Special Exhibition
Alchemy: Artefacts Reimagined
28 May – 5 September 2021
Wessex Museums invited artist Ann-Marie James to explore the collections of our four partner museums, then choose an object from each to inspire a series of new artworks.
The result is Alchemy, an exhibition that uncovers new meanings in our collections – and creatively illuminates the significance of Wessex.
Themes and techniques
Ann-Marie James spent a year ‘reimagining’ these artefacts to create the new artworks. All the pieces are in gold and/or white – gold from the Bush Barrow Lozenge and the tale of Bacchus and Midas, white from the chalk that the Amesbury Archer was found in, and the white of the Roman mosaic.
Her techniques included drawing, painting, printmaking, and gilding with 24ct gold. For ‘Bacchus’, she shaved a Roman mosaic design into a cream rug.
We hope Alchemy inspires you to look at our collections differently and to reimagine the connections between our past and present.
![Bush Barrow lozenge](https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bush-Barrow-lozenge-1024x683.jpg)
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Opening hours:
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm
TASTE Café
Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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Admissions:
10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01
BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10% -
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![Bush Barrow lozenge](https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bush-Barrow-lozenge-740x490-c-default.jpg)
Chieftain series
Ann-Marie James’ inspiration for the Chieftain series of artworks was the Bush Barrow lozenge at Wiltshire Museum.
This lozenge is the finest example of Bronze Age gold craftsmanship ever found. Made from sheet gold, only one millimetre thick, it is incised with intricate patterns, suggesting that whoever made it had a sophisticated knowledge of geometry.
![Roman glass head](https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Roman-glass-head-740x490-c-default.jpg)
Midas series
The enigmatic face on this medallion is probably Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry. The medallion is thought to have hung from an expensive Roman wine glass.
The medallion was found during the excavation of a Roman settlement to the north of Poole.
![Amesbury Archer](https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Archer-series-740x490-c-default.jpg)
Archer series
Ann-Marie James’ inspiration for Archer came from arrowheads found in the 4,000-year-old grave of the ‘Amesbury Archer’. The barbed arrowheads demonstrate flint-working at its best, but the design is brutal – the barbs ensured that the arrowhead would not fall out, so the prey animal would bleed to death.
These flints were part of a large hoard of ceremonial objects in the grave.
![Bacchus](https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bacchus-740x490-c-default.jpg)
Bacchus
Ann-Marie James’ inspiration for Bacchus came from the Roman mosaic pavement at Dorset Museum. Imagery on the mosaic includes a cantharus (a two handled drinking vessel) which has led some experts to believe the mosaic is linked with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry.
Laid on the floor of the Victorian Hall at the museum, it became one of the only places in the world where people could walk on Roman mosaics.
What's on
10 July - 26 September 2024.
Sensing the Past
"Sensing the Past" was a collaborative and co-produced project involving The Dorset Blind Association, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Find out more19 July - 3 November 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Find out more14 September 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tour
Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Find out more15 September 2024, 11:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00
Heritage Open Day – Store Tour
Join our Collections Team this Heritage Open Day for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more15 September 2024, 13:00-14:00
Heritage Open Day – Thomas Hardy Tour
Join us this Heritage Open Day for a bespoke tour of the Museum to learn more about the world of Thomas Hardy.
Find out more23 September 2024, 12:00noon - 1:00pm
Nature Heals | Trevor Parsons
Trevor Parsons is a local photographer with an amazing story to tell about the healing power of photography and nature.
Find out more25 September 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Store Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more28 September 2024, 9:30am - 5pm
Cerne Giant and other Wessex Hill Figures
The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of the most recognisable and talked about hill figures in the UK. This special conference draws upon recent excavations and new research by the National Trust, led by Martin Papworth, and offers the opportunity to explore the giant in relationship to other significant hill figures in the region.
Find out moreWednesday 2nd October 2024, 18:30-21:00
Culture Club – Wildlife Photography: A Look at Dorset Naturally
Join us for an evening of Dorset Nature Photography. We'll have a talk from professional nature and landscape photographer Mike Read, in which he will take us through "A Look at Dorset Naturally", and an exclusive opportunity to explore the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition after hours.
Find out more