Author: Dinah Kolka. Dinah is the founder of Decadent Serpent and a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University with a BA(Hons) in English Literature. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Salisbury Review and The Mallard. She was also published in the Scottish Book Trust’s 2018 anthology Rebel. In 2023, Dinah self-published her own collection of short stories, The Search and Other Stories.

I’m going to be completely honest – I had a look at all the things in culture that happened in 2024 and I very quickly realised that neither pop-culture nor news delivered anything particularly interesting. We could be talking about emergence of Brat or Taylor Swift but isn’t this what everyone else keeps talking about? So I figured the best way to talk about 2024 is in terms of our favourite artists and creators that should be highlighted this year for their exceptional work, who exhibited and deserve a special mention. Everyone knows of Taylor Swift – let’s focus on better things! One of the key missions for Decadent Serpent is to showcase exceptional talent in the current day and age that proves that good art still exists. Films that still touch something in your soul, books that still bring out something unexpected, art that stirs something within. So we asked our own Decadent Serpent team and decided to showcase the best of the best! We will start with my own list and proceed to the favourites picked by our own columnists and writers.

ART

An Talla Solais Members Show – 9th August – 24th of September 2024

https://antallasolais.org/exhibitions/project-one-f5w4d-tg74p

This exhibition was an enormous opportunity to view the excellent work of artists across the Scottish Highlands, including dear and favourite names such as Fiona Mackenzie and Barbara Peffers. The exhibition was truly an astounding feat of nature and animals, with clear inspirations from local landscapes and animals. A variety of paintings were available, showing the sheer roughness of the Scottish landscapes, with their winds, storms, overcast skies, and ominous mountains. But the animals were presented too – with seals, birds, and fish. There was something airy and inspiring in visiting an art gallery in the Highlands showcasing the best art representing the same views I was just driving past to get there.

‘Feathered Souls’ Fiona Mackenzie exhibition

We reviewed the exhibition here and we had a fantastic time looking at the various ways of presenting birds – through drawings, paintings, as well as wood engravings. A lot of the birds are still available for sale and if you would like to enquire, you can email art.gairloch@googlemail.com.

Daniel Soares – December 2024

Seeing Daniel’s work was absolutely striking and I am entering the new year with one of his works soon hanging in my living room. Daniel’s art is truly showcasing a skill and commitment to the respect of the form and Old Masters which makes his art come alive with quality.

FILM

The Substance (2024)

Most certainly one of the top films of 2024, which we reviewed here, was one of the most culturally significant films of the year. With hyperrealistic shots, visceral acting, and an amazing soundtrack, The Substance delivered (maybe let’s just forget the ending though).

Longlegs (2024)

I have to say, Longlegs was likely my favourite film of the year. With gorgeous visuals and beautiful shots of Oregon (which was actually Vancouver), this film was really committed to its aesthetic value. Really gripping and truly terrifying at times, it was most certainly a film that made 2024 for me.

BOOKS

The Passenger by S.D Wickett

(https://amzn.eu/d/d41H4RU) which we reviewed soon after launching (you can read the review here) was one of my personal favourites. Released in September 2024 it was potentially one of my top books I’ve read this year. Wickett’s style and writing really distinguished itself for its quality and sheer skill.

MUSIC

Blackfyre Rising – October 2024

We reviewed the concert here and it was truly a blast. Blackfyre Rising truly showcased their energy on stage and it was a joy to hear them. I didn’t see many gigs this year but this one was certainly significant.

2024 Highlights by Decadent Serpent Columnists

Chief Ideas & Culture Columnist – Giulia Prodiguerra

Our Chief Ideas & Culture Columnist, Giulia Prodiguerra (known for her whole folklore column which you can read here), really enjoyed:

MUSIC: Barns Courtney & The Struts in Glasgow

FILM/TV: SAS Rogue Heroes (2022-2025)

The Penguin (2024)

Dune (Part II) 2024

LITERATURE/GRAPHIC NOVELS: The Road (Graphic Novel)

Chief Literature Columnist – Eva McFarlane

Eva is known for absolute creative writing gems this year, such as Crimson Reign and Toy Soldiers. You can read more of her work here.

FILM/TV: Arcane Season 2

Literature: The Specimens by Mairi Kidd

You can buy a copy here https://amzn.eu/d/ctv8LQP

Chief Film Columnist – Jack Salvadori

You can already find out Jack’s best films of 2024 here! However, his most notable film that became his best was:

The Brutalist (2024)

Chief Music Columnist – Adam Gorecki

Adam started strong with us with his beautiful review of the Dead Zebras and a great feature on conflicts that contributed to birth of great classics. You can read his work here.

MUSIC: Young Fathers, Albert Hall, April 2024

ALBUM: Mahashmashana by Father John Misty 

Chief History Columnist – Gavin Duffy

Gavin is known for absolute bombshell pieces on history, including his fascinating Chetnik article as well as the piece on Christmas in the Third Reich. You can read his work here.

ART: Yoshida: Three generations of Japanese printmaking at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London

Lavery on Location, Edinburgh

Discovering Degas at the Burrell Collection in Glasgow

Staff Writer – Daniel Harding

Our Staff Writer, Daniel Harding is the author of our excellent piece on Camus (you can read it here).

Hak Baker – 20th July, London

Tool – 3rd of June, London

Another pick from Daniel was Tool, an extremely memorable gig which Daniel called a ‘highlight of the year’