The Dress of Great Expectations

Date: 7th February – 15th March
Time: Open Daily 10.00-17.00
Location: Portsmouth National History Museum
Cost: Free

Opening on Charles Dickens’ birthday, 7 February, an interactive project by local artist Roo Abrook invites visitors into the beautiful Portsmouth Natural History Museum, nestled beside Canoe Lake.

The exhibition examines Miss Havisham from Dickens’ Great Expectations, a woman jilted at the altar and trapped in the emotional fallout of rejection. At its heart, the project explores rejection and resilience.

Working with local poet, Han Newton from Pompey Poetry Party we have collaborated with local community female support groups (Project W and St James’s Society) who are being supported in substance recovery and some homelessness. Their voices have been recorded into painted card butterflies where visitors can open the butterflies and hear these voices and stories firsthand.

The installation features Miss Havisham’s wedding dress, re-worked using pages from vintage editions of Great Expectations, alongside gloves, slippers, and other accessories. Her wedding bouquet and flowers have been created by Sally Biloshiskaya of Petal and Pchelka.

An additional interactive installation by Thomas Buckley and Play Office invites the public to share words reflecting on rejection and resilience.

Local emerging artist Emelie-Jane Martin-Rivers has created her own response to the project.

The project is part of ‘In Our Words’ literacy and literature programming by Portsmouth Creates and has been awarded funding by Arts Council England.

No booking required.