Discover Willard’s Top 5 Exhibitions to visit this Spring 2016 in our latest blog post. As art lovers ourselves, we’ve been looking for the most interesting exhibitions to visit this Spring in the UK, and there are certainly a lot to choose from ranging from a fascinating showcase of Leonardo da Vinci’s pioneering enginerring and a wonderfully nostalgic insight into the illustrations of fictional characters that are orphaned, adopted or found – which one will you be visiting?
1. Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius Where: The Science Museum, London When: Until 4th September 2016.
This exhibition presents a unique insight into the renaissance polymath and his pioneering work in engineering and manufacturing. Expect to see 39 historical models of Leonardos inventions, large-scale reproductions of his famous drawings as well as modern examples of bio-inspired robotics and technology, plus much more.
More info here.
2. Future Makers 2016 Where: Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester When: Until 29th May 2016
As well as celebrating 10 years of the MMU Graduate Award, this exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to discover the brightest future stars of craft and design. Handpicked from across the UK, this exhibition showcases a diverse array of talent including illustrators, jewellers, glass artists and furniture makers to name just a few.
More info here.
3. Document Scotland: The Ties That Bind Where: Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh When: Until 24th April 2016
A collection of 50-75 photographs documenting Scotland and its people at the time of the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum. As a pivotal moment in history, this non-biased exhibition provides a wonderfully visual narrative of the feeling at the time in the country.
More info here.
4. Drawing on Childhood Where: The Foundling Museum, London When: Until 1st May 2016
Calling all literature lovers, this one is for you. This exhibition showcases the illustration of fictional characters that are orphaned, adopted or found and explores how illustrators have depicted them and brought these child heroes to life. Original drawings, special commissions and first editions featuring characters such as Cinderella and James Trotter (James and the Giant Peach) make this a small but perfectly formed exhibition that is well worth a visit.
More info here.
5. Treasures: Adventures in Archaeology Where: National Museum Cardiff, Wales When: Until 30th October 2016
Celebrating ‘2016, The Year of Adventure in Wales’, this exciting exhibition is guaranteed to have the whole family hooked. Expect to see extraordinary treasures from pop culture alongside some of the greatest archaeological discoveries and treasures from ancient worlds. Highlights include an Egyptian Mummy and a crystal skull from the film, Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
More info here.