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October 2019
From Istanbul to Oxford: The Origins of Coffee-Drinking in England
The first coffee house in England opened in Oxford in 1651, but the story of coffee began many years earlier in the Ottoman Empire. Discover how coffee made its way to England through an exploration of both Ottoman coffee-related objects and English adaptations, which illustrate the fascinating and complex relationship between the two powers at the time. Gallery 29
Find out more »A Nice Cup of Tea?
Learn about the untold stories and hidden narratives of empire, trade and transatlantic slavery through this contemporary art installation inspired by the Ashmolean’s European Ceramics collection. A cup of tea represents comfort for many of us, but every sip connects us to the legacy of the British Empire, global trade and transatlantic slavery. The fashion for drinking sweetened tea from China inspired the luxury tea sets in the Ashmolean European Ceramics Gallery. Behind this wealth was the brutal exploitation of enslaved…
Find out more »Feed the World: Food and Money in the 20th Century
This display explores the complex relationship between food and money by taking a closer look at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s ‘Food for All’ programme. Discover how monetary and numismatic objects such as coins, banknotes, and tokens related to food in the 20th century, and why this was important. Gallery 7
Find out more »Cai Guo-Qiang: Gunpowder Art
Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang (b. 1957) is best-known for his gunpowder explosion events staged in public spaces worldwide and, in particular, for his firework display for the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This exhibition focuses on the artist’s smaller-scale works, exploring the presence of Chinese culture in his art through the mediums of painting, drawing, and gunpowder on canvas, paper and silk. Learn about the significance behind the materials Cai Guo-Qiang chooses to work with, as…
Find out more »November 2019
‘Oh, What a Lovely War!’ Humour in Times of Conflict
An exhibition that explores the ways in which humour and fun were used to spur on both troops and the people back at home - before, during and after war. Objects, music, posters, art, and testimonials from Oxfordshire people all illustrate how some of those who lived through times of conflict still managed to put a smile on their faces. Museum open Tuesday-Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 11am - 5pm and Sunday 2pm - 5pm. Last admission 4.15pm each day.…
Find out more »Turrill Sculpture Garden Christmas Quarter Selling Exhibition
Seven Oxfordshire women artists in metal, glass and ceramics show enticing offerings for Christmas and beyond from 16 November to 25 April. Julie Grose and Sophie Thompson work in metal, Harriet Coleridge, Sally Dorrity and Laura Laub in ceramic and Anne Arlidge and Judith Berger in glass. Add an outdoor element to your Christmas gift-giving for long-term delight. 16 November - 25 April Through Summertown Library, South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN
Find out more »Philip Guston: Locating the Image
Discover the work of internationally acclaimed American artist Philip Guston (1913–80) in the first solo exhibition of his work in Oxford. The exhibition highlights the importance of working on paper for Guston’s artistic practice, and explores the inspiration he drew from historical art and literature. Gallery 8.
Find out more »December 2019
3945 Portraits Exhibition
Glyn Dewis exhibits his photographic portraits of Second World War veterans. Explore his work, find out about their medals, and hear about the veterans' experiences through Glyn's interview recordings. "I started the project in early 2019 and it's wonderful that the project has already received praise from around the world and is proving to be an incredible experience. I'm incredibly pleased with how well the series has taken off, and how images have already been licensed for use by the…
Find out more »January 2020
Kevin Line: A Darker Shade
Cotswold-based portrait painter Kevin Line’s charcoal, grisaille paintings have brought him national renown. He exhibits extensively in major open exhibitions, has received a number of national awards and is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. He is a realist with particularly fine observational skills. Working in monochrome, he strips all sentiment from his paintings. he has the rare ability to convey, not just a likeness of the subject, but also a real sense of being in the…
Find out more »Talking Maps
Every map tells a story. Talking Maps is a celebration of maps and what they tell us about the places they depict and the people that make and use them. Drawing on the Bodleian's unparalleled collection of more than 1.5 million maps, this exhibition brings together an extraordinary selection of ancient, pre-modern and contemporary maps from a range of cultures and in a variety of formats as well as showcasing fascinating imaginary, fictional and war maps.
