Robbie Williams' willingness to lay himself bare makes his art collection a fascinating insight into a life in the spotlight

News

By Georgia Coggan published 20 hours ago

The success is in the storytelling.

(Image credit: Moco Museum)

Robbie Williams is an artist now, in case you missed it. His latest collection – Radical Honesty – launched on Thursday, and I went along to the event to see how one of the most iconic pop acts of the last 30 years has made the transition into a very different type of art. The answer is: successfully, but it's the fusion of celebrity, culture and Robbie himself that enables his art to flourish. By this I mean that Robbie firmly puts himself at the centre of his art – and that is what makes it fascinating to anyone invested in either his own struggle and story, or those interested in the impact of the very specific culture of pop stardom that has encompassed the last era of music.

Recent documentaries have focused on the journeys of boybands (Louis Theroux's Mindhouse Productions produced Boybands Forever, an exposing look at the deep trauma and impact of this type of fame – and indeed Louis was at the launch of the Radical Honesty collection), so Robbie's venture into art that portrays the emotional journey that results from this has come at a timely moment.

(Image credit: Future)

Robbie's art is mixed media, influenced by bold styles including pop art and street, and retains the cheeky personality of the artist himself. It is as much designed to entertain as to provoke serious contemplation, even though it deals with some pretty heavy issues around mental health – and how Robbie views the darkest parts of himself. Words like "narcissistic, anxious and paranoid" appear, set alongside funny one-liners. It's a collection that shows the complexities of Robbie's character – the showman against the rawness of his inner self.

At the heart of the artwork is storytelling. It's another way for Robbie to tell the story of fame, self and struggle – one without the constraints of melody, lyricism and public perception of a long career built in one medium. It's not fine art, but that's not the point – reflection on popular culture doesn't call for it, and what Robbie has created is a fitting medium for messaging around the effect of fame in a tabloid era. It's splashy and tactile whilst being touching.

(Image credit: Future)

The concept is key with this collection, and Robbie's (dare I say) simple, relatable, approachable and personality-filled expression of these concepts is fitting with the 'on to the next' period of pop culture he has embodied. There's something charming about the format, and a feeling you're getting straight to the point – or the heart – of the man but without navel-gazing introspection.

However, Robbie quipped about commercialising the art in the pre-show speech, citing his "aspirationally-priced prints" (a sentiment repeated in this recent interview in The Times, if you missed it). This is telling – Robbie seems willing to admit that despite all of the soul-searching and authentic storytelling, this is also an extension of his brand that is ripe for making money. Does this mean it is brand-meets-art in all senses? From Robbie's story and career being at the centre of the intrigue, and the commercial opportunities it may present. Or is this a way of a self-declared "insecure" man making light of a new venture he is braced for criticism over? Either way, Robbie's ability to put his whole self out there is bold and brave, and I very much enjoyed it.

Robbie Williams on success, cocaine, trauma — and finally growing up

I just noticed that this exhibition also will be in Barcelona since June.

Fingers crossed - I have a plan to be there for Rob's concert so then will try to reach the Moco too. I hope so! 🤞 🙏

10 hours ago, Better Man said:

I just noticed that this exhibition also will be in Barcelona since June.

Fingers crossed - I have a plan to be there for Rob's concert so then will try to reach the Moco too. I hope so! 🤞 🙏

Hope it works out for you Alex .. 🙏

On another matter the Guardian yesterday gave the exhibition a really horrible/negative review which does not surprise me really as recently they seem to stick the boot in at every opportunity. Therefore in terms of balance & fairness I decided NOT to post the article & give them any more attention than they deserve. 😅😅😅

Edited May 7May 7 by Sydney11

Robbie Williams unveils Radical Honesty at Moco Museum

2^nd May 2025

Sara Belkadi

Robbie Williams has had a career spanning music, film and now art. Swapping pop for paint, on Thursday evening, he unveiled his latest in a long line of fine art. His newest work, Radical Honesty, is a deeply personal solo exhibition at Moco Museum in London. Fans began queuing from the early hours, just hoping to catch a glimpse of him. When he finally arrived – walking the pink carpet hand-in-hand with his wife, Ayda Field – he was met with roaring screams before ascending to the main show.

