Visions of Nature

During 2016, the Museum presented Visions of Nature – a rich programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops by artists and writers whose varied work celebrates the natural environment.

The year kicked off with an exhibition by contemporary British artist Kurt Jackson, Bees (and the odd wasp) in my Bonnet, which opened on 18 March.

This was followed by Microsculpture, an exhibition of extraordinary insect photographs by British portrait photographer Levon Biss. Microsculpture was displayed in the Museum’s main court from 27 May.

Throughout the year, the Museum also hosted three poets in residence: John Barnie, Steven Matthews and Kelley Swain.

Ruskin 200

2019

John Ruskin, one of the leading art critics of the 19th century, was a strong influence on the design and decoration of the Museum's building. To celebrate 200 years since Ruskin's birth, in 2019 the Museum is hosting a series of special events throughout the year.

Kurt Jackson: Bees (and the odd wasp) in my Bonnet

18 March – 29 September 2016

Kurt Jackson’s art is a celebration of the natural world. Inspired by the bees he encounters at home in Cornwall and across the UK, Jackson created a body of work including paintings and sculpture which was exhibited together here for the first time alongside Museum collections in an exploration of the diverse and beautiful world of bees.

Microsculpture

27 May 2016 – 29 January 2017

Microsculpture was a ground-breaking project by the British photographer Levon Biss which presented insect specimens from the Museum like never before. The images revealed an unexpected and often breathtaking beauty and made visible the many intricate adaptations to the form of insects - what entomologists call their microsculpture.

An Artweeks Arctic

11 November – 29 January 2017

The Artweeks Arctic exhibition presented work from nine artists who have been inspired by the remote yet important Arctic landscape. The show was part of the Museum’s yearlong Visions of Nature programme, which celebrated artistic responses to the natural environment.

The Museum's poets worked alongside staff in our collections and out in the Museum itself to gain inspiration for their writing. Each then produced eight new poems, which were ultimately published in the anthology Guests of Time, edited by Professor John Holmes.

As part of the Visions of Nature public programme, the poets also took part in a number of events to present their work, and contributed articles to the Museum’s blog, More than a Dodo.