Find out more »An event every day that begins at 2:00 am, repeating until February 9, 2020
Thinking 3D: Leonardo to the present
For centuries, artists and scientists have wrestled with how to convey three-dimensional objects on the page. Using some of the Bodleian Libraries’ finest books, manuscripts, prints and drawings, Thinking 3D tells the story of the development of three-dimensional communication over the last 500 years.
Find out more »Nianhua: The Chinese New Year Print
With Dr Paul Bevan, Ashmolean Museum To celebrate Chinese New Year, this talk will explore the history of the decorative nianhua or New Year picture. Events from China’s past as depicted in the prints will be explained, exciting tales of myth and legend unraveled, and symbolic, hidden meanings revealed. Followed by a viewing of examples from the Museum’s own collection.
Find out more »Oxford Beethoven Festival: Jonathan Biss
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28, ‘Pastoral’ Sonata No. 20 in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3 Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90 Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101 Jonathan Biss piano This concert forms the first in a full survey of the sonatas from different pianists in a recital throughout 2020. 'This could be a Beethoven cycle to treasure' was The Guardian's verdict after…
Find out more »Max & Ivan: Commitment
Say ‘I do’ to the triumphant return of Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominees Max & Ivan, as seen in BBC One’s W1A and heard on BBC Radio 4’s The Casebook of Max & Ivan. Commitment is the TRUE STORY of the unreasonable lengths one best man (Max) will go to give one groom (Ivan) the greatest weekend of his life. It’s a show about dreaming big, growing up, and trying – but ultimately very much failing – to make it in the band. Directed by…
Find out more »Doctor Zhivago and the Two Pasternaks
With Nicolas Pasternak and Maya Slater A new translation of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak has just been published containing numerous illustrations by his father, Leonid Pasternak. The book and the art are presented and discussed by Boris' nephew, Nicolas Pasternak, and picture editor Maya Slater.
Find out more »Oxford Beethoven Festival: Symphony & Concerto Cycle I
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55, ‘Eroica’ Marios Papadopoulos piano/conductor Concert introduced by John Suchet 250 years on from the birth of the man who changed the course of music forever, Marios Papadopoulos salutes Ludwig van Beethoven in the most absorbing and comprehensive way: presenting a complete cycle of the composer’s symphonies and piano concertos as both conductor and soloist throughout 2020. The Oxford Beethoven Festival launches…
Find out more »An event every day that begins at 10:00 am, repeating until February 8, 2020
AT The Bus: Inaugural Exhibition
AT The Bus is a new school-based programme that offers art as therapy to support mental wellbeing, develop resilience, alleviate anxiety and boost the self-esteem of children and young people aged 5-18 in Oxfordshire. The charity launched in October 2019 and is currently operating in a temporary studio space at The Cherwell School. From September 2020 AT The Bus will go mobile, in a specially refitted double decker bus, enabling it to deliver its practice to many more schools across…
Find out more »Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Embark on an epic adventure – via the big screen! The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to the New Theatre, Oxford, on 28th January 2020. The Banff Mountain Film Festival features a selection of adrenaline-packed films, starring athletes and explorers as they venture to the edge of their limits in remote corners of the planet. Witness the world’s best adventure film-makers telling stories of life-affirming journeys with stunning wilderness cinematography – all from the comfort of…
Find out more »Josie Long: Tender
Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long is back with a new show for the first time in five years. It’s about the mind-bending intensity of new motherhood, but mostly about kindness, gentleness, and joy – all in all, the edgiest thing you will see on the Fringe. The aim is for you to come out of it feeling optimistic about the future, although that is a big ask. At the very least there will be some really silly voices…
Find out more »February 2020
Oxford Beethoven Festival: TS Eliot Four Quartets
TS ELIOT Four Quartets BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132 Jeremy Irons narrator Soloists of the Oxford Philharmonic Beethoven’s music was coursing through TS Eliot’s mind when he wrote his wartime poetic masterpieces, the Four Quartets. In this performance at the Sheldonian Theatre, Jeremy Irons recites Eliot’s unsurpassed contemplation of time, the universe and the divine while Soloists of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra play Beethoven’s testament to beauty and humanity, the String Quartet Op. 132. Pivoting on its…
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