Perched above Moco’s collection of Basquiats and Koonses, Radical Honesty is a reflection of Williams’s inner life. One of the first works visitors encounter is a painting of the artist looking into a mirror. In loopy blue handwriting, the canvas reads: “I forgive you for being a dickhead, you twat.” Then, in smaller script: “We still need to work on this.” Nearby, another piece features Williams practising small talk in the mirror, trying out lines that “won’t sound insane”, ultimately settling on: “Smelt anything cool lately?” This portion of the display was focused on morning affirmations, with Williams explaining that “words become rituals and affirmations can shape reality”.

Language is key throughout the exhibition. Every piece features text, whether it’s painted, sewn or chiselled in stone, perhaps a residual connection to Williams’s songwriting roots. However, these words aren’t polished lyrics, they’re nervous, raw and darkly funny. One sculpture, a gravestone, reads simply: “I’m dead now, please like & subscribe.” Some attendees remarked that there was a Gen Z-esque self-deprecation to the works. Yet, it feels authentic –Williams is self-aware enough to be able to poke light at himself, the industry and wider culture. 

That voice runs through much of the show. You could particularly feel this in his Emotion Sweater piece. From far away, it’s a life-sized hype-beast jumper covered in logos, up close, a threadbare exposition of inner emotion, with words like “Empathetic”, “Narcissistic” and “Anxious”, scrolled across. The piece alongside it takes sharing what’s on the inside a bit more literally. A huge hoodie with patches like: “Halcion Ozempic”, “Morphine Lemsip” and “Zolpidem Valium”, all sewn on like pockets. 

Williams has publicly spoken about his anxiety. This exhibition acts as an open letter, detailing his relationship with it. Or rather, her. Williams has named his anxiety and encourages viewers to as well. In a large-scale painting of a kooky-old-lady type, he wrote, “Give your anxiety a silly name. Mine is called Blanche. This is Blanche,” accompanying which is a Greco-Roman style bust of Blanche herself. Turning his fear into a muse, and his hand to sculpture, for the first time in his fine art career. 

Despite the crowd of press, industry figures and celebrity supporters – such as documentarian Louis Theroux – the evening felt grounded. Conversations about vulnerability washed over the room, as did the alcohol free champagne. Celebrity art can often feel detached or gimmicky, but Radical Honesty doesn’t try to impress. Instead, it invites viewers into the messy, awkward, self-deprecating world of someone still figuring things out. No matter who you are, there is something to relate to in Radical Honesty. 

Williams has always been a multitude of things: pop star, actor, fascination of the British press. Here, he is something new: simply a man trying to be honest. 

★★★★★

Sara Belkadi
Photos:

Robbie Williams: Radical Honesty is at Moco Museum from 2^nd May 2025. For further information or to book, visit the exhibition’s website here.

Robbie Williams unveils Radical Honesty at Moco Museum – The Upcoming

Edited May 7May 7 by Sydney11

Sam Pope

@sampopewriter

·

May 6

Reading this eviscerating review of Robbie Williams' exhibition in the Guardian

I immediately thought of celebrities who write children's books and are promoted to the hilt by publishers. Somehow, the writers don't get the same level of stick as Williams is getting here.

Why is this? Is it because children's literature isn't considered as serious an art form as modern art? Some celebs can write, others can't, but I feel children's literature is becoming cheapened by many famous people publishers feel they can earn a big, quick buck from. Perhaps we need to see a more honest review like this of some of the more blatant offenders. Part of the reason why I stopped being a children's librarian was because I was becoming disillusioned with the tripe being marketed at children (not just from celebs). They deserve better.

Sam Pope (@sampopewriter) / X

I have rarely read something that jealous and rude like the Guardian reviewer of Rob's art. What is this guy thinking? Unbelievable.

This is a really nice post ❤️ ( video in link )

https://www.instagram.com/lucyandlittle/

AD / Gifted – We were kindly invited to the Moco Museum in London to see the Robbie Williams exhibition – and while it’s a small collection, it packs such a powerful punch.

I grew up singing Take That and Robbie with my mum, so there was definitely a nostalgic pull. But what really hit me were the pieces around anxiety and identity. You can feel how personal and vulnerable it is – it’s not just about fame, it’s about being human. I found myself really relating to a lot of it.

If you’re in London, I’d definitely recommend popping in. The Moco is full of bold, modern art across three floors – but this exhibit especially left a mark on me. #moco #mocomuseum #takethat #robbiewilliams @mocomuseum @robbiewilliams

https://www.instagram.com/kayacheyennee/

A day with the one I love and the things we love 🫶 art, silliness, sunshine and six years 🥹

Explored the bold and brilliant world of Museum London — where art pushes boundaries and imagination runs wild. From Banksy’s rebellious stencils to KAWS’ pop-infused sculptures, Picasso’s iconic forms to George Condo’s twisted portraits, every room was a visual thrill.

