Artists Explore Paranormal and Occult Practices in Response to Social Upheaval

Paranormal investigator John E.L. Tenney observed a significant increase in reports of ghostly activities during the lockdown. The exhibition titled Not Without My Ghosts at London's Drawing Room presents over two centuries of artwork from nearly 30 artists connected to mystical beliefs. Ithell Colquhoun faced expulsion from the British Surrealist Group in 1940 due to her ties with magical societies, while Victorian Spiritualist Anna Mary Howitt embraced spirit art following backlash. Notable contributors include William Blake, Victor Hugo, and Marjorie Cameron. Recent exhibitions, such as the Guggenheim's 2018 showcase of Hilma Af Klint, Oxford's Spellbound, and Tate's acquisition of Colquhoun's archive, have sparked renewed interest. TikTok's #witchtok boasts 5 billion views, with Gen-Z sharing spells, while artist Adam Chodzko and poet CAConrad delve into themes of power and interpretation in their creations.