A unique exhibition celebrating comic art and inspired by the lavish restrooms of Harrogate’s Majestic Hotel is now open at the Mercer Art Gallery. Titled Secrets of the Majestic, this 88-page comic book anthology explores whimsical and imaginative stories about the hotel’s famously grand toilets.
Running until March 2025, the exhibition aims to draw a wider audience to the gallery by combining traditional art with the vibrant world of comic storytelling. North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said, “Who would have thought that a grand set of hotel toilets could spark such creativity? This quirky, unexpected angle makes it an exciting exhibition that we hope will appeal to both art lovers and comic fans alike.”
The project, created in partnership with the Thought Bubble Festival, the UK’s largest comic art convention, highlights the diversity and creativity within the medium. Research from the Comics Culture Impact Collective shows that comic art attracts a broad audience, with strong representation from ethnic minority and neurodivergent voices among its creators and readers.
The idea for the anthology came from editor Chris Mole, who was inspired by the restrooms during past Thought Bubble convention parties held at the Majestic Hotel. “After several years of mucking around taking pictures in the toilets, I decided the time was right to put together an anthology of stories exploring why the toilets are like that,” he said.
The result is a collection of short stories spanning genres such as horror, action, science fiction, and fantasy. Each tale offers a different perspective on the history and mystery of this opulent “porcelain palace.”
For more information about Secrets of the Majestic, visit Mercer Art Gallery.
