The UCL Institute of Archaeology’s new student exhibition

Colour communicates our sense of self, our values, and our place in society. The exhibition will explore how we have transformed natural materials and chemical compounds into the colours that we use to express ourselves.

• What role does poo play in 16th century makeup?
• What colours come from snail slime?
• How is antiseptic being used in political protest?
• What connects bugs, tartans, and Māori tattoos?

The answers to these questions can all be found in this exhibition. Across the four themes of ‘Politics and Protest’, ‘Community and Connection’, ‘Gender and Expression’ and ‘Class and Status’, visitors will be able to explore how colours are used to express identity. Look out for a pink pussyhat, a blue faience shabti, tyrian purple ink, and more! Or pick up an iPad in the gallery to play a game to find how colours are chemically produced and used around the world.