Making Egypt

London’s Young V&A presents Making Egypt, an immersive exhibition opening on February 15th, 2025, that explores ancient Egyptian creativity and its enduring impact on contemporary culture. Featuring over 200 objects from the V&A archives—some dating back 5,500 years—the exhibition presents a compelling dialogue between past and present.

Divided into three thematic sections—Storytelling, Communicating, and Making—Making Egypt takes visitors on a journey along the Nile, exploring the myths, craftsmanship, and visual language that defined one of history’s most enduring civilizations. Among the highlights is the exquisitely painted inner coffin of Princess Sopdet-em-haawt, displayed alongside decorative funerary masks and linen shrouds, many shown to the public for the first time.

The exhibition also examines how Egyptian aesthetics continue to shape pop culture, from graphic novels to digital media. Visitors will discover how the design principles of ancient Egypt have influenced Minecraft and Moon Knight, bridging millennia of artistic innovation. Hands-on activities allow young audiences to decipher hieroglyphics, experiment with color symbolism, and design their own amulets.

Curator Benjamin Hinson describes the exhibition as a rare opportunity to experience ancient Egypt’s creative legacy through a modern lens: “Egypt has influenced art, design, and performance for centuries, and remains just as compelling today.”

Dr. Helen Charman, Director of Learning at Young V&A, adds: “We hope Making Egypt will ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of creators by exploring the ingenuity of an ancient civilization.”