The Hat is back! Mysterious local artist launches exhibition at Framlingham Library

By James Powell | June 30, 2025

The Hat is back! Mysterious local artist to launch exhibition at Framlingham Library
Framlingham Library is delighted to launch a colourful exhibition of artwork by the mysterious local artist known only as ‘The Hat’!

From Tuesday 1 July, the library’s beautiful Courthouse Gallery will be displaying several pieces by The Hat including a new painting featuring three hedgehogs which is being generously donated to the library. This painting will be sold to raise money for future improvements to the library which will also receive 35% of the sales of other paintings.

As well as one-off paintings being available to view and purchase, fans of The Hat can also buy prints of the artwork on The Hat’s website.

The exhibition runs from 1 July to 9 August. To help manage numbers, anyone interested in taking a look will need to book a free ticket via the TicketSource website.

Since emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Hat has quietly left thought-provoking, colourful pieces across the region – often outside cafes, pubs and charity shops, encouraging them to auction the artwork for good causes.

Despite growing interest, very little is known about The Hat. His identity remains a mystery and perhaps that is part of the magic! The Hat’s artwork has become highly sought after and collectable, and has been making news headlines.

Rumour has it, that there are exhibitions planned in London and Holland coming soon!

For more information visit www.whoisthehat.com and follow @who_is_the_hat on Instagram.

Library manager Vivia Bamford said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting this exhibition. It’s all ready to go and the artwork looks wonderful in our gallery space! It’s really worth a visit so I hope to welcome hundreds of people in the coming weeks. I’m so grateful to The Hat – whoever they are – for choosing us as location to display their work and for donating a painting and a percentage of sales to support our library.”

It’s worth a visit to the library to see the recently created castle themed children’s area too. Any money made by the library from the exhibition will go towards further future improvements at the library.