New exhibitions at Museum & Art Swindon to be unveiled

Visitors will have the chance to explore an artistic representation of the region's landscapes and the literary legacy of Thomas Hardy.

The Wessex Landscapes exhibition, running from October 26 to February 8, 2025, features artwork from the Museum & Art Swindon collection, showcasing the diversity of the Wessex landscape.

The exhibition offers a visual journey across the region's varied environments.

Running alongside it, Hardy's Wessex celebrates the literary genius of Thomas Hardy, providing visitors with an "immersive" experience into the ideas that inspired some of his most iconic works.

The exhibition highlights the connection between his writing and the rural settings that shaped his novels and poetry.

Swindon Photographic Society is one of the current exhibitions (Image: Swindon Borough Council) Through a combination of manuscripts, historical artefacts, and rare editions of Hardy’s works, visitors can gain insights into how Wessex fuelled his creative imagination.

Interactive displays and multimedia installations will bring to life key locations from his novels, including Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Far From the Madding Crowd, and The Return of the Native.

Swindon Museums manager, Frances Yeo, said: "I’m so excited to see the two linked exhibitions of Wessex Landscapes and Hardy’s Wessex at Museum & Art Swindon.

"To be able to combine our own collections so effectively with an exhibition from our Wessex Museums Partnership shows how the museums team has really thought about our collections, our programme and how these can work in harmony.

"I’m delighted that we’re also able to show some of Hardy’s own handwritten work, helping visitors to glimpse the real person behind these well-known books."

In addition to these exhibitions, the museum is currently hosting Foundations: The Bomford and Phelps Gifts, running until December 7.

This exhibition celebrates the donation of artworks by two local collectors, forming the foundation of the Museum & Art Swindon’s British art collection.

Also running until December 7, Celebrating 125 years of the Swindon Photographic Society showcases work of current society members.

Images include landscapes, urban scenes, and the natural world.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for planning and placemaking, said: "We’ve got an amazing collection of art in Swindon and with the new Museum & Art Swindon location we’ve finally got a suitable venue to show it all off.

"If you’ve not visited Museum & Art Swindon yet, the new exhibitions present the perfect opportunity to finally step through the doors."