'Boxed: Fabulous Coffins' Exhibition To Run At The Southbank Centre

Crazy Coffins

First Posted: 13/01/12 13:23 GMT Updated: 13/01/12 16:01 GMT

Death has long been a favourite subject of artists, from William Blake’s tortured ‘wicked man’ to Picasso’s dear Casagemas.

What it’s rarely the subject of, however, is an artist’s sense of humour.

But a forthcoming exhibition at London’s Southbank Centre is set to prove that, to some people at least, ‘the final curtain’ doesn’t have to be a depressing affair.

Boxed: Fabulous Coffins from UK and Ghana is a collection of bespoke tombs designed to reflect the departed’s joy in life.

They’re created by Crazy Coffins in Nottingham and the famous Paa Joe workshop in Ghana, where personalised coffins are extremely popular.

It’s a chance to see the weird and wonderful array of boxes people have selected to lie in for all eternity – from skateboards to ballet shoes to a wingless Angel Of The North.

What would you request as your very own coffin? Let us know below!

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(Photo credit: Vic Fearn & Company Ltd and Crazy Coffins)

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Death has long been a favourite subject of artists, from William Blake’s tortured ‘wicked man’ to Picasso’s dear Casagemas. What it’s rarely the subject of, however, is an artist’s sens...
Death has long been a favourite subject of artists, from William Blake’s tortured ‘wicked man’ to Picasso’s dear Casagemas. What it’s rarely the subject of, however, is an artist’s sens...
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10:06 PM on 01/29/2012
im being spread on the bird next doors cornflakes .would love to go through her one last time
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Barbara Longstaff
07:38 PM on 01/29/2012
It would not make any difference to me, I would be dead anyway so not my worry. I am going to be cremated much better and cleaner then my ashed scattered. My ashes shall travel all over in the wind that is when I will do my travelling lol.
03:23 PM on 01/29/2012
a bin bag will do after all we are all treated as rubbish by the country
09:24 PM on 01/15/2012
looks like a good exhibit! have a look at this some really amazing pictures!!!!! http://simplephotography23.blogspot.com/ thanks! :)
10:24 PM on 01/14/2012
Love the cork screw coffin!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dean Peters
This ain't the Garden of Eden
10:11 PM on 01/14/2012
i'm still wanting to be buried in a KISS kasket, only $5000.00 a piece. That way I can Rock n Roll over in my grave. Check it out, @ themummysbracelet.blogspot.com/2007/05/demise-of-kiss-kasket.ht
Al Schrader
Don't limit your potential
10:28 AM on 01/14/2012
Coffin I designed has a thick 2 x 4 re-enforced bottom and thin plywood sides and sells for $249.00
and wont bankrupt you in addition to your grief....Al-
11:22 PM on 01/13/2012
How about a life size coffee can!
03:24 PM on 01/29/2012
how about a 45 gallon drum
08:09 PM on 01/13/2012
I still want my iron box with a solid silver box in that with a solid gold box in that one with me inside.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Barbara Longstaff
07:40 PM on 01/29/2012
Whatever for you will be dead and won't see it anyway and just expense for the family.
10:26 PM on 01/29/2012
it will not cost them a thing. I'll leave the money in a bank account with instructions that the money in it be used for it.
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David Daisy May Boldock
Yorkshire..Gods Own Country
08:25 PM on 01/29/2012
You forgot lead to keep you airtight lol
10:25 PM on 01/29/2012
I'm not going into space. I'm going into a riverbed like Atilla the Hun
07:07 PM on 01/13/2012
I DO NOT LIKE ANY OF THOSE THINGS......HOW RIDICULOUS!
05:42 PM on 01/13/2012
what a joke ..now death has become an art.
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Rippington
Highly opinionated and most likely will offend you
08:20 PM on 01/13/2012
Death has been art for a milenia... just look at the ancient Egyptians
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backwaterbandit
09:18 PM on 01/13/2012
well said. and why shouldn't the passing from this life be celebrated?
rdriley1522
Vietnam 67, 70
05:03 PM on 01/13/2012
Wow! How exciting! Can hardly wait to take up residence in one of these beauties!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
bklynzmorena
04:54 PM on 01/13/2012
I want a barbie box!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Edward Lucie-Smith
Art historian, photographer, poet
04:50 AM on 01/14/2012
When?
03:25 PM on 01/29/2012
sure ya dont want a ken box