The Last Horror Show, running until 8 December, blends film and visual art, creating an immersive space for the brave to explore what’s unsettling—and why it matters.
Featuring work by Jonathan Baldock, Gina Birch, Xin Chen, Matthew Chesney, Maya Deren, John Humphreys, Elizabeth Alice Keen, Nathaniel Mellors, Justin Simien, Kim Thompson, and Oliver Ventress, this exhibition fosters a dialogue between horror film production and the evocative power of visual art, creating an unsettling experience.
“Horror is a genre defined by slippery emotions and shifting alliances, offering a kaleidoscopic experience for those labelled as real-life monsters. It is thriving today—more mainstream, accepted, and respected than ever.”
- Matthew Chesney, Co-Director of BACKLIT, Co-Curator
By delving into key elements of horror, Jazz Swali and Matthew Chesney offer an immersive experience where visitors can explore the unknown and unknowable, and the emotional responses they elicit.
TNHC Zine Library
Image credit: Joshua Jones courtesy of BACKLIT Gallery
We’re excited to bring a Nottingham Horror Collective Zine Library to BACKLIT for this exhibition. This DIY library brings together past and present editions of our zines, created for horror fans by horror fans who love to explore the raw, visceral heart of the genre. Each issue dives into the genre's layered meanings, offering bold, personal takes from those unafraid to poke at the gooey innards of our shared world.
Image credit: Joshua Jones courtesy of BACKLIT Gallery
“Horror provides a powerful lens to explore themes of identity, diversity, and mental health, aligning directly with our core aims as an organisation. These pillars are at the heart of our curatorial vision, allowing us to engage with them in dynamic and contemporary ways. It is a deeply intersectional genre, offering artists a rich terrain to explore personal and societal issues from different perspectives.”
- Jazz Swali, Co-Curator
The exhibition title draws inspiration from the cult horror comedy The Last Horror Movie (1982), directed by David Winters, featuring special effects by exhibiting artist John Humphreys (Alien Autopsy, 1995), with production assistance from Terry Hunt, co-curator Matthew Chesney’s late grandfather.
The gallery transforms into a haunted space, inviting visitors to engage with works that repel and enchant. Positioned at the intersection of film and art, the exhibition uncovers themes of identity, mental health, humour, and otherness.
“Horror films resonate with my experiences as a disabled person with a life-changing chronic illness in ways other genres can't. Sharing your body with an illness often feels like cohabiting with another being, necessitating an understanding of its needs, desires, and the chaos it brings. Horror uses metaphor to articulate the trauma many with chronic illnesses experience while paradoxically revealing new avenues for humour, resilience, and acceptance.”
- Rosa Davies, Marketing Coordinator and Advocacy
Visit The Last Horror Show
BACKLIT's The Last Horror Show challenges our understanding of fear and its influence on our perception of reality. Don't miss out! It's open Thursdays through Saturdays until 8 December.
Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: By Appointment Only
Thursday: Open 12pm—5pm
Friday: Open 12pm—5pm
Saturday: Open 12pm—5pm
Sunday: Closed