A N N U A L R E P O R T - The Ashmolean Museum

24 / Highlights of the Annual Report 2004–05
A New Flowering: 1000 Years of Botanical
Art
2 May – 11 September 2005
This major exhibition matched contemporary
paintings from the acclaimed Shirley Sherwood
collection of botanical art to the rich historical
treasures of Oxford's libraries and museums,
dating back to the 11 th century. Including
medieval illuminated manuscripts, lavish and
exotic 18 th century publications and paintings by
contemporary artists worldwide, this unique
display illustrated the artistic and scientific
development of plant portraits over the past
millennia. Botanical art has undergone a
renaissance in recent decades, and with the
support of Shirley Sherwood and the work of
high profile artists, such as Margaret Mee
(1909–88) and Rory McEwen (1932–82), this
genre has become highly regarded and popular
leading to its golden age today.
The Ashmolean Inter-faith
Exhibition Service (AIFES)
Report of the Director, Professor James Allan
AIFES became fully operational during the academic year 2004–5 with the
appointments of Professor James Allan as Director and Dr Ruth Barnes as
Curator and Researcher. Also, for part of the year, Leo Jungen-oh researched
a future exhibition topic, ‘Spiritual Guides’. Although AIFES is supported by
the Museum with two part-time posts for two years, there is an obvious need
to find additional money for staff costs. However, the immediate prospects
for AIFES were greatly enhanced by the generosity of the High Sheriff of
Oxfordshire and local businessman Ian Laing, who offered to sponsor the
first exhibition, ‘Pilgrimage: the Spiritual Journey’, which will be held in the
Museum’s MacAlpine Gallery from 12 January – 2 April 2006. This
exhibition will be drawn almost exclusively from Oxford University’s own art
collections, particularly those of the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt-Rivers
Museum, the History of Science Museum and the Bodleian Library. The
exhibition will be opened by the Bishop of Oxford. A consultative committee
of representatives of local religious communities is being set up, and a variety
of activities are being organised to build the key links between the Museum
and those religious communities, local schools and adult groups. A book on
pilgrimage, co-edited by Dr Ruth Barnes and Dr Crispin Branfoot, is being
produced for the exhibition and will be published by the Museum. Plans for
further exhibitions around the UK will depend on our ability to raise the
necessary funds.