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Fragrant Words: The Art of Scent in English Literature

26 Oct - 10 Dec, Thurs-Sun

Welcome to an olfactory exploration of literary masterpieces that transcends the boundaries of the traditional reading experience. Discover the powerful role of scent in storytelling and its ability to transport readers to other realms.

Step into the aromatic worlds of Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, John Keats, William Shakespeare, and Virginia Woolf. Fragrant Words takes you on a sensory journey through English literature, unveiling the olfactory themes that enrich these authors' works and their transformative power in creating vivid, immersive experiences.

Created by HUMOS Head Perfumer, E. Gabriel De Carvalho, Fragrant Words is a sensory exploration of literature like no other. Held in the HUMOS studio and showroom, this exhibition builds upon the success of the previous Scent of Colour: A Social Exploration.

Gabriel De Carvalho has meticulously interpreted the olfactory elements of these classic works, crafting unique fragrances that encapsulate each narrative. This interactive, sensory experience invites you to perceive these timeless stories in a new light - or rather, through a new scent.

Regardless of your familiarity with literature or perfumery, this exhibition welcomes everyone. It's not merely a display, but a shared experience, an invitation to explore and engage with literature in an unprecedented way. The best way to understand it is to immerse yourself in it - come and see (and smell) for yourself!

  • Thursdays: 12:00 - 17:00
  • Fridays: 12:00 - 17:00
  • Saturdays: 11:00 - 17:00
  • Sundays: 12:00 - 15:00

A word from the artist: Gabriel De Carvalho

“In creating 'Fragrant Words', I delved into the pages of classic English literature, extracting and interpreting the olfactory elements that weave through the narratives. The resulting fragrances provide a new medium to experience these stories, adding a sensory depth that complements the written word. This exhibition is an invitation to explore literature through scent, a journey I hope you'll find as captivating as I do. Come and see (and smell) for yourself - everyone is welcome! ”