Published on Wednesday 23 October 2024
Poole’s rich maritime heritage will be celebrated through a striking new art installation set to span three floors of Poole Museum when it reopens next summer.
The suspended contemporary artwork, named Abeona after the Roman Goddess of Outward Journeys, also pays tribute to a merchant ship that set sail from Poole to Newfoundland centuries ago.
Renowned art collective INSTAR, formed by Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys, has been selected to create the installation at the museum.
The sculpture draws inspiration from a walrus tusk scrimshaw found in the museum’s collections – an intricate art form traditionally practiced by sailors on bone or ivory during long sea voyages.
INSTAR will reimagine this heritage craft through a modern, interactive lens, blending Poole’s maritime history with elements of coastal wildlife and community stories. The sculpture will include carved marine life, contemporary stories, and illuminated lighting, bringing Poole’s past to life in a way that will engage visitors of all ages.
Poole Museum, which is owned and operated by Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council, is currently undergoing a £10.3 million redevelopment. Both the redevelopment and the Abeona art installation are supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications, and Culture, BCP Council said:
“By highlighting Poole’s unique maritime legacy, coastal wildlife, and local stories, this sculpture will not only serve as a focal point for the museum but also as a lasting symbol of the town’s historical and cultural journey.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing it take pride of place in Poole Museum when it reopens next year.”
INSTAR, who have previously collaborated with Arts Council England and The National Trust, will be engaging the local community and schools through creative workshops over the coming months, to help inform and inspire elements of the sculpture’s design. This collaboration will ensure that Abeona reflects the voices and stories of Poole’s people.
Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys from INSTAR said:
“We’re thrilled to have been awarded this commission for Poole Museum. Abeona is more than just a sculpture – it’s a celebration of Poole’s incredible maritime history and vibrant community. By blending traditional scrimshaw techniques with modern storytelling, we hope to create a piece that resonates deeply with residents and visitors alike.
“Working with the community is at the heart of this project, and we can’t wait to see how local ideas and creativity shape the final artwork.”
A shared showcase of print works created by participants during the community workshops will be part of the opening celebrations when the newly redeveloped Poole Museum opens its doors next year.
More information about the sculpture and the creative workshops can be found by visiting Poole Museum Ink Print Repeat — INSTAR (we-are-instar.co.uk)
Notes to Editors
Image:
- The space in Poole Museum where the art installation is going to span three floors.
If any local community groups or local schools are interested in taking part in the creative workshops, please email info@we-are-instar.co.uk
Poole Museum
The museum is located in the heart of Poole’s Old Town and Quay. The Museum comprises the Grade II listed Oakley’s Mill a Victorian grain mill and warehouse, the Grade I listed medieval Wool Hall, Grade I listed Scaplen’s Court and gardens, and Sir Anthony Caro’s impressive quayside Sea Music sculpture.
Collection highlights include a unique Iron Age log boat, internationally significant artefacts from 16th and 17th century shipwrecks, the world’s finest public collection of Poole Pottery and a fine art collection of local artists including Augustus John and Henry Lamb.
The redevelopment of Poole Museum is majority funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with other funding coming from Arts Council England, Historic England High Street Heritage Action Zone and BCP Council, UK Government Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, The Fine Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, Talbot Village Trust, The Headley Trust, The Steel Charitable Trust, Pilgrim Trust, Poole Museum Foundation, The Valentine Charitable Trust, Alice Ellen Cooper-Dean Charitable Foundation, Wessex Museums, Poole BID, and Poole Arts Society.
Poole Museum is one of the most popular free museums in the South of England.
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Find out more about Poole Museum here.
INSTAR
INSTAR was founded in 2012 by Trish Evans and Nick Humphries. Their practice weaves the beauty and intricacies of the natural world into multi-disciplinary, site-specific artworks. Producing contemporary public art, illustration, print, literature, and contemporary curation, their artworks explore the profound connection between art and nature, spanning oceans, uplands, urban streets, and rural habitats. As life-long naturalists, as well as professional artists, they have collaborated with multiple landscape-scale commissioners including The National Trust, National Landscapes, National Forest, Nottingham Natural History Museum, and The Wildlife Trusts across the UK.
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The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in their strategic plan, Heritage 2033 here.
Over the next ten years, they aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
They help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
They are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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