ASHMOLEAN NOW: DAPHNE WRIGHT

13 Jun 2025 to 8 Feb 2026

Gallery 8

Admission FREE

This was the fourth in the Ashmolean NOW exhibition series, where contemporary artists are invited to create new work inspired by the Ashmolean’s historical collections.

This exhibition focused on sculptures by Irish artist Daphne Wright and has been curated by Ashmolean director, Xa Sturgis.

Conceived in partnership with the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, the exhibition featured several new works which consider the tradition of still lifes and respond to the sculptures in our Cast Gallery.

Daphne Wright works in unfired clay and jesmonite and has long experimented with casting.

Central to the exhibition was Sons and Couch, a life-size sculptural artwork cast in jesmonite of the artist’s sons, made especially for this show. They have featured in their mother’s moving and personal work since an early age. This sculpture of them as young men was created with their agreement and collaboration.

Also on show was her Fridge Still Life, which had not been on public display previously, alongside other works by Wright and objects from the Ashmolean's own collection.

Several works by the artist related both to the domestic and the Museum itself, and in doing so continue the exploration of time, memory and identity.

Two key Ashmolean pieces that spoke directly to Wright's work were included in the exhibition: the fragments of a young Hercules defeating the Nemean Lion in plaster and Rachel Ruysch's intricate painting, 'A Forest Floor' Still Life of Flowers.

The creation of new artworks was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Arts Council of Ireland

Additional support from:
Culture Ireland

Ashmolean Collective
Frith Street Gallery, London