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Glenn Ligon: All Over The Place

Glenn Ligon: All Over The Place

20 September 2024 - 2 March 2025

Pay what you wish

Our exhibitions and displays remain free but you can now choose to make a donation.

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Experience the work of American contemporary artist Glenn Ligon in our landmark exhibition bringing together works by the artist alongside his unique interventions in our galleries.

Widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary artists working today, Ligon is best known for his text-based paintings which include the words of writers such as James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein and Zora Neale Hurston. Through these artworks, he explores the social, cultural and political constructions of race.

Alongside Ligon’s original paintings, sculptures and prints, All Over The Place presents a series of site-specific interventions curated by the artist throughout the Museum aimed at peeling back the layers of history and meaning to reveal a new perspective on our collection. 

From the installation of his large-scale neon Waiting for the Barbarians (2021) in our portico entrance to the artist’s commentary of select artworks and objects from our collection, Ligon describes the exhibition as a ‘thread that winds its way through the Fitzwilliam, loose in some places, taut in others, which the visitor can choose to follow or encounter serendipitously.'

Glenn Ligon: All Over The Place is generously funded by De Ying Foundation. We are grateful to The Ampersand Foundation for their additional support of the installation of 'Waiting for the Barbarians'. We would also like to thank The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Marlay Group for their donation to the exhibition, and the Fitzwilliam Museum Development Trust, who contributed to the catalogue costs.

FAQS

This display is free to visit and there's no need to book, but you can now choose to make a donation by visiting one of the multiple cash and contactless donation points throughout the Museum or making a donation online through our website: https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/support-us/make-a-donation 

Yes. We aren’t ticketing this exhibition so you’re welcome to just turn up within opening hours    

For groups larger than 10, booking is required. Please visit our website for more information about group visits: https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/group-visits 

About your visit 

I’m a Friend or a Marlay Group member, do I still need to book a ticket? 

No. Visitors don’t need to book a ticket for this exhibition, including members. 

How can I join as a Friend or Marlay Group member? 

For details on becoming a Friend of the Fitzwilliam Museum or a member of the Marlay Group, visit our website.

How do I book a school visit? 

For school bookings, please contact our learning team: education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk 

How do I enter the Museum? 

You can enter the Museum via the Main Entrance (step access) or the Courtyard Entrance (step-free access) where you will be greeted by a member of our visitor experience team.   

Is there a limit on how long I can spend in the exhibition? 

There is no time limit for entry to our exhibitions. You can find displays and interventions from the exhibition throughout the Museum and you are welcome to spend as much time as you want exploring the objects, artworks and spaces. 

I also want to visit the ‘Paris 1924’ exhibition, do I need a separate ticket? 

Yes, you will need to book a ticket to visit our exhibition 'Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body'. Tickets for our exhibitions and displays remain free but you now have the option to make a donation when booking. Prebook your tickets online in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time. Walk up tickets are available on the day, but you may need to wait during busy times. 

Do I need a ticket to visit the rest of the Museum? 

We are no longer ticketing for general admission, you’re welcome to stay and explore our collection for as long as you like within our opening hours. 

Why is ‘Paris 1924’ ticketed and the Glenn Ligon exhibition not? 

'Glenn Ligon: All Over The Place' is an exhibition of art interventions which takes place across the whole Museum in conversation with our permanent collection, rather than presented in a specific exhibition gallery space such as ‘Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body’. 

What are the exhibition opening times and when is last admission?   

The exhibition is open during normal Museum opening hours. We’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays, 12 – 5pm. Last admission to the Museum is 4.40pm. The exhibition is closed 24 – 26 December and 1 January 2025. 

Where can I make a donation on the day? 

Donations can be made at the Courtyard Entrance (step-free access) or the Founder’s Entrance, as well as multiple cash and contactless donation points throughout the Museum. 

Where can I find information about accessibility? 

We provide full details on our accessibility and facilities. If you have any special access requirements, please contact us: enquiries@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk or 01223 332900 and we'll be happy to help.     

Is photography allowed?   

You may take photographs and videos in all of our galleries for non-commercial, personal use only. Full details of our photography and filming policy are available.     

Will you be giving out maps? 

As the title suggests, this exhibition is ‘All Over The Place’. For this reason, maps guiding you through the exhibition are available to pick up at both entrances. 

What events are taking place? 

We have a range of exhibition-related talks and events taking place at the Museum, you can view our what’s on programme. 

I'm a member of the press, where can I find more information about exhibitions?   

If you have a media enquiry about exhibitions, or want to request images and footage for use in the press, please contact our press team. 

Donations

Do I need to make a donation to view the exhibition? 

No, entry to the Museum and our displays remains free. However, income generation through donations is vital for the delivery of all areas of our work and without your help, we can no longer continue to plan, research and produce award-winning exhibitions of this scale and importance.   

Can I donate online? 

Yes, you can donate online by visiting our website and clicking the ‘Support Us’ tab. Click ‘Make a donation’ and simply enter the amount you wish to pay. Every donation makes a big difference – give as much or as little as you wish.  

Can I donate in-person?    

Yes, there are multiple cash and contactless donation points throughout the Museum.   

What is my donation helping to fund?   

Your donation will be used to help fund all areas of our work including the conservation and care of our collection, the delivery of our award-winning exhibitions, our research, learning, community and events programmes, as well as the maintenance of our Grade I listed building.    

Is the Fitzwilliam Museum a registered charity? 

We operate as an Institution within the University of Cambridge, which is an exempt charity in the UK, subject to regulation by the Office for Students (OfS) under the Charities Act 2011   

What is the lowest amount I can donate?   

You can choose to donate as little or as much as you wish.   

What do I receive for making a donation?   

Your donation is a gift for charity. In return, we hope you enjoy the research, education, conservation, acquisitions, exhibitions and collections that have been made possible through your act of generosity. 

The exhibition 

What themes are explored in the exhibition?   

Through his artworks, American contemporary artist Glenn Ligon explores the social, cultural and political constructions of race and how meanings are made in society and the part museums play in this. The artist’s site-specific interventions throughout the Museum also offer new perspectives on our collection to open up new conversations on artworks and the way they are displayed. 

Is this exhibition suitable for children? 

This exhibition is for everyone and all ages are welcome to visit. 

Where is Glenn Ligon: All Over The Place located in the Museum? 

The exhibition takes place across several galleries in the Museum and there are artworks and interventions to be discovered in Galleries 6, 7, 8, 10, 16, 17 and 26 as well as outside our main entrance in the portico.   

Specially designed labels and graphics will guide you to the work in each space and the map indicates which space holds an intervention and display. 

Where does the exhibition start?   

Although there is no designated start or end point for this exhibition, a printed room-by-room map is available to pick up on arrival which highlights the locations of all featured artworks and interventions across the Museum. 

The introductory text will be printed on the map and in Galleries 6 and 26, which are the two closest positioned Ligon galleries to our entrances. 

Exhibition files and maps

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