Being Human: Lives of the Dead - The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Date
8th Nov 2026
12:00 - 14:30
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About Being Human: Lives of the Dead - The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Lives of The Dead is a 'performance lecture' by artist and researcher Brigid McLeer made specifically for the Whitaker Museum as part of the one day Being Human event, What Time is Now?
The work is written and devised in response to the Tsantsa (Shrunken head) held in the museum collection. However, rather than focus directly on the complex ethical and cultural issues surrounding the Tsantsa, the work instead proposes to occupy the space created by the Tsantsa's withdrawal from public view as a space in which to reflect on how the 'dead' - human/animal, real and imaginary - are part of, rather than separate from, the living. And vice versa.
Situated in the Hardman Room taxidermy collection, this illustrated talk will draw on ideas and examples from the artist's own personal experience, as well as art, literature and religion to explore these difficult but vital questions.
In addition to the taxidermy 'objects' around us, the talk will include images of publicly displayed preserved human remains. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic and imagery shared Lives of The Dead is not suitable for Under 18s or those who might find such material upsetting.
Participants: 6 max
Run Time: 45 mins (max) TBC
The work is written and devised in response to the Tsantsa (Shrunken head) held in the museum collection. However, rather than focus directly on the complex ethical and cultural issues surrounding the Tsantsa, the work instead proposes to occupy the space created by the Tsantsa's withdrawal from public view as a space in which to reflect on how the 'dead' - human/animal, real and imaginary - are part of, rather than separate from, the living. And vice versa.
Situated in the Hardman Room taxidermy collection, this illustrated talk will draw on ideas and examples from the artist's own personal experience, as well as art, literature and religion to explore these difficult but vital questions.
In addition to the taxidermy 'objects' around us, the talk will include images of publicly displayed preserved human remains. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic and imagery shared Lives of The Dead is not suitable for Under 18s or those who might find such material upsetting.
Participants: 6 max
Run Time: 45 mins (max) TBC
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