The Clyde Museum, looking smart in its new refurbishment, has a unique exhibition currently showing.
Artists from Central Otago were asked to present a piece of work that is informed by the museum.
It could be an object, a story or simply the concept of collections in general.
Responses were varied and intriguing.
Marion Vialande-Worch was inspired by a visit to the museum with her two sons.
They admired the classic lines of the toy cars, and found it very funny that the former owner of the collection still visited the museum to play with the cars.
Being French, Marion settled on making a 2CV Citroen out of recycled cardboard.
She says, “My model is not perfect, but it is made from a bunch of childhood memories and a French touch.”
Judy Cockeram made a ‘magpie collection’ from the small found objects she finds on her daily walks with her dog.
Rachel Hirabayashi painted an underwater scene which plays with objects of a museum floating down the Clutha – ‘a memory of a river turned into a lake’.
Megan Huffadine took the concept of Wunderkammer (Cabinets of Wonder), which have long been part of her art.
Then there were the wonderful photographs of AnneMarie Hope-Cross and Eric Schusser, a story by Roger Browne, a poem by Libby Paulin and lots more.
I was particularly taken with a work by Jennifer Hay.
It was a necklace entitled Grace, handmade in enamelled copper wire, using antique metal micro beads, gemstones and pearls.
Jennifer says, “It was inspired by the point lace and crochet samples of Mrs William Naylor (Grace Irene nee Taylor) in the 1930s.
Mrs William Naylor was a needlewoman of great dexterity and I like to think that she had style!”
The exhibition will run from 1 March until the end of April. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 1pm-4pm.
