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Exhibitions and events

8 events

Pieces of paper laid out on the floor on top of each other.

Artists making books: poetry to politics
. Free .

This intriguing new show explores the history of artists taking on the medium of books.

Ink and colour picture showing the head and shoulders of an elderly Chinese woman with her hair tied back. She is wearing green earings and a blue jacket decorated with gold leaves around the neck.

China’s hidden century
. Final weeks .

In a global first, the resilience and innovation of 19th-century China is revealed through the stories of its remarkable individuals.

Dark red ants gather in a cluster on a peach-coloured background.

Ed Ruscha: roads and insects
. Free .

From life-sized depictions of insects to rusting road signs and the stretching highway, discover the work of the American artist Ed Ruscha.

A drawing of two apples on a branch, surrounded by deep green leaves

The genius of nature: botanical drawings by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues
. Free .

Revel in the beauty of nature at this display of works by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues – one of the most gifted botanical artists of his age...

Three figures and upon an ancient scroll.

Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies
. Coming soon .

A masterpiece of early Chinese figure painting, from the fifth to seventh century AD, displayed annually at the British Museum.

A black textile adorned with a colourful scene, including sitting figures surrounded by trees, a figure shooting an arrow towards the sky, and Hanuman flying through the air carrying a rock, Hanuman (possibly carrying the Mountain of Herbs or Building the Bridge to Lanka), and Hanuman talking to a sage (with two hares below).

Burma to Myanmar
. Book now .

Journeying through 1,500 years of cultural and political change, this exhibition charts a story of trade, faith and empire at the crossroads...

Empty view of the Japanese gallery.

13 Oct 2023 – 26 Apr 2024

The way of tea
. Free .

Discover the history of tea drinking and gathering in Japan in this free demonstration of a Japanese tea ceremony.

Two children in a dark room stood in front of a large sculpture - the child on the right shines a torch up at the sculpture while gesturing with their arm.

28 Oct 2023 – 29 Oct 2023

British Museum spooktacular sleepover
. Sold out .

Experience the Museum after dark and discover a world of magic, myths and mysterious spells.