Skull of Phorusrhacos longissimus) At two and a half metres tall, Phorusrhacos longissimus is an example of a 'terror bird', top predators that lived in South America about 50 million years ago.

Skip to page content

Primary navigation

Darwin's Canopy

4 June - 14 September 2008
10.00 - 17.30
Admission free  

See the initial sketches, drawings and mock-ups of 10 shortlisted artists, proposing to create a new Darwin-inspired artwork for one of the Museum’s ceilings in a gallery behind the Central Hall.

Ten artists, including former Turner Prize winners Mark Wallinger and Rachel Whiteread, display their proposals, one of which has been selected to become a permanent part of this famous Grade I listed building.

Tania Kovats has been selected unanimously by the judges and work has begun on her installation artwork TREE.

Her finished work will be unveiled in the gallery on the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth on 12 February 2009, 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species.

The Darwin's Canopy exhibition is the first event of Darwin200, a national celebration of Darwin's ideas, impact and influence at the time of his 200th birthday.

Find out more about Darwin200

.

  • Darwin's Canopy light green leaf graphic
    Exhibition

    Through text, film and graphic installations the exhibition shows the artists' proposals, explores Darwin's life and ideas and how the artists have been inspired by him.

  • Darwin's Canopy dark green leaf graphic
    Concept

    Discover why the artists were invited to create proposals for the ceiling, the process they went through and how the judges will choose the final artwork.

  • Darwin's Canopy white leaf graphic
    Artists

    Find out who the 10 artists are and what aspect of Darwin's work has inspired their proposals.

Print version