Excav8: Digging into History, Technology and Imagination
This summer, our Excav8 project came to a close with a vibrant exhibition showcasing the creativity, curiosity and hard work of a group of local young artists. The Excav8 Group – a community of home-educated young people – spent weeks exploring how history, technology, and creativity intersect, with artist Laura Trevail leading the project and support from Jay Durkin.
Together, they went on a journey through museums, archives, and even the stars…
At The Princely Burial, they discovered how ancient objects can reveal the lives of the people who once owned them.
In Nubia, they learned about international cooperation to save the temple of Abu Simbel from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam – and even met Reg, an explosives expert who worked on that project.
Through Drag, they explored costume, identity, and self-expression, learning that it’s just as important to care for the present as it is to protect the past.
At The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage, they discovered the science and skill behind preserving fragile artefacts and curating powerful exhibitions.
At the Beecroft Gallery, they climbed the Geological Time staircase and imagined the future Collections Centre, while sharing their own personal collections. Curators and Conservators offered behind-the-scenes insights, from exhibition design to pest control, helping the group understand how precious collections are kept safe.
“On the project my daughter felt accepted and able to be herself.”
Technology became a creative tool too: learning to build with BBC micro:bit and Raspberry Pi, and experimenting with recycled protective materials – from tech packaging to museum-grade conservation supplies – to create their own innovative ways to care for objects.
The project ended with an exhibition that reflected all these discoveries: blending history, science, art, and imagination, while giving space to the voices of young people.
“I enjoyed seeing the artwork in the exhibition because I saw all our work put together and it looked epic!”
Participant
Excav8 was made possible with the support of Southend Museums and their wonderful staff, and funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Photos: Film Free Photography
