Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All

Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All

A Creativity Symposium, supported by Arts Council England, will be held at the iconic Oxford University Museum of Natural History as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks on 

Saturday, 25 April, 10 – 5.

 

Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All invites the public to explore creative thinking and practice through a wide range of creative activities, lectures and expert-led workshops.  

The event is open to everyone, from families looking for free, fun and creative activities in the inspiring environs of the museums, to casual observers who are curious about exploring different perspectives on creativity in everyday life.

The Symposium will begin at 10am with a free programme in the historic lecture theatre of the Natural History Museum.  Keynote speakers, Dr. Tracey Warr (Art), Professor Simon Olding (Craft), and Dr. Andrew Lack (Ecology) will explore ideas of creativity in their fields. This will be followed by a panel discussion with professionals active in creative fields, including fine art, craft, design and architecture.  

From 1pm, family-focussed, creative activities organised by a range of organisations and artists, including Oxford Brookes Fine Art students, Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Art in Action, River & Rowing Museum and the Sylva Foundation, will be taking place throughout the Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museums.  

A series of expert-led creative workshops will run parallel to these activities, facilitated by Dr. Robin Wilson (Wytham Woods), Giuseppe Boscherini (Designer, Architect) and Clair Chinnery (Senior Lecturer Fine Art, Oxford Brookes).  

Morning talks and afternoon children’s activities are free.

Tickets for the specialist creative workshops can be purchased at £5 through www.ticketsoxford.com 

Dan's preparations and construction processes in the making of the Egyptian headrest copy

Dan Harrison, our talented and insightful intern/trainee, made a copy of a 4500-year-old Egyptian headrest. The copy is on display in our exhibition Forest to Furniture: Ideas in the Making at the River Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames. Dan had a great day researching the headrest with wonderful support from the staff at the Pitts Rivers Museum, Oxford, where the original headrest is on display. 

The photos here show Dan’s preparation and the various stages involved in the construction of the headrest copy.

Did you know that woodworkers have been at the centre of civilization building, from the first settlements over 10,000 years ago to the present day?

The original Egyptian headrest, made 4,500 years ago.
It's on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

The original Egyptian headrest was made 4,500 years ago. The three sections are joined using a mortice and tenon joint, a method of construction ONLY employed in Britain for the last 500 years. It has been carved to create a very elegant form.

Copy of the headrest, made by Dan Harrison
On display at River Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames