Periodic Tales

About the
exhibition

The iconic periodic table represents the ultimate expression of order, containing the volatile elements in rows and columns. This exhibition explored a selection of the elements drawn from the periodic table (neon, uranium, gold, silver, carbon, iron, copper, mercury, colbolt, aluminium, sulphur, bronze, tin, lead, calcium) and looked at how artists have used them and their cultural meanings in their art.

Inside the exhibition visitors experienced the elements in unique and unexpected ways through historic and contemporary works by artists including Eduardo Paolozzi, Joseph Beuys, Joseph Wright of Derby, John Constable, Antony Gormley, Cornelia Parker, Marc Quinn, Lucy Skaer, Danny Lane, Bill Woodrow, Maria Lalic, Fiona Banner, Thomas Heatherwick, David Nash, Ken + Julia Yonetani and Roger Hiorns.

There were also two new commissions. A stunning neon work by Tim Etchells and a thoughtful carbon sculpture by Annie Cattrell.