Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful session by Matthew Wilson in The Arts Society at Firstsite (TASAF) Lecture series!

The Arts Society at Firstsite is an organisation about connecting people who have a passion for art.

TASAF is part of a global network of local societies, which bring people together through shared curiosity for the arts. You can learn more about it here. 

We offer a series of 10 talks* from accredited lecturers based around the UK. Lectures take place throughout the year from September to June on the third Tuesday of each month. 

Find out more about TASAF here.

Session Program 

A History of World Art in 5 Symbols (Lecture by Matthew Wilson)

Art sometimes speaks in a complex language of symbols where plants, animals and objects convey specific meanings.

How are they created, why do they evolved and what do they tell us about the cultures they come from?

By examining the backstories of five key symbols this lecture will provide a unique perspective on global history.

It will show how mighty empires and global religions have made certain motifs ubiquitous even in the modern world, appearing as they do in advertising, corporate branding and public monuments as well as the world’s most famous artworks. 

About the Lecturer

Secret symbols, Nazi-fighting, cultural love affairs, the ‘nude’, snowmen, and artistic espionage are among the diverse interests of art historian Matthew Wilson.

Matthew studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute and is an author, lecturer, and educator.

As a freelance journalist he writes for numerous publications including BBC Culture, The Spectator, The Economist and Aesthetica Magazine. He has written two books on symbolism – ‘Symbols in Art’ (Thames & Hudson, 2020) and ‘The Hidden Language of Symbols’ (Thames & Hudson 2022), and an introductory guide to art history, ‘Art Unpacked’ –  (Thames & Hudson 2023).

Visit the Firstsite Cafe before or after TASAF Lecture Series session! 

Our cafés offer a wide selection of delicious snacks, cakes and light meals, along with hot and cold drinks which can be purchased to enjoy.

Find out more about our menus here 

*This price is the set fee paid by all members irrespective of the date they join the society.