Exhibitions
The Object of My Affection: stories of love from the Fitzwilliam collection
Love is very much in the air in this exhibition, which contains objects alive with the range of emotions that it commands; from admiration and affection, joy and passion, longing and despair, to insults, indifference, grief and remembrance.
30/01/2018 to 28/05/2018
Flux: Parian unpacked
Who writes history? Whose histories define Britishness, and how does this change over time? Why do museums celebrate the lives of some people and ignore others?
Exploring themes of mass production, celebrity, colonialism and our notion of history, this impressive installation by ceramic artist and curator, Matt Smith, features over 100 sculptural Parian busts from the Glynn collection. Highlighting previously widely-celebrated 19th century figures, Matt challenges the traditional reading of these figures and their achievements.
06/03/2018 to 01/07/2018
Things of Beauty Growing: British studio pottery
For almost one hundred years, British potters have led the way in re-inventing traditional ceramic forms. Things of Beauty Growing showcases the history and ongoing practice of one of the most dynamic art forms in the UK today, by tracing the changing nature of British studio pottery through the evolution of specific types of vessel: the moon jar, vase, bowl, charger, set, vessel, pot and monument. Featuring works from museums and private collections across the UK and America, the exhibition shows that studio pottery is a global story, with pots and potters travelling between Britain, continental Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
20/03/2018 to 17/06/2018
Displays
The Frua-Valsecchi collection
Over the past fifty years, Francesca and Massimo Valsecchi have built up a remarkable collection of paintings, furniture, sculpture, glass and ceramics. This includes the renowned nude portrait of Patricia Preece by Stanley Spencer (Gallery 1), William Burges’s painted ‘Flax and Wool’ cabinet (Gallery 2), a Spanish 17th century polychrome wood sculpture of the Christ Child (Gallery 6), Art Nouveau Tiffany glass (Gallery 1), metalwork designed by Christopher Dresser (Gallery 2) and an extremely rare Meissen porcelain vulture (Gallery 27)...
01/08/2016 to 30/12/2018
Inspired by Civilisations
This display shows how two Greek vases and encaustic portraits, taken from their original context in ancient Egyptian coffins, relate to the BBC series Civilisations theme, and suggests ways in which the theme can be explored throughout the galleries of Antiquity in the Museum.
27/02/2018 to 06/05/2018