Visual Arts January (1).qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2021 14:28 Page 1
Visual Arts previews from around the region
Miss Clara And The Celebrity Beast In Art The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 27 February
The latest in the Barber’s ongoing series of masterpiece-in-focus displays revolves around an 18th-century rhinoceros known as Miss Clara. Brought to mainland Europe in 1741 - and the first rhino to be sighted there since 1579 Clara was presented to kings, queens, courtiers and commoners at destinations across the continent. She died in London in 1758. This fascinating exhibition is built around a small bronze sculpture of Miss Clara (one of the most popular art works in the Barber’s collection) and also features a selection of other pieces in bronze and marble. The display examines the emergence of menageries and zoos, as well as considering the capturing of animals such as Clara within the context of colonialism and empire.
56 whatsonlive.co.uk
