Downland: art and the archaeological imagination in Wiltshire

About

Now open until 24 January 2026, this exhibition features the landscape and archaeology of Wiltshire, and includes new works by Rose Ferraby alongside rarely seen items from the Museum collections.

There has long been a hunger to discover the secrets of the Wiltshire landscape. The rich archaeology of earthworks and objects has engendered a sense of wonder and curiosity about the people who came before us, and how their lives have shaped the landscape we see today. This exhibition will focus on visual studies of the landscape and archaeology of Wiltshire, bringing together archaeological illustrations and fine art from the Wessex museums collections alongside new work by the artist. The new work will contemplate ways of seeing and recording, how sites have changed over time and what this can reveal about the future of these places. It will dig into the archaeological collections at the museum, and celebrate the myriad stories they have to tell.

Dr Rose Ferraby is an artist and archaeologist whose work often explores our relationships with landscapes through time. She is interested in finding ways of drawing out ideas and voices about landscapes through creative practice, and experimenting with ways of telling stories and creating connections. Her practice includes printmaking, collage, painting, sound and film, as well illustration and book design. She has created artwork for research projects and organisations, including for the British Museum. Rose writes and presents EarthWorks on BBC Radio 3, and Open Country for BBC Radio 4. She co-directs the Aldborough Roman Town Project in North Yorkshire.