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The Beauty of Seaweed

By Bernie Bell

The Stromness Museum winter exhibition is entitled ‘Seaweed Secrets’ and includes some of the newly-conserved seaweed collection which are displayed in the cases to your left as you walk through into the main section of the Museum building

Also, Sheila Fleet Jewellery  presents her new collection inspired by a Museum seaweed specimen, beginning with a dazzling display of jewellery in the case by the reception desk and shop

continuing with details of her work process in the display cases

and a stunning necklace

The display cases also feature ‘Algal Art’  by artists who are making seaweed-related work

We’d seen Dawn Stevens’ work previously in an exhibition in Northlight Gallery, Stromness…

http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16451

And Ami Robb’s work in an exhibition in Ship O’ Fools, Kirkwall…..

http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=17010

The title of Jenny Pope’s pieces –  ‘Buoyancy in Uncertain Times’ – speaks for itself!

A particular favourite of mine is ‘Seaweed, Crab and Shell’ by Megumi  Barrington-Uenoyama

The accompanying description tells how…. ‘The crabs Megumi has drawn are based on her treasured Japanese crab ornament.’

And we have our own Crab, known as Cracker

And Carved Stone Balls….

When looking at the pics. from last time we visited the Stromness Museum….

http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16979

……I noticed what I thought might be a Neolithic carved stone ball but, being excited about other pieces in that display case, I hadn’t looked for a label.

After viewing the ‘Seaweed Secrets’ exhibition,  I went upstairs to the Natural History Section and, sure enough, the label for the object is ‘Sculpted Stone Ball’

It looks akin to how the EOASSK looked when it was first discovered…..

hat might it look like if it underwent modern conservation methods, as the EOASSK did?

I’m not aware of this particular Stone Ball getting much attention, so thought I’d mention it as it might be of interest to fellow admirers of Carved Stone Balls…..

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