This Anti-Valentine’s, we’re peeking beneath the sheets with a one-night-only exploration of the beauty and brilliance of our bodies.
Marking the launch of our latest exhibition – Beneath the Sheets: Anatomy, Art and Power – we will take a hands-on look at the curiosity, controversy, and queering of anatomical art, and what it is that keeps drawing us back to the body.
Expect live dissections, get creative with life drawing and crafts, get bite-size-informed with short, sharp speed tours, plus gain thought-provoking insight from our expert speakers.
Live Deep Dives
Join a fascinating panel to unpack ideas around queer and marginalised bodies in archives and anatomy. Featuring Kit Heyam – queer trans writer, academic, trainer and heritage practitioner; Marlowe Mitchell – interdisciplinary artist whose work explores and uncovers queer and trans histories; and Dr Aisia Lee – a foundation year doctor and founder of Anatome, a student-led initiative aimed at diversifying the anatomical and medical curriculum.
Plus live talks from very special guests …
- The Past, Present and Future of Anatomy and Anatomical Teaching with Dr Lucy Hyde (University of Bristol)
- The Role of Art in Anatomical Knowledge with Mark Roughley (Liverpool John Moores)
- ‘Irrelevant’ Body Parts with Dr Jack Gann (Thackray Museum of Medicine)
Live Music
Leeds-local DJ Weak Spell has been mashing up genres across the city; expect an eclectic mix beats to liven up your evening.
Live Anatomy
Join consultant histopathologist and Thackray Late favourite Dr Hannah Hawrot in our very own Victorian Operating Theatre for a live dissection demonstration. (Please note that animal organs will be used in this demonstration).
Live Art
Drop-in to our breathtaking Apothecary for life drawing sessions led by artist and tutor Amelia Wood, known for her popular non-traditional life drawing classes at Left Bank Leeds.
PLUS Boris Cruse, from NorthLight Arts Centre in Leeds, will be drawing live in our temporary gallery – see the artworks develop through the night!
Live Crafts
Have a go at making your own fun, personal, realistic or fantastical anatomical paper flap model (referred to as ‘fugitive sheets’) with our Curator of Cultural Narrative, Jioni Warner.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day … make a scratch art anti-Valentine’s card or take a moment for yourself with some mindful adult anatomical colouring.
Not forgetting…
Take a close-up look at some rarely seen objects from the Thackray’s vast collection stores, including an 18th century embalming kit and a trove of rare books.
Take a speed-dating tour of the museum with one of our in-house experts – discover the best stories and most surprising objects.
Grab a drink and a bite to eat at the Thackray Café and Bar whilst taking in DJ Weak Spell’s sounds.
Thackray Lates is our series of adult-only (18+) evening events , exploring unusual topics and untold stories through talks, medical experiments, workshops and performances.