Reading Museum welcomes its latest exhibition ‘In the Company of Monsters: New Visions, Ancient Myths’ which will take place in the Sir John Madejski Art Gallery.

‘In the Company of Monsters’ will run from September 23 to February next year. The exhibition will display contemporary works by artists Eleanor Crook, Paul Reid, and Michael Ayrton. This will mark the first time this group of artists' work has been brought together.

All artistic creations share an interest in retelling ancient myths of body difference, diversity, and hybridity.  Inspired by dreams, or nightmares, the creatures portrayed ask vital questions about humanity’s place in nature. The work of all three artists also explores the biological and artistic meaning of diversity and difference, and the vital role that history plays in our understanding of the dynamic working of natural history.  

The images of Minotaurs and other mythical Ancient Greek hybrids are contextualised by objects, texts, and artworks from the University of Reading and Reading Museum collections. Visit the Museum’s website to get hold of ‘The Company of Monsters’ programme of related talks, workshops, and residencies.

Some of these events include ‘Making Mutants: How and Why We Break Genes on Purpose’ which will take place on October 10, and ‘Player vs. Monster: The Making and Breaking of Video Game Monstrosity’ which will be on November 25.

On Saturday afternoons, attendees will get the chance to chat with students including the University Myth Club who, amongst other things, imagine contemporary endings to the ancient.