unearthed offers you the opportunity to get up close to these tiny, enigmatic figurines and to consider some of the mysteries of these ancient objects. Why were village dwellers in two unconnected regions making human forms from clay? Why were figurines commonly broken? What were they used for? What was their significance? How do they inform our understanding of early art? The exhibition poses this and other unresolved questions for art and archaeology.

unearthed challenges us to think more widely about figurines and the expression of the human form. This is explored with a series of contemporary artworks and images, including photographs and animations.

Collection your bisuit-fired figurine made by artist Sue Maufe (with your ticket, subject to availability) and experience the tactile quality of the objects you will see on display.

The exhibition is accompanied by a book, published by Oxbow Books, which is available from the Sainsbury Centre Gallery Shop.

unearthed is curated by Professor Douglass Bailey (San Francisco State University), Dr Andrew Cochrane (University of East Anglia) and Dr Simon Kaner (Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures).

Developed by the Sainsbury Centre and the Sainsbury Institute

Supported by Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Henry Moore Foundation, Japan Foundation, The Duke of Omnium Fund.