Ashmolean Museum - January at the Ashmolean

Exhibitions  |  Events  |  Membership  |  Shop

FINAL WEEKS Imagining the Divine Art and the Rise of World Religions Why do we think of Jesus Christ with a beard? Or Buddha as cross-legged? Today, the pictures people conjure when they think of the world’s major religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism– are distinctive and immediately recognisable. But two thousand years ago that was not the case. Find out more & Book online "Pushes us back towards a far more fundamental level of religious imagining" – Rowan Williams Coming Soon America's Cool Modernism O'Keeffe to Hopper This will be the first exhibition to explore the ‘cool’ in American art in the early 20th century. Discover early experiments in abstraction by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Arthur Dove and Paul Strand to the strict, clean precisionist paintings of Charles Sheeler and Charles Demuth. The exhibition opens on 23 March. Find out more & Book online Pre-order your exhibition catalogue Become a Member in 2018 Join Online Ashmolean Members get in FREE to all exhibitions – including America's Cool Modernism in 2018 – and enjoy a range of benefits and behind-the-scenes activities. Find out more Special Appeal Help Inspire Young Minds Since 2015, the Ashmolean Museum’s secondary education programme has strengthened to meet an extraordinary demand for school visits and teaching support, making our collections available to as many young people as possible. Last year, we welcomed almost 11,000 secondary-age students to the Museum, from over 140 schools around the country. Two generous Patrons have pledged to double the first £20,000 raised for this special appeal, to continue this programme. Find out more Special Weddings Offer From start to finish, our dedicated team will ensure that your celebration is every bit as special, individual and memorable as you want it to be. Book by 31 March and you'll enjoy two extra special gifts from us. Find out more Iconography in the Islamic World 6pm, Friday 26 January Join Professor Oliver Watson for this special evening talk about iconography and meaning in both religious and secular contexts in the Islamic world. Book your place Ashmolean After Hours Friday 26 January, 5–8pm – Admission Free We will be keeping our doors open late so you can enjoy an evening viewing of Imagining the Divine, attend a talk, or relax after work with friends, all after our normal closing time. There will be music and bars serving food and drink. Why not book a table for dinner at our Rooftop Restaurant? Find out more Now Open From Drawing to Painting in the Italian Renaissance This new free displayexplores how Italian artists produced whole sequences of preparatory drawings to hone the form and content of their major works. Find out more Exhibition Shop Online & at the Museum Discover our range of gifts, books, bags, jewellery, prints, art supplies, fashion, games and much more, all inspired by the artworks on display in our Imagining the Divine exhibition. Shop Online Elsewhere

At the Royal Academy of Arts Charles I: King and Collector 27 January – 15 April 2018 Discover the legendary art collection of Charles I. For the first time since the 17th century, this landmark exhibition will bring together the astounding treasures that changed the taste of the nation. Find out more Sponsored by BNY Mellon, Anniversary Partner of the Royal Academy of Arts. Exhibition organised in partnership with Royal Collection Trust. At Modern Art Oxford We Are Living on a Star with Eline McGeorge Thursday 11 January, 6.30-8pm Join Norwegian artist Eline McGeorge at Modern Art Oxford to discuss her 2015 work With the Free Rider into the Oil Age and Beyond in relation to the tapestry work of Hannah Ryggen, on display in the gallery until 18 February. Find out more

November at the Ashmolean

Exhibitions  |  Events  |  Membership  |  Shop One World Festival Celebrating Oxford’s Diversity Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 November FREE, no need to book Come and join us for a dazzling weekend of activities, talks and craft for all ages and find out more about how Oxford’s religious communities celebrate the festival of light. Enjoy food on the forecourt, dance and performance, live music, talks and tours, meditation, hands-on crafts and more.  Find out more Book Now Imagining the Divine Art and the Rise of World Religions Why do we think of Jesus Christ with a beard? Or Buddha as cross-legged? Today, the pictures people conjure when they think of the world’s major religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism– are distinctive and immediately recognisable. But two thousand years ago that was not the case. Find out more & Book online Get in Free – Become a Member Click here to find out more "Pushes us back towards a far more fundamental level of religious imagining" – Rowan Williams "Unmissable... a fascinating journey through the art of religions from India to Ireland" – Mary Beard Christmas Cards & Shopping Visit our shop to find a beautiful range of Christmas cards inspired by the Ashmolean's collections. Our Museum shop is open every day until 23 December, or visit us online. All purchases support the Museum. Find out more Qu Leilei: A Chinese Artist in Britain Free exhibition open from 7 November Contemporary Chinese artist Qu Leilei (b. 1951) was a founding member of the avant-garde ‘Stars Group’ in the late 1970s, and immigrated to England in 1985. This exhibition shows his progression from calligraphic collage to an exploration of a new vocabulary of ink language blending lively brushwork with western technique. Find out more Members Week Until 5 November A week-long celebration to highlight and thank our Members for their vital support and for being a part of the Ashmolean's story. Members can enjoy a programme of exclusive events, activities, offers and discounts. Find out more

Venue Hire Exclusive 10% discount We are excited to announce the availability of a new exclusive event space, for a limited time only. This uniquely flexible and contemporary gallery space on the lower ground floor is perfect for evening dinners, daytime meetings, launch events and presentations, or even a Christmas party. Receive a 10% discount on venue hire for events held in November and December when you mention this newsletter at the time of booking. Find out more Talks, Tours & Workshops November Events Listen to music in the galleries, explore Jewish treasures, be inspired by Japanese ceramics, and discover Van Gogh, St Edmund, Celtic embroidery and much more this month.   Find an event Family Fun Free Activities Hunt for flowers, bugs and skulls at our Saturday Ashventure on 11 November, with stories, gallery hunts, games and crafts. Little Ashmoles (aged 3–5) can also join us this month for a Minibeast Feast every Thursday morning this month. Find out more Members Christmas Party 4 December Enjoy festive drinks, canapés and Christmas music, and join curators as they muse on objects in our collections. Open to all Ashmolean Members and their guests. Book your place

At The British Museum Living with gods: peoples, places and worlds beyond Until 8 April 2018 Beliefs in spiritual beings and worlds beyond nature are characteristic of all human societies, through time and across the world. This expansive exhibition reflects on how people believe through everyday objects of faith. Find out more At The Jewish Museum Designs on Britain Until 15 April 2018 Much of the most iconic 20th-century design was shaped by the arrival of Jewish émigré designers from continental Europe. See the classic designs that have been embraced by generations. Find out more