Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Discover the link between women's clothing and their roles in society between 1900 and 1950s. From glamorous gowns to practical overalls, this exhibition showcases what women were wearing and why they were wearing it

Suitable for

• Any age

The exhibition explores a range of artistic responses to the human body. At its heart is Burne-Jones’s Pygmalion series (1878), which brings together the five themes explored in the exhibition: the body as a focus for the artist's observation, the creation of the 'ideal' body, the mutation of the body, art as the means of preserving and memorialising the body, and the body as a vehicle for the artist's imagination and fantasy.

Exposed includes works by Albrecht Dürer, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Barbara Hepworth, Helen Chadwick and Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

It's been argued that fashion held its breath during the First World War and also conversely that war brought about a dramatic shift in the way women in particular saw themselves. Did fashion matter in the First World War – and what might be its legacy?

Suitable for

• Any age

Art Takeover Day

• 3 January 2014 10:30am-4pm

Featuring a selection of our best loved make and take workshops from the past few years, get out of the house and create your own works of art inspired by the Herbert's collection. 10:30 and 15:30.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Artist's Insight; Lisa Gunn in Conversation

• 16 January 2014 6:30-8pm

Join artist Lisa Gunn to discuss the motivation behind her work and her work processes in an informal gallery setting. There will be an opportunity for you to get involved and ask questions.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Play Days give children aged 1-3 an opportunity to explore and investigate through sensory play. Using a variety of recycled materials, fabrics and tactile objects we will create a relaxed play space that will encourage creativity in children and adults. As an explorative session, the aim is to let the children lead the play rather than the adult

Suitable for

• 0-4

Guided by artist Tanya Kozin, you will produce your own small human figure sculpture in the first workshop and focus on the detail of hand sculpture in the second workshop. Both workshops will work from a life model. Taking inspiration from our Exposed exhibition, your clay sculptures can be taken home as a lasting memento of your day.

Suitable for beginners upwards aged 16+. All materials provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Booking is essential

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Life Drawing with a Difference

• 8 February 2014 8-10:30pm

Short sketches, playful poses and masses of merriment. Drawing from a clothed life model, you can be as serious or as silly as you like, with some fun prizes on offer. Led by Emma O'Brien, these events are very popular so book your place early. Suitable for age 16+. Materials included and bar available.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17
• Family friendly

Admission

Drawing the Body

• 15 February 2014 1:30-4pm
• 1 March 2014 1:30-4pm

Working from a life model inspired by our Exposed exhibition each workshop will offer new and challenging poses. Suitable for beginners or those with some experience aged 16+. All materials provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Booking is essential.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17
• Not suitable for children

Admission

Collection Conversations

• 18 February 2014 11am-1pm

Drop into What's In Store and handle items from our natural history, archaeology and social history collections. Curators will be on hand to answer your questions.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

Herbert Illumination: The Medieval Magdalen

• 18 February 2014 12:30-1:30pm

This talk from Leah Mellors, Social History Curatorial Trainee at the Herbert, explores the medieval ideal of Mary Magdalen and asks why she was one of the most popular female saints during the Middle Ages.

Suitable for

• Any age
• Family friendly

A Short History of Drawing

• 1 March 2014 11am-12pm

What's behind the drawing? Art historian David Packwood offers a brief history of drawing, referencing the diverse artworks on display in Exposed.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17
• Not suitable for children

Herbert Illumination: Curator Talk

• 18 March 2014 1:30-2:30pm

Join Victoria Osborne, Curator (Fine Art) from Birmingham Museums as she explores selected works within the Exposed exhibition from a curatorial perspective.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Join us for a foray into the realm of creation. Make use of a range of unusual materials to create your own masks supported by artist Adie Blundell and inspired by Gillian Wearing's photograph of a masked Lily Cole. Liberated behind your mask you can reveal your confessions and desires, be they real or another creation.

There is no dress code but guests are invited to fulfil their sartorial desires and dress as wildly and wonderfully as they like, or not. Suitable for age 16+. Materials included and bar available

Suitable for

• 18+

Admission

Herbert Illuminations: Women in Art

• 15 April 2014 12:30-1:30pm

Explore the changing approach to depicting the female body, particularly by contemporary female artists.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17
• Not suitable for children