Also, really unique to see Robbie Williams’ “Radical Honesty.”

A raw, deeply personal journey through identity, fame, and vulnerability. Stripped of ego and full of truth — it’s Robbie as you’ve never seen him before.

Art that confronts, connects, and stays with you.

A must-visit for anyone who loves art that says something.

#MocoMuseum #RobbieWilliamsNews #Banksy #KAWS #Picasso #GeorgeCondo #ad

The "Hello I'm" mug collection is very funny

Hello I'm... | Shop | 1882 Ltd

Which one did you win Laura ☺️, I cannot quite remember !

The Pope Wall Piece | Jesus & The Pope | 1882 Ltd

The Pope Sculpture | Jesus & The Pope | 1882 Ltd

Jesus Wall Piece | Jesus & The Pope | 1882 Ltd

Jesus Sculpture | Jesus & The Pope | 1882 Ltd

Edited May 19May 19 by Sydney11

With Radical Honesty, Robbie Williams is making an exhibition of himself

May 27, 2025 · By Craig McLean

The legendary singer-songwriter Robbie Williams has turned his hand to visual art, with a humorous, pop art-inspired body of work that reflects on fame, addiction and social anxiety. But the last thing he wants is to be taken seriously.

In the glitzy galleries of Moco Museum London, a shiny new space by the traffic-clogged vortex-cum-roundabout of Marble Arch, the singer-songwriter-provocateur Robbie Williams has splurged his innermost thoughts and outermost scribbles. Radical Honesty is the first major showing of the pop star’s “art” (Robbie would be OK with the quote marks).

They’re rendered via iPad drawings, wall scrawls, wonky spelling and wayward punctuation, giant executive toys, greetings-card aphorisms on Athena-size posters, and outsized comfort knitwear (bear with us here). All that and an actual tombstone, placed on astroturf on the floor, for the artist formerly known as the most rewarded musician in the history of the BRIT Awards. The epitaph of Robert Peter Williams, age 51, of Stoke-on-Trent? “I’m dead now please like and subscribe”.

The results aren’t always pretty. Robbie Williams would be OK with that, too. “Before party practising conversation topics that wont sound insane,” run the runes on one wriggly Shrigley self-portrait of this sober anti-socialite as he gazes into the bathroom mirror. “‘Smelt anything cool lately?’”

“I forgive you for being a Dickhead. You twat,” begins another reflected image of a tatted and vested Robbie. “OK, we still need to work on this.”

These convos-with-self are the outward manifestations of the inner turmoil of a father of four with the mother of all neuroses.

“Violets are blue, roses are red, lock the pill cabinet or I’ll steal your meds,” this once-and-forever addict writes under a thirsty Hirst-y medicine cabinet.

“Just because you’re dyslexic doesnt mean youre not stupid,” he’s felt-penned onto a mixtape. “Give your anxiety a silly name. Mine is called Blanche,” he writes over a black and white doodle of a wild-haired granny. “This is Blanche.”

As he revealed in 2023’s wars’n’warts’n’all Netflix documentary series Robbie Williams, this gazillion-selling pop star and hero to a generation (or two) wrestles with “dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, neurodiversity, body dysmorphia, hypervigilance… There’s a new one that I acquired recently: HSP. Highly sensitive person. Post-traumatic stress disorder. And, obviously, I have an addictive personality.”

Hence Radical Honesty’s Emotion Sweater, capacious enough even for the head of the world-wobbling talent with a 1999 album called the The Ego Has Landed. It’s an artwork in which he wears his superpowers embroidered on its sleeve and chest: “Anxious”; “Narcissistic”; “Paranoid”; “Resilient”; “Proud”; “Shame”. You get the turmoiled picture.

Another piece of clobber is an equally XXXXL hoodie. “Robbie Williams sews his story into Prescribed Identity Hoodie,” explains the accompanying descriptor, “an oversized statement on addiction and self-medication. Typically tucked away in secrecy, these addictions can expose the ingredients to a carefully tailored persona, a means of self-soothing, self-medicating, and, at times, self-preserving, with multiple pockets, each bearing the name of a prescription drug.” Ozempic, Ambien and Xnax, oh my!

