A new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection is always cause for excitement. In the three years the venue has existed, they’ve put ne’er a foot wrong. Every show – from the medicine of war to London’s skeletons – has truly exercised the old grey matter.

Skin repeats Wellcome’s usual trick. Pick a theme, preferably an organ, and tell its story through art, science, medicine, anthropology and even religion. Here, this means Rennaissance paintings of circumcision (art), electron micrographs of skin cells (science), wax models of disease (medicine), Maori tattoo accoutrements (anthropology), and tales of stigmata (religion)…and many other examples besides.

Anyone with an ounce of curiosity will find plenty to ponder. The art work, in particular, is thought-provoking and relevant, especially the more modern works. Scientifically, the exhibition feels, well, skin deep. There are a few nods to the complex mechanisms of touch, pain and perspiration, but these are significantly outweighed by more cultural insights. I also felt that this exhibition lacks some of the focus of its predecessors. This is very much a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ rather than offering a robust narrative. In conclusion: definitely worth a visit, but perhaps lacking the impact of previous offerings.

Skin runs at the Wellcome Collection until 26 September. Check out the calendar for associated events.