A creative writing workshop and archaeological talk will be run in conjunction with NERAM’s newest exhibition OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE that opened on September 7.

The new exhibition links ancient and more modern objects and artworks to investigate common themes such as love, vanity, motherhood, mourning, adornment and more. It features more than 20 ancient objects including a vessel from Cyprus dating back to 2000 to 1650 BC.

A collaboration between the NERAM and the University of New England’s Museum of Antiquities, the exhibition also includes thought provoking texts by 10 experts, drawing out the themes and giving their own unique perspectives, resulting in an absorbing exploration of ideas and viewpoints.

“OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE is the latest collaboration between NERAM and the University of New England that aims to explore our respective collections and find interesting connections across different kinds of art and museum items,” said NERAM director Rachael Parsons.

“As always, it has been a really stimulating experience working with the staff at UNE, the curatorial team has come up with a unique exhibition concept.

“This is a fascinating exhibition that looks at how ideas, rituals, way of making and living have continued throughout history, demonstrated through both depictions in artworks and antiquity objects.

“The thing that really brings the exhibition together are the written responses that provide insight and an expanded way of looking at and understanding the paintings and objects on display. I think visitors are going to greatly enjoy the exhibition.”

The creative writing workshop – ‘Object biofictions: creative writing and archaeology’ – will combine archaeology, creative writing, and digital media. Participants can learn about an ancient object and fill in the gaps in its story with their own imagination. This free workshop will be held on October 10 from 6pm to 8:30pm.

Another public event – ‘Stories from the Field’, a night of archaeologists sharing their curious adventures, spills and thrills of working in the field – will be held on Thursday September 19 from 6 to 8pm.

Speakers include Professor Martin Gibbs – A field team digs on its stomach: the gastronomic challenges of archaeological research; Professor Lloyd Weeks – Backfilling for Pottsie: the strange places a ‘just say yes’ policy can take a humble grad student and Adjunct Professor June Ross – Raiders of the Lost Art: rose coloured glasses and the desert.

The exhibition is co-curated by Alina Kozlovski (UNE), Belinda Hungerford (NERAM), and Bronwyn Hopwood (UNE) with texts written by Matthew Allen, James Brooks, Penny Craswell, Lily Dedman, Mahalath Halperin, Felicity Joseph, Peter Langston, Jennifer McDonell, Siobhan O’Hanlon, and Lou Streeting.

Part of the exhibition includes a touch and play area where you can handle some of the replica ancient objects that have been made with a 3D printer by Jackson Shoobert and Emma Watt from UNE.

All workshops can be booked at: www.neram.com.au/whats-on/category/workshops/

For more information contact NERAM communications officer Rochelle Tubb at communications@neram.com.au or call (02) 6772 5255.