‘Colour’ exhibition set to brighten Exeter museum this summer

A major new family-friendly exhibition exploring the science, art and cultural significance of colour will open at Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) this May.

Opening on Saturday 23 May 2026, Colour will bring together more than 150 objects spanning art, science, nature and cultural history, alongside interactive displays designed for visitors of all ages ahead of the summer school holidays.

Organised by Exeter City Council, the exhibition invites visitors to explore how colour shapes human experience and understanding, from perception and symbolism to its role in nature and technology.

Described as a “spectacular world of colour,” the exhibition examines how colour helps people and wildlife interpret and communicate with the world around them, while also reflecting identity, belief and tradition.

Visitors will encounter works by renowned artists including Hokusai, Wassily Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol, alongside decorative ceramics, textiles and natural history specimens such as bird plumage and iridescent insects.

The exhibition is organised around four themes:

• What is Colour? — exploring the science of perception, differences between human and animal vision, and how colour changes over time

• How is Colour Made? — examining pigments and dyes derived from plants, insects, minerals and chemicals

• Is Colour Useful? — highlighting colour’s role in communication and camouflage in both human and natural worlds

• What Does Colour Mean? — investigating cultural symbolism, identity and belief systems connected to colour

Displays will include prehistoric gold jewellery demonstrating the historic value of colour, a diamante-studded Trinidadian carnival costume and a Victorian mourning dress showing how colour conveys cultural meaning through clothing.

Family-friendly activities will feature optical illusions, dressing-up opportunities and interactive games.

The exhibition has been developed with the support of Cultural Advisors and created for the Museums and Galleries Network for Exhibition Touring (MAGNET), with support from Art Fund and public funding from the Arts Council England through the National Lottery.

It has been curated by RAMM in partnership with Sheffield Museums, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Gosport Museum & Art Gallery, and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

Exeter City Council’s lead councillor for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Bob Foales, said:

“Colour is such a fundamental part of our lives and the world around us, it's sometimes easy to overlook how remarkable it really is. This exhibition, showcasing objects from museums around the UK, will shine a spotlight on colour and how we perceive, make, use, and attach meaning to it.”

Exhibition dates and tickets

Colour runs at RAMM from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 6 September 2026.

Ticket prices are:

• Standard ticket: £6

• NUS cardholders and MA Members: £4

• Art Fund members: £3

• Under-19s and carers: free

The exhibition has previously toured the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield, Tullie House in Carlisle and Gosport Museum & Art Gallery, and will continue to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from 26 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.

The exhibition has been made possible through Government Indemnity support arranged by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and Arts Council England.