The army of more than 8000 life-sized and unique warriors was created to guard the city-sized underground tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shihuang, in 210-209 BCE. However, since their discovery, these fascinating objects have also had a part to play in the making of modern China.

As part of the University of Melbourne’s Learning Partnership with the NGV exhibition Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality, the Faculty of Arts is delighted to present a Melbourne Masterclass exploring the ways in which these incredible artefacts embody a sense of place, culture and history.

This Masterclass offers attendees:

• the chance to understand the Terracotta Warriors in their original historical context, as well as the modern political and cultural settings which have seen them transformed into ambassadors of Chinese culture;
• insights into the process of excavating, conserving and displaying some of China’s most precious relics;
• and an opportunity to spend time exploring the exhibition and its companion exhibition Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape after-hours with a fraction of the usual crowds.

Speakers include: Exhibition Curator Wayne Crothers; Faculty of Arts China experts Dr Lewis Mayo and Professor Tonia Eckfeld; and NGV Head of Conservation, Michael Varcoe-Cox.