…and it is in Wantage Museum, in a delightful little room – not too large and scary. I could not have wished for a nicer looking room. And at the entrance, on the floor, the title. My pebbles have certainly come in useful!
I have all 14 Rope of Words illustrations and my new 7 Dance illustrations. And we had a fireplace to use. I spent a long time thinking of how to use it, but then once I thought of using the pebbles to spell out Rope of Words, I remembered the last of the little pebble paintings.
The narrow paintings of the nude dancers needed a focal point and I painted this one specially, combining their movements.
Each individual painting has its poem next to it, and my trusty legilium (lectern) is in the corner with a sample book to page through. I keep forgetting the word ‘legilium’ then have to look it up. It’s just a folding lectern. I first saw one at the tiny church on Lindisfarne island and thought it would be ideal to use to show book at exhibitions. It took me ages to find it because I did not know what it was called and kept looking for a ‘folding lectern’ Eventually I phoned a church-furnishing shop. This is about its 10th outing!
You just have to work on trust. I have notices saying “You are welcome to look at any of the books with clean hands. You may buy a book at reception”. This exhibition is not invigilated but they have not had a problem with theft (or shoplifting in their shop!).
Whenever I do a display I think of props and how to achieve height or interest. If you do a food buffet, you can put a small bench or even bricks on the table, cover it with a table cloth and put flowers on top of that. Or you can use those tiered plates. Anything to break the two-dimentionality. This arrangement of ABC Uncials with equipment on the top shelf took up the lower third and it needed something to make it more comfortable in its’ space. The next day I brought in some honesty in a little vase. I really don’t think people even register it, but it looks right.
I must confess to feeling a little anxious about my Colours of the Kalahari book being on display, but am willing to take the chance. The metal stand gave this corner some substance.
Dave very graciously agreed to bringing some furniture along as well! This narrow bookcase usually lives in the corner of our bedroom, but it made a really pretty corner and could show off the two main books that are for sale (with some swan feathers for good measure!)
I wanted people to be able to linger in this pretty room, so there is lots to read – all the poetry, and extracts for Rope of Words beneath each artwork . Because this is a books-only-show (except for the pebbles that sneaked in) the child-artist books are here too, as well as ABC Uncials. I used the lock-up cabinet to put things in that could interest children. There are mice reading doll’s house books at the table, while the cat is licking their scones.
Hattie lent me the Princess and the Pea, book in a bed. You may be forgiven for thinking that some people (like me) never grow up. My excuse is my graddaughters, and I’m sticking to it!
