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.
Christmas & New Year Opening Times
Sat 24 December | CLOSED
Sun 25 December | CLOSED
Mon 26 December | CLOSED
Tues 27 Dec | OPEN, Bank Holiday hours
Wed 28 Dec | OPEN, normal hours
Thurs 29 Dec | OPEN, normal hours
Fri 30 Dec | OPEN, normal hours
Sat 31 Dec | OPEN – 9am to 3pm (early closing)
Sun 1 Jan 2023 | CLOSED
Mon 2 Jan | OPEN, Bank Holiday hours
Tues 3 Jan | OPEN, normal hours
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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The Wessex Museums Partnership invited Ann-Marie James to explore Dorset Museum’s collections and those of our three partner museums (Poole Museum, Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum) and choose an object from each to inspire a series of artworks.
Exhibition Information
Location: Special Exhibitions
Museum MapThis exhibition is included as a part of your entrance timed ticket.
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
3 October 2022 - 8 February 2023
Unmasked
Unmasked is a local, voluntary project that began in the dark days of March 2020, when a new disease called COVID-19 literally stopped the world as we knew it.
Find out more3 December 2022 - 26 February 2023
I Grew Up 80s
This winter visitors to Dorset Museum are invited to take a trip back in time with the nostalgia-filled exhibition I Grew Up 80s.
Find out more3 December, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
I Grew Up 80s | Opening Disco
Travel back in time and celebrate the opening of our new exhibition- I Grew up 80s with a family-themed disco and family craft activities.
Find out more11 December 2022, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Meet the Superheros
Once again by popular demand, everyone’s favourite Science Fiction and Fantasy Movie and TV characters will be back at the Museum.
Find out more12 December 2022, 10:30am - 11:30am
Collections Discovery Centre Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.
Find out more20 December 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm
22 December 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm
Christmas ArtyFacts
Make Victorian decoupage gift boxes, tags and tree decorations for your friends and family.
Find out more27 December 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm
29 December 2022, 10:00am - 12:00pm
I Grew Up 80s | ArtyFacts
Make your own 1980s style glasses and guitars, inspired by our I Grew Up 80s exhibition.
Find out more