE72’s co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Edward Enninful, is heading to the Tate. The first exhibition of it’s kind at Tate Britain, The 90s: Art and Fashion, an exhibition curated by Enninful, tours through the work of tastemakers and creative forces that’ve shaped an iconic decade of British culture. “After the 80s, we were trying to find our voices. The beauty of that era is that we all got to hang out together and we all had the same drive to create something new for our generation,” shares Enninful.
Set to honour a cohort of “unafraid, adventurous, naive” free-thinkers who were “brimming with creativity and all while trying to be heard,” the exhibition features nearly 70 artists, photographers and designers from the decade.
CORINNE DAY ENGLAND’S DREAMING, THE FACE, AUGUST 1993 1993 (C) CORINNE DAY ESTATE.
After the 80s, we were trying to find our voices. The beauty of that era is that we all got to hang out together and we all had the same drive to create something new for our generation.
EDWARD ENNINFUL
WOLFGANG TILLMANS, CONCORDE GRID, 1997 © WOLFGANG TILLMANS, COURTESY MAUREEN PALEY, LONDON.
JUERGEN TELLER, YOUNG PINK KATE LONDON 1998 (C) JUERGEN TELLER, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
NAOMI CAMPBELL MODELS IN VIVIENNE
Prepare to be transported back in time by imagery from pioneering photographers such as Juergen Teller, Nick Knight, and David Sims, and showcases of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. The works of artists such as Damien Hirst and Gillian Wearing are also set to be on display. “There are so many highlights from the exhibition, but what I really love is how interconnected that whole decade was,” Enninful comments. “Lee McQueen’s work sits very well next to Yinka Shonibare, and Sarah Lucas’ sculptures honour the idea of fashion and grunge. Club culture is so important because it shaped all of the people in this exhibition. It is a cross-pollination of creativity.”
Working on this exhibition has brought up lots of fond, happy memories, and nostalgia. But, it also made me realise that the ‘90s weren’t as inclusive as most people thought, and so this exhibition really tries to address that.
EDWARD ENNINFUL
CHRIS OFILI, NO WOMAN NO CRY 1998 © CHRIS OFILI, COURTESY VICTORIA MIRO, LONDON. TATE.
BARBARA WALKER, ATTITUDE 1998. (C) BARBARA WALKER. ALL RIGHT RESERVED, DACS 2026
NICK KNIGHT, DAVID TOOLE 1998, PRINTED 2016. IMAGE COURTESY OF NICK KNIGHT SHOW STUDIO
For some, the exhibition will be an inspiring and informative portal into an era unexplored. For others, such as Enninful, it’s a reflective trip down memory lane. “Working on this exhibition has brought up lots of fond, happy memories and nostalgia. But it also made me realise that the 90s weren’t as inclusive as most people thought, and this exhibition really tries to address that. It also focuses on how the 90s have paved the way for the world we live in today in terms of art and fashion.”
EDDIE OTCHERE METALHEADZ SUNDAY SESSIONS IN THE BLUE NOTE, HOXTON SQUARE 1995–1996 (C) EDDIE OTCHERE
The exhibition is set to run until the 14th of February 2027, and tickets are available now at tate.org.uk
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