The Ulster Museum consistently tops lists of things to do in Belfast, especially those based on free activities. The museum is within ten minutes walk from my home, so I regularly visit.
Recent visits include seeing the Silent Testimony exhibition as well as attending a talk from an astronaut.
Exhibitions are always changing and if you visited recently, I promise there will be something new if you were to return soon. The exhibitions currently on display (as of 15 January 2016) are:
Things Left Unsaid
Things Left Unsaid is a collection of photographs taken by Paul Seawright, a Professor of Photography and the Head of the School of Art at the University of Ulster.
These photographs document US television studios that the war in Iraq was filmed in. They show the selectiveness of what is broadcast to the public.
They do not show the war itself; those are the ‘things left unsaid’.
The first and last portraits of Irish poet Seamus Heaney
Crafted: The Fine Art of Furniture
This exhibition displays three centuries of wooden furniture. Many pieces on display have an Irish connection so harps and other Celtic designs are aplenty.
My favourite piece was the ladies writing table and the newest piece displayed is from 2014.
Framed: People & Place in Irish Photography
This gallery is one that you can miss easily, but this collection of photographs is one of my favourite parts of the museum.
This display of historic photographs ranging from the 1850s to modern day shows the changes of life in Northern Ireland during this period.
I loved this gallery; there are some beautiful pictures taken in the early 1900s that look like they could have been taken today (in my humble opinion). There are photographs of landscapes, people and it was fascinating to see the changes in Belfast scenery during this period.
Elements
That face is because I am definitely winning at the quiz…
This display is as current as it gets; I visited within a week of the announcement of the discoveries of the newest elements and the team had already updated the exhibition’s periodic table.
Here elements are explained simply. You learn how they form, where they occur naturally and what we use them for. There is also a section that shows you the dangers of the elements.
There is a (child sized) board that quizzes you on your knowledge of the elements. I don’t want to say how well I did…
The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour
‘Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 63’ leads this display that also includes works of art by other Danish artists from the 17th century.
Rembrandt is well-known for his self-portraits, completing 80 in his lifetime. This piece is his final one, completed in the last year of his life.
This exhibition is a special one and I cannot wait to go back to visit.
Practical Information
Address: Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim BT9 5AB
Website: http://nmni.com/
What museums can you keep returning to and never get bored?
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