And so on. Radical Honesty—hanging (out) at Moco until October—is, like last year’s marvellous monkey-biz biopic Better Man, both larky nonsense and poignantly powerful. For the man himself, staring down the barrel of a stadium tour (another one) that takes him all round Europe from this month until deep into autumn, the art’s function is clear. Better out than in.

“First of all,” I say to Robbie when we sit down together in a room in Moco’s basement, shortly before doors open on Radical Honesty’s Private View, “tell me about your balls.”

“Which ones?” says the taking-the-piss-artist, clear-eyed and gym-fit, perking up immediately.

I tell him I mean the giant clacking steel spheres in the gallery upstairs.

“Oh, yeah! I’m really happy with them. Because [it means] I’ve got a sculpture,” he says proudly, leaning forward and toying with the iPad that contains many of his (literally) daily drawings. “Is that a sculpture. Is that what it is?”

I think we can agree it’s a sculpture.

“It’s a hefty thing. It’s heavy. It came out of my brain. And if I do say so myself, I think the idea is quite smart. There’s them and there’s us, isn’t there? And look, we’re just in the middle, at the end of the day. Two sides of the same coin, et cetera, et cetera. But smarter than that.”

What is Radical Honesty?

Radical Honesty is a series of drawings that I’ve done. When it’s out there, it looks as though I’m saying: “I’m radically honest, and so should you be.” I’m actually taking the piss. The Radical Honesty series of drawings that I’ve done are things that I think in my head that I would never say out loud. So my radical honesty isn’t that radical. Isn’t that radically honest?

Did you always have these visual art impulses?

This is a late blooming thing. From when I used to live in Notting Hill and I went to the art supply store and just bought shitloads of everything, and thought I was going to do collage, and then I did, and it was shit. But it went up in the Tate! It’s not my fault. It did go up in the Tate, the very first thing that I made, obviously, ’cause I’m Robbie Williams. And Peter Blake owns it.

Did you get some cash for that?

No, no, no, no, no. I bought something from him, and he gave me the W.C. Fields [cardboard cut-out] from the Sgt. Pepper album cover. So it’s not even a fair swap. Anyway, this has been a process, probably since before 2006. And here I am now trying to be witty. Or at least doing things that make me titter.

Finally having them out in the in the world, after all these years of secretly doing “art”, does that speak of confidence, boredom, a mixture of both, something else…?

I think it speaks of there being [lots of ideas]. I’ve got 3000 of these ideas, and they just keep coming every day. There’s a proper backlog of them. And I suppose [it speaks of] feeling brave enough to show people, and thinking maybe they should exist in other places, other than on my iPad or in my garage.

How serious do you want people to take it?

Dude, I’m Robbie Williams. I’ve been in the [music] industry since I was 16. They’re not going to start taking me seriously now. I just want them to buy it! I gave up on wanting to be taken seriously…. last week! [No,] a while ago, let’s put it that way.

But you have to understand that a lot of my early education informed my later life, too. I was a pop person in a pop band that just got in the car and turned up. I took that into my solo career, too. I didn’t realise you could make your own album covers, as stupid as that sounds. I didn’t realise you could make your own merchandise. I didn’t realise that you’d want to. So I’m still learning.

Robbie Williams

You recently said “I hope my stuff is ridiculous”. Presumably you yourself don’t want to be ridiculous, but you don’t mind the art being seen that way?

I think I want to…. You know, all of my heroes, I suppose, are comedic more than musical. My dad was and is a comedian. And I would like to generate a titter in somebody’s mind. If I can make them actually verbalise that titter, then that’s a victory. So I suppose this is my version of stand-up comedy.

Who are your art heroes or inspirations?

All of the traditional pop art people. There’s nobody off the beaten track that I know. I’m not a student of the game, as Roy Keane would mockingly say. There is no art history degree. I don’t know all of their names. I don’t know if I’d recognise a Magritte from a Renoir. I’m not that person. Much like when I left Take That and I was asked about my musical credentials. I don’t know Buffalo Springsteen’s album [sic] [and wink]. I didn’t listen to it! [My attitude was:] “I just like f***ing music, f*** off!” I like images.

What do your kids make of your art?

They are intrigued by it. They want to make their own.

Is your eldest Teddy, going: “Mate, I could do better than that?”

Yeah, she is, and she will. And my son [Charlie, 10] is drawing his own and trying to come up with his own jokes too. But his own jokes normally revolve around him coming up to me and going: “Daddy, is it OK if I swear?” And me going: “Yeah, OK.” And then him misspelling “narcissist” over a drawing of me.

That sounds like a great piece, we need to get that up in a gallery.

