I got the chance to visit the Marilyn Monroe Exhibition at Arches London Bridge which shows you her life from when she was born to her untimely death. The exhibition features everything from her marriages to the struggles she faced in her professional and personal life.
I have been a big fan of Marilyn Monroe ever since I remember seeing her pictures in my mum’s best friend’s house. She was the pinnacle of beauty in the 50s. Her style and charisma were matched by no one else of her time (in my opinion) and still, even today, there has been no one quite like her.
Her image has been mirrored by celebrities many times, for example, the iconic “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” look has been recreated by many A-listers such as Madonna, Kylie Jenner, Blake lively and Kate Moss to mention a few.
Visiting this exhibition was fantastic but also it felt quite sombre. Marilyn was loved by many but when walking around and seeing parts of her life behind the glass, even though she had so much fame and was the apple of many an eye, it seemed to be she was a lonely soul.
Throughout the exhibition, there were quotes from Marilyn on display – one of which was “I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.”
Marilyn’s mother was institutionalised when Marilyn was a baby which meant she was shipped from foster home to foster home when she was tiny. She started her career as a model and then moved into movies from there. In the exhibition, they have one of her very first screen tests which was really interesting to see as you see a young Marilyn before the blonde-haired bombshell we all know today.
It was stated that she was paid much less in movies than the other actors but she pushed for her rights. Eventually, further down the line in her career, she created her own production company called Marilyn Monroe Productions. I learnt that she seemed to use her womanly wiles to help her get what she wanted, she used them to her advantage! Having read the extensive information at the exhibition, I am under the impression Marilyn was an extremely clever lady who wasn’t afraid to take risks. She was confident in her sexuality and never stopped reaching for her goals. An example of this is when she said ” If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have gotten anywhere”
Towards the end of the exhibition, you learn about her death and the controversy behind it. In my opinion, I don’t believe she intentionally overdosed herself. I’m not sure if it was foul play, but I guess we will never know. One of the reasons I believe she wouldn’t have committed suicide is a quote which she said not long before her death ” I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you’d never complete your life, would you? You’d never wholly know you.”
Throughout the exhibition, you see her iconic outfits, alongside some of her make-up, and her hair curlers with some blonde strands of hair still attached. You are taken through her whole life from her first photo shoots to her funeral. If you like vintage Hollywood I would definitely recommend a visit.
