Visions of Ancient Egypt supported by Viking

This review is a combination of an overview from our newest reviewer, Ben Hunt, keep an eye out for him in the future. Also contributing is Kevin M a wizened old reviewer who it is believed was around in ancient Egypt

Ben Hunt PART 1

Gathering myself to prepare to enter the Visions of Ancient Egypt exhibit at the Sainsbury’s Centre, I remained in the dark on how such an ancient civilisation could still influence our modern world. However, upon entering the exhibit, my curiosity was piqued and soon blown away by the variety of art forms I saw. From neon-lit portraits of Cleopatra to traditional portrait and sculpture, there is something to appreciate here regardless of your taste in art. I learnt of modern artists attempting to redefine what the identity of Cleopatra could be; the challenge of stereotyping such an unknown figure, and what that meant for the art world. I learnt also that upon the bicentenary anniversary of the decoding of the hieroglyphics by Champollion, it seems only right that this ancient civilisation be given its well-deserved spotlight in art - and that this exhibit does it justice.

Kevin M words PART 2

Life they say, is a learning experience, and it certainly was for me when I visited this exhibition. I thought I had a cursory knowledge on Egypt, you know pyramids, Cleopatra and hieroglyphics. How wrong I was, I had not even scratched the surface.

The first surprise to me was that I did not realise, The Romans invaded Egypt in 80 BC. From what they found, and presumably looted, it greatly influenced their own society in the forms of the icons, gods and style.

Following the route of the exhibition you are guided from BC to present day, and what a journey. This tour has nearly 200 exhibits from around the UK and across the world. So congratulations to the curators (Ben and Anna), and the executive director Jago Cooper, on their tenacity, and of course SCVA for hosting.

In the first area you are amongst the exhibits for BC. I was amazed by two items in the case on the left as you follow the trail. A stone bust looking nearly as grand as it would have when carved, and a small amethyst type item, no bigger than my fingernail, with a likeness of an Egyptian Queen. What craftsmanship. In this zone were also representations of Cleopatra. Often our source of history is written by the victors in any conflict. The Romans would have seen Cleopatra as a threat to Roman values, and portrayed her that way. Whereas, she was viewed by her own scribes as a protective ruler and scholar. This the first of many Visions of Ancient Egypt as depicted by the victors. I only raise this, as I did not realise the number of times Egypt had been subjected to foreign rule, The Ottoman Empire, Napoleon and the British to name but a few.

Pastime Ancient Egypt Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1864

Ruins of a Temple Kom Om : David Roberts 1842-1843

This in turn lead to a range of visions and imaginations of Egypt based on a multitude of sources, ranging from first hand accounts to fantasy. Your journey around the exhibition will take you chronologically through these visions in the form of paintings, pottery, sculptures, furniture, artefacts and the lasting influence Egyptian culture has had on style and fashion over the centuries.

Clear yourself a good 2-3 hours to take in this exhibition, it will be time well spent.

It is quite fitting the exhibition is on this year, as it marks two celelberations. It is 200 years since Jean-Francois Champollon decrypted the hieroglyphics of Egypt, and 100 years ago that Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen.