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Compton Verney - Exhibitions

The TAOTIE

 

After an 18-month residency at Compton Verney, Gayle Chong Kwan (b.1974) presents an exhibition of her new work alongside Compton Verney’s internationally renowned Chinese collection of bronze food and wine vessels from the Shang Dynasty (about 1500 – about 1050 BCE) to the Ming Dynasty (1369 – 1644 CE).

The artist, known for large scale installations of videos and photos, has created seven new photographic works, responding to the collection during her residency. They are accompanied by ‘shrines’ made up of newly cast bronze offerings, and incorporate references to Chinese, Taoist and Buddhist cultures, as well as focusing on ideas around food, soil and the body.

The title of the exhibition refers to a Chinese mythical creature that would commonly be emblazoned on Shang Dynasty bronzes. She has made her own personal three-dimensional taotie motifs, made from collaged images and photographs, all different shapes and sizes. Each work will refer to a different Chinese animal of the zodiac, as well as drawing upon the myths of the Hungry Ghost festival, common in East Asian countries in which spirits of deceased ancestors rise.

The ambitious show will explore sustenance, memory and rituals, while also directly highlighting the politics and provenance of collections and museums in the modern age.

Gayle Chong Kwan is undertaking an artist residency with Compton Verney as part of the 20/20 project, led by the UAL Decolonising Arts Institute and supported by funding from Arts Council England, the Freelands Foundation and University of the Arts London.

BOOK HERE:

https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/whats-on/the-taotie/

Exhibition runs until March 2026

 

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Easter Trail

Thu 24th Apr 2025 10:00am to 05:00pm

While delivering Easter eggs to Compton Verney, the Easter Bunny accidentally left his lunch in some of the baskets.

Easter at the Butterfly Farm

Thu 24th Apr 2025 10:00am to 06:00pm

It’s all about the ‘Egg’ at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm during the Easter holidays from 12– 27 April!

Much Ado About Nothing

Thu 24th Apr 2025 01:15pm

The winners are back from the action and a celebrity wedding is on the cards. But not everyone wants the big day to go off without a hitch.

The Haunted Ghost Tour by Lantern Light!

Thu 24th Apr 2025 06:00pm to 06:55pm

The tour takes place within the dark and eerie historic building, through the shadow corridors by lantern light. Depending on the amount of people on the tour, the duration is around 55 minutes.

Much Ado About Nothing

Thu 24th Apr 2025 07:15pm

The winners are back from the action and a celebrity wedding is on the cards. But not everyone wants the big day to go off without a hitch.

Easter Trail

Fri 25th Apr 2025 10:00am to 05:00pm

While delivering Easter eggs to Compton Verney, the Easter Bunny accidentally left his lunch in some of the baskets.

Easter at the Butterfly Farm

Fri 25th Apr 2025 10:00am to 06:00pm

It’s all about the ‘Egg’ at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm during the Easter holidays from 12– 27 April!

The Haunted Ghost Tour by Lantern Light!

Fri 25th Apr 2025 06:00pm to 06:55pm

The tour takes place within the dark and eerie historic building, through the shadow corridors by lantern light. Depending on the amount of people on the tour, the duration is around 55 minutes.

Much Ado About Nothing

Fri 25th Apr 2025 07:15pm

The winners are back from the action and a celebrity wedding is on the cards. But not everyone wants the big day to go off without a hitch.

Infinite Variety: Shakespeare's female characters in objects and words

Sat 26th Apr 2025 10:00am to 05:00pm

The new exhibition, Infinite Variety: Shakespeare's female characters in objects and words, at Shakespeare’s New Place is part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's multi-year project, The Women Who Made Shakespeare.

Easter Trail

Sat 26th Apr 2025 10:00am to 05:00pm

While delivering Easter eggs to Compton Verney, the Easter Bunny accidentally left his lunch in some of the baskets.

Easter at the Butterfly Farm

Sat 26th Apr 2025 10:00am to 06:00pm

It’s all about the ‘Egg’ at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm during the Easter holidays from 12– 27 April!