Museum Inspired Collection
One of my all time favourite places is the Ulster Museum, situated in the lush Botanic Gardens in Stranmillis just off the Malone Road Belfast. A two minute drive from my family home, it’s a place I am very fond of as we used to go there every Sunday afternoon from as young as I can remember. Then in later years, as part of my work placement at University back in 2005, I shadowed Kim Mawhinney (then head of Applied Art now Head of Art across all the National Museums in Northern Ireland), assisting with cataloguing the ceramics collection (my speciality area) and getting to spend time in all departments, exploring behind the scenes. I could not believe just how vast the collections were and how only a small amount was ever able to be on display. I was inspired to create a collection of little trinkets based on some of my favourite things housed in the museum . . .
‘Peter the Polar Bear’ - I am sure every child who sets eyes on him is mesmerised, it’s a true family favourite. He is a vintage stuffed specimen originally from Belfast Zoo. (vintage polar bear image credit: with thanks to NMNI)
‘Takabuti’ - One of the museum’s most fascinating pieces, I think I shall do another version incorporating the glorious netted wrap turquoise beads that make it so unique to her. Coincidently the museum’s website homepage featured a picture of myself looking onto Takabuti in her new glass case for a couple of years, I was more than thrilled
Edmontosaurus - I remember following the big dinosaur footprints stuck onto the black ribbed rubber flooring of the museum (before it was revamped) in the 80s to get to the high room full of everything prehistoric. This fella is really special as it is the only real, near complete, dinosaur skeleton on display anywhere in the island of Ireland, mind you it is made up of the bones of more than one.
Butterfly - There is a stunning display of exquisitely coloured pretty ‘snow butterflies’ or ‘Parnassius’ found in the ‘Window to the World’ display. It may look like a lot but it’s only a minute portion of the museum’s 2500 specimens, one of the largest collections of them in the world! It made beautiful backdrop to the multitude of garments on the catwalk when we used to hold Belfast’s annual Fashion here in the main foyer over the years when I enjoyed being stage host/presenter.
Gemstone - the museum has a glittering collection of precious and semi-precious natural stones, I loved looking at the displays when I was a kid and then heading to the gift shop to buy a smooth pebble size of rose quartz, tiger’s eye or amethyst and feeling wonderful! My elder sister had the very first wedding held at the Ulster Museum as a venue, and I think these gorgeous little gems would be fabulous as wedding favours or thank-yous.
Armada Salamander - At first glance it seems a strange artefact as these creatures are not indigenous to our region. It’s one of the museum’s smallest yet most priceless pieces - a precious piece of treasure found in the Girona, a Spanish Armada shipwreck resting off the North Coast of Ireland (near the Giant’s Causeway), an amulet or piece of jewellery of solid gold and opulent rubies. It really is fascinating. I’ve tried to find fun faux jewels that match the shape as best I can.
Gold Lunula - A glorious crescent-shaped Bronze Age ornament worn as a necklace. There is a spectacular display of these in the Archaeology Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Similar to this is a torc found at the Ulster Museum, of twisted form translating in Latin as ’to twist’.
Celtic Bosses - I created a set of these inspired by ancient Irish stone carvings, illuminated manuscripts, and Celtic interlace knots, simplifying the motifs.
High Cross - ‘High Cross’ or ‘Celtic Cross’ of heavy pieces of carved stone. A replica can be found in the ‘Window to the World’ display. Thought to combine both pagan and Christian worlds. My example is decorated with intricate knotted lacework.
Irish Elk - The museum has a very cool set of antlers (once found in my friend’s father’s farming field and donated many years ago), this particular decoration design of mine is an exclusive commission for late Autumn and no longer available.
Cottage - A vernacular building inspired by the traditional thatched roof dwellings found at both the Ulster Folk Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park.
