Seaweed Secrets: From museum collections to Art inspiration
Seaweed is the star of the show in our winter exhibition this year. Seaweed Secrets: From museum collections to Art inspiration is a showcase of the museum’s much-loved seaweed collection, alongside some of the art and innovative products inspired by seaweed.
Originating from at least 8 individual collectors, some of which are almost 200 years old, the museum’s seaweed specimens have recently been re-mounted and conserved with a grant from the Association of Independent Museums and the Pilgrim Trust. The work was carried out by local artefact conservator Hana Bristow.
Researchers and artists make regular requests to see the collection and some of the artist and makers feature their work in the exhibition. Most notably renowned jewellery designer Sheila Fleet, who is launching a brand-new range of jewellery inspired by a particular seaweed specimen in the collection.
The exhibition also features work from the recent Orkney Japan Association exhibition ‘Mother of the Sea’, which presented new artworks by many female artists, created on a seaweed theme. Jenny Pope, Edinburgh artist also platforms her work looking at buoyancy in uncertain times, and tells us about the impact the museum collection has had on her art.
