EXHIBITION: White Horses and Hill Figures
Thursday, 25 March, 2010

Our major exhibition this year explores the mysterious chalk hill figures carved into the landscape of Britain - with a particular emphasis on Wiltshire.

There are many white horses and hill figures carved into the landscape across the country, from the Uffington White Horse, to the Cerne Abbas Giant and the Long Man of Wilmington.

Our exhibition focuses primarily on the chalk figures of Wiltshire where spirited white horses can be seen galloping across the chalk downlands and military badges stamp poignant reminders of the past into the landscape.

To see and hear more about the exhibition, see our Exhibitions Officer, Jenna Spellane, interviewed by Vision News South..

Exploring their location, design, history, legends, folklore and maintenance requirements the exhibition features some stunnning aerial photographs provided by Last Refuge Ltd, to whom we are immensely grateful. The exhibition also includes historical items and ephemera, as well as artistic interpretations through photographs, artwork, ceramics and poetry from local, national and international artists. Items from the Museum's own collection not usually on show are included, together with items from other organisations and private collectors.

During August artworks by locally and nationally important artists were added to the exhibition, including examples of work by artists, David Inshaw, Brian Rusher, Helen Chester and Sarah Padwick.

A number of events have taken place to complement the exhibition including a day school exploring the chalk figures carved into the landscape of Britain; an evening walk to the Devizes Millennium White Horse a White Horse themed Family Day and an art competition to design a hill figure..

Due to the popularity of the exhibition we have organised two more special events:

* Wiltshire White Horses and Hill Figures Forum on Saturday 11 September. For further information click here.

* A 'walk and talk' on Sunday 24 October to see where two of Wiltshire's white horses face each other. For details click here.

The exhibition has been so popular that it's run has been extended to 27 February 2011.

Photo © - Dae Sasitorn and Adrian Warren, Last Refuge Ltd. Authors of the book 'England: An Aerial View'.

Booking:

Not required. Museum open seven days a week 10am to 5pm (Sundays noon to 4pm)