What's on
Exhibitions
The Nature of Curious Objects: Sue Johnson’s Paper Museum
24 January - 10 June 2012
Artist Sue Johnson returns to the Pitt Rivers to show fifteen new works inspired by images of familiar types of ethnographic and archaeological objects in the illustrated catalogue of General Pitt-Rivers’s ‘second’ collection. Working in gouache, watercolour, and pencil on paper, and drawing on her extensive knowledge of natural history illustration, museums, and archives, Johnson redisplays and reorders familiar objects in new contexts and new juxtapositions.
An exhibition catalogue, greetings cards and post cards are available from the Museum shop. Quality reproduction images will be available from www.prmprints.com
Made for Trade
18 July 2011 to 27 January 2013
Indian silk textiles, a solar-powered prayer wheel, Maasai jewellery, a brick made of tea, parrot feather ornaments, moccasins with red 'Stroud' cloth, lustrous glass beads from Venice… from local markets to global networks this exhibition offers insights into the world of trade through the Museum's remarkable collections.
It will also feature a contemporary coffin built for a shop owner alongside a documentary highlighting the trend for themed coffins in Ghana that relate to the deceased's trade or pastime.
The exhibition forms part of a five-year project involving ten major European ethnography museums, entitled "Ethnography Museums and World Cultures - RIME". The project is funded with support from the European Commission.
Preview some of the exhibits
Archive highlight
The Colonial Album
9 January - 8 April 2012
This exhibition shows how very ‘ordinary’ albums from the colonial period can provide a unique insight into the colonial experience. Colonial albums are common, owned by many families who were involved in colonial activities, such as administration, missions, engineering, medical work or teaching. They are now recognised as important historical documents, and yet they are rarely seen. The albums exhibited were produced by Percy Coriat, Ernest Emley and William Freer Hill between 1905 and 1935, and relate to periods spent in Sudan, Kenya, and Nigeria respectively. Read further information.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention - An exhibition of work by Foundation Art &
Design students from Oxford Brookes University
3 February – 17 March 2012
The Fine Art and 3D Design students from the Art & Design Foundation course at Oxford Brookes have been eagerly making work over the Christmas break for a special exhibition. Selected work will explore the necessity of inventing and why people come up with solutions to help with everyday life. This is a joint exhibition with the Museum of the History of Science | Further information and exhibitors
Ghost Forest
Extended until 31 July 2012
Artist Angela Palmer's striking exhibition, 'Ghost Forest' features 10magnificent tree stumps from Ghana, displayed on the lawn in frontof the Museum. Various activities and events will be held amongstthe trees. www.ghostforest.org
Weekend Events
Pitt stops - First
Saturday of the month 13.00 - 16.00
Come and explore the Museum, discover something new and make something super to take home. Drop in sessions, suitable for children aged 5+.
Upcoming programme
Saturday Spotlight – Third Saturday of the month 14.30
Events focusing on the displays and their relevance today; find out more about the collections, meet curators, hear specialist speakers, or join in workshops. Suitable for adults and older children. Upcoming programme. Upcoming programme
Free Family Friendly Fun 
- Every Sunday 14.00 - 16.00
Try our activity backpacks, trails, story corner, craft activities and much more. Also in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Drop-in sessions, suitable for all ages.
Still Sunday Morning - Every Sunday 10.00 – 11.30
Still a good time of the week for a relaxed visit - space to draw, a chance to study or simply to stand and stare. At 10.45 watch a 45minute audio-visual presentation featuring Sir David Attenborough, introducing many familiar, and some easily missed, treasures of the collections. More ways to add variety to your visit.
Weekdays
Highlights tour
Wednesday 14.30 and 15.15
(except Wednesday 15 February due to holiday activities)
Volunteer-led introductory tour of the Museum. Tours last about 20 minutes. No booking necessary. Please gather at the Information point 5 minutes before the start of each tour.
School Holidays – 13.00 – 16.00 drop in sessions.
We offer self-guided activities and creative events during school holidays and half terms. Suitable for children aged 5+. Read more.
Friends of the Pitt Rivers Museum
A programme of lectures and events are held by the Friends of the Pitt Rivers. Read more.
Please note: an adult must accompany children at all events.
