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.
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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
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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.
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.
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
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 - 23 October 2024.
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Find out more19 July - 3 November 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
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Find out more14 October - 3 November 2024
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This October Half Term, take part in the Cabinets of Curiosities Halloween trail and explore spooky objects, folk tales and stories from the past.
Find out moreFriday 18th October, 11:00-12:00
Exhibition Tour: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Join us every Friday at 11:00 for a free tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition with our trained museum guides! This…
Find out more23 October 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 more24 October 2024, 10:00am - 10:30am
Storytime at the Museum
Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.
Find out moreThursday 24th October, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Teacher Open Evening
Join the Learning and Engagement Team on Thursday 24th October for our Teacher Open Evening. Teachers and school staff are invited to meet the Learning…
Find out more24 October 2024, 7pm
The Year Clock
The Year Clock is a play that delves deep into the themes of language, speech, and human communication. It focuses on the life and legacy of William Barnes, a self-educated Dorset teacher and parson who lived from 1801 to 1886.
Find out moreFriday 25th October, 11:00-12:00
Exhibition Tour: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Join us every Friday at 11:00 for a free tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition with our trained museum guides! This…
Find out more