It is! I’ve got it somewhere.

Is that Radical Honesty 2: Robbie’s Kids Speak?

Yeah, it’s how they see me.

The Prescribed Identity Hoodie: can you unpack, unpick or, even, unravel that for me?

Can you? Yeah, no, I can’t really. I’m actually doing a line of clothing, and it was going to be a hoodie. And I thought: “Wouldn’t it be funny if all the pockets were advertising antidepressants or anxiety medication?” That’s it. That is it. If you want to delve further into that, then please do. But for me, it was just: “Wouldn’t it be funny if…”

… if all your drugs were available on your body at the same time?

Yeah! Legal drugs these days, of course, kids.

Is there a crossover with your merchandise for your imminent tour?

Yes! Yes, which we need to do… [Robbie looks questioningly at his management perched nearby] So can we get a move on?

Imagery allied with music also still matters to you, it seems…

More than ever now. But you have to understand that a lot of my early education informed my later life, too. I was a pop person in a pop band that just got in the car and turned up. I took that into my solo career, too. I didn’t realise you could make your own album covers, as stupid as that sounds. I didn’t realise you could make your own merchandise. I didn’t realise that you’d want to. So I’m still learning.

But to be fair, pop bands–especially boy bands–didn’t have that agency. Certainly in the Nineties, they generally weren’t given the power by labels to have a visual input. It was just: crank out the tunes, crank out the gigs – and we’ll cream off the cash.

Yeah, but I also think that [musicians] didn’t know they could or should. You just turned up with the tunes, and that’s your bit done. Then everybody else does everything else. Unless you want to. And I want to, now.

Radical Honesty, Moco Museum London. Tickets here. Robbie’s tour stars in Edinburgh on 31^st May. 

Main image: Marc Roses

 

A Rabbit's Foot With Radical Honesty, Robbie Williams is making an exhibition of himself - A Rabbit's Foot

Edited May 27May 27 by Sydney11

Ceramics designed by Robbie Williams on display in Hanley from today

By Jordan Edwards 12th Jun 2025

Four of Robbie Williams' designs will go on display at the Potteries Museum after being brought to life by 1882 Ltd. (1882 Ltd.)

Robbie Williams has created four imaginative ceramic artworks that will go on display in Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate the city's centenary. 

The pieces, inspired by two of Robbie's drawings of Jesus and the Pope, were brought to life by Barlaston-based ceramics brand 1882 Ltd.  The artworks will be showcased alongside 60 specially commissioned plates designed by artists including Zandra Rhodes, Bruce McLean and Barber & Osgerby in an exhibition titled '100 Years, 60 Designers & 1 Future'. 

The display will open on Thursday 12 June at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. 

This is the latest artistic endeavour for Robbie who also has an art exhibition 'radical honesty' currently open at Moco Museum in London.

Robbie said: "I have made some of my art out of clay with 1882 Ltd - and it looks amazing.  "The pottery industry has given me and my people a sense of identity, a sense of pride. "Clay built our city. Having it on display in the Fine Art Gallery at the Potteries Museum on the Centenary of our city makes total sense."

The exhibition is the brainchild of 1882 Ltd owner and fifth-generation member of the Johnson Brothers family, Emily Johnson. 

Other specially commissioned plates will be on display at the Potteries Museum. (1882 Ltd)Other specially commissioned plates will be on display at the Potteries Museum. (1882 Ltd)

The 60 plates in the exhibition will be auctioned off once it finishes with proceeds going towards an apprenticeship scheme and 15% of the proceeds will be reserved for QUEST to fund a Saturday Club for school children in the city to work with clay. 

Emily said: "We are so incredibly proud to be showing Robbie's work in the heart of where it was made and where we are from.  

"Robbie is an audacious visionary and it has been a joy to work with him and bring his artwork to life - a true meeting of the minds of Stokies – and so to show it in the Fine Art Gallery of the Potteries Museum is completing the circle.

"We have also curated 60 incredible artists and designers who have donated a piece of artwork - whether an illustration or drawing, painting, creative graphic -their brilliance and generosity just shows the love and support for our incredible industry and our amazing Potters. 

"This is a wonderful, life-enhancing and inspiring project."

Since its formation 13 years ago, 1882 Ltd has championed bold design, collaborating with leading artists and designers to highlight the city's pottery industry.

------

Ceramics designed by Robbie Williams on display in Hanley from today | Local News | News | Stoke Nub News | by Jordan Edwards