Armed with my sketchbook and camera, I spent a happy afternoon at the Natural History Museum today. And so I started work for 'StoryLines', my solo exhibition of a new body of work in May next year at the Devon Guild.
I am so excited about the project! StoryLines would be an exploration of my family history through stitch. Both my parents are Entomologists. I want to explore all the things I grew up around- microscopes, research journals, insect specimens and my mother's beautiful hand-drawn scientific diagrams. And her saris, memories, home....
I went to the museum to research insects. I was hoping to find lots of insect specimens displayed in boxes, arranged neatly in ancient wooden chest of drawers, like the ones in my mum's lab. I was a bit disappointed that I didnt find as many specimens as I had hoped for, apparently there are millions in the museum, but unfortunately not on public display. However, I was delighted to discover the 'Cocoon'. It is fanatstic! 7 stories high, it is the all singing all dancing addition to the museum. Slick, high tech and fun.
More on Storylines as the work grows.
Happy skaters at the ice rink
I loved the signage. Please note the two little birdies singing :D
Where was everybody?! I had to remind myself why I was there and not stay and play.
The beautiful ceiling in the entrace hall
How I love insect boxes!
The Cocoon
lots of drawers
and jars
bottles with neat labels
Interactive display drawers, where the displayed insects playfully move around
Visuals are projected on to the cocoon walls
I really enjoyed finding about Sir Hans Sloane's collections and stared longingly at his beautiful leather bound herbarium files.
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