Curated by Jessica Harrison-Hall and produced with the collaboration of over 100 scholars from 14 countries, the exhibition China's Hidden Century at the British Museum, is an interesting opportunity to explore one of the most important and turbulent periods in Chinese history. The exhibition presents a wide range of art objects, photographs and historical documents that take us on a journey through the period between the end of the Qing Empire in 1911 and the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Rather than following a conventional timeline, China's Hidden Century explores the themes and issues that span this transitional historical period making it very accessible and engaging for visitors, regardless of their level of knowledge of Chinese history. Magnificent sculptures in wood and bronze, antique porcelain and fine fabrics are among the artworks on display. A rich selection of photographs - such as those taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson during his trip to China in the 1940s - document the daily life of the Chinese during the civil war period. Another original experience is the reconstruction of a typical 1930s Chinese house, made of wood, offering visitors the opportunity to enter and explore its interiors, with furniture of the period and everyday objects.
The exhibition begins in the 1920s, when swimsuits began to be marketed for swimming and when seaside holidays became popular and explores the role of swimming in modern life up to the present day.
Platform is a new initiative to expand our exhibition programme with free annual exhibitions showcasing the work of a designer or studio that is impacting contemporary design discourse. The inaugural exhibition features the work of Bethan Laura Wood.
Paintings, sculptures, textiles and poetry by over 50 artists including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu chronicle the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of the nation’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
A journey to discover the Indian sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee revisited through the works, drawings and sculptures of the artists who have most influenced her and with whom she has collaborated.
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