⭐ Step inside Home Sweet Home, a limited-time immersive exhibition transforming London's Mall Galleries into a magical world of stories, memories and imagination this summer


Highlights

🏡 Explore a magical immersive exhibition where art, storytelling, light and sound come together.
🕊️ Wander through Little Xian’s Garden beneath floating clouds and origami doves.
🧦 Discover the enchanting Sock Forest filled with stories of love, family and belonging.
🕸️ Step into whimsical worlds including The Old Spider’s One Hundred Beds and Keeper of the Red House.
🎨 Enjoy a variety of daily interactive activities, including origami dove making, storytelling, drawing, fun games for the whole family and our beautiful immersive light installations.
✨ Experience special weekend activities with sock-sharing events on Saturdays and live storytelling and songs on Sundays.


Every visit to Home Sweet Home includes a range of imaginative, hands-on activities inspired by Huaicun Zhang's magical story world. Children and families are invited to create, explore, play and discover together.


Interactive activities at the exhibition


Sock Forest Activities


Sock Hospital

Every sock deserves a second chance.

Bring a holey sock from home or choose one from our collection. Use colourful fabrics, yarn and decorations to repair it and give it a brand new story.


Design Your Own Sock

Create a sock that's completely unique.

Trace your foot onto felt, decorate it with colourful shapes and patterns, and design a sock that belongs only to you.


Hang Your Sock

Add your creation to the growing Sock Forest.

Decorate a paper sock and hang it on our washing line alongside hundreds of others, becoming part of the exhibition itself.


Choose Your Favourite Sock

Which sock speaks to you?

Each illustrated sock has its own personality and story. Read them all, then vote for your favourite by placing a heart beneath it.


Name a Sock

Every sock deserves a name.

Choose a sock from the wall, invent a name and add it to the growing Sock Family.


Looking for Home

Can you reunite a lost pair?

Find clues, search the exhibition and match each lonely sock with its missing partner.


Odd Sock Challenge

Can you find...

the odd sock?

the oldest sock?

the smallest sock?

the happiest sock?

the loneliest sock?


There's no single right answer—everyone sees something different.


Sock Theatre

Stories begin with imagination.

Choose a sock puppet, invent a story and perform your own mini adventure with family or friends.


Favourite Socks Photo Spot

Show us your favourite socks!

Wear your brightest, funniest or most unusual socks and take a family photo in our special Sock Forest photo area.


Daily Creative Activities


Origami Dove Making

Fold a white dove and add it to Little Xian's Garden—a growing installation celebrating peace, hope and home.


Design Wings for the Little Ant

What if a tiny ant could fly? Create a pair of magical wings and imagine where its journey might begin.


Draw Your Family Story

Draw a person, a memory or a moment that makes you feel at home.


The Home Postbox

Write a letter to someone you love, someone you miss, or even to your future self.


Light Show Experience

Step into a magical world of moving light and floating words, where stories appear through light and shadow.


Weekend Special Events

Saturdays – Saturday Story reading

Sundays – Sunday Sing-along Songs

Join the Bear Family for songs, storytelling and joyful moments celebrating the meaning of home.


Perfect for families with children of all ages, these activities encourage creativity, storytelling and meaningful conversations about home, family, friendship and our connection with nature.


About Pencil Tree CIO

A Legacy of Creativity and Giving

At Pencil Tree CIO, generosity is more than an act—it’s a tradition. Our journey began nearly a century ago when my grandparents dedicated themselves to helping those in need. From sheltering families during floods to building schools for future generations, they passed down the belief that true wealth lies in giving.

By the 1950s, my parents continued this mission, establishing schools and nurturing young minds. This spirit of kindness lives on through my daughter, Xian, and me. Together, we founded Pencil Tree CIO, ensuring that young artists and writers receive the support they need to flourish.

Our mission is clear: to support young people in finding their voices, nurturing their imagination, and spreading love through creativity. Most importantly, we will continue to pass down this tradition to the next generation, including my granddaughter, Freya


Our work has included:

Huaicun Zhang Award at RBA – Recognizing young artistic talent.

Rome Scholarship at RBA – Offering young artists international creative opportunities.

Charitable Giving – Contributions to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, and other causes.

Mall Galleries

Home Sweet Home: A Limited-Time Immersive Exhibition in London

Pencil Tree CIO

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Pencil Tree CIO

About

Where

Home Sweet Home: A Limited-Time Immersive Exhibition in London