Simon Costin

Simon Costin is an artist, art director, designer and curator - and genuinely one of the most fascinating people we have ever met.  In a career full of highlights, he famously collaborated extensively with Alexander McQueen, featured in films by Derek Jarman, and his artwork resides in the permanent collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

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His lifelong passion for folk traditions resulted in the Museum of British Folklore, which aims to establish the UK's first ever centre devoted to researching and exhibiting the UK's rich folkloric cultural heritage. At a time when the collections of many museums are being re-evaluated in light of their colonial roots and often uncomfortable provenance, the Museum of British Folklore project presents an overlooked opportunity to celebrate Britain's homegrown cultural treasures.

 

In 2023 the museum launched a new exhibition at Compton Verney in Shropshire. Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain is the first exhibition dedicated to the costumes and disguises which play a pivotal role in the folk customs of the UK. The exhibition has received brilliant reviews, and will move to London later in the year.

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Simon is also the Director of The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, which was gifted to him on 31 October 2013 by then-owner Graham King. Simon is developing the museum to reflect Britain's long-held traditions of magical practice, ancient and modern.

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Simon will give two talks at this year's festival, one on the Museum of British Folklore (which will include aspects of the Making Mischief exhibition) and one on the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic - a special treat for this year's folk horror theme!

 

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