Senior conservator Amy Bartlett with some of the materials that can be donated. Picture: Paul Scambler
Kasey Wilkins, Tasmania’s ‘domestic goddess’ Marjorie Bligh honoured at QVMAG, The Examiner, 27 April 2018
Tasmania’s “domestic goddess” Marjorie Bligh will be honoured with an exhibition and installation at Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.
Donations of clean plastic bags, washed stockings, and yarn are being sought by the museum in preparation for getting its Yarn Bombing for Marjorie Project off the ground.
Bligh was well-known throughout the state for her writing on household management, crafts, gardening, and cooking.
Senior conservator Amy Bartlett said the project was different to anything the museum had done before.
“We’ve never gotten the community involved to this scale,” she said.
Ms Bartlett said the donated material would be used for crocheted and knitted creations which would cover the yellow poles at the entrance to the museum.
The project would be installed in March 2019.
“There are quite a few benefits aside from gorgeous poles honouring Marjorie at the end,” Ms Bartlett said.
“It’s going to cross over a few different generations.”
Ms Bartlett said though many younger people weren’t aware of Bligh’s impact, the resurgence in older crafts meant that knitting and crocheting were “popular again”.
“It will probably evoke memories for some people who grew up knowing her,” she said.
Alongside the installation, a large collection of Bligh’s work will be showcased in an exhibition opening in her honour, titled Domestic Goddess: the life and work of Marjorie Bligh.
The exhibition will open in April 2019.
City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten encouraged the community to get involved with the installation.
“Marjorie Bligh is such an iconic Tasmanian, and what better way to honour her memory than by coming together as a community and supporting her love of repurposing,” he said.
“Yarn, stocking and plastic bag donations are greatly appreciated and will be collected in a donation box in the museum foyer.”
Alongside donating, the museum is asking craft enthusiasts who wish to get involved in the project to register with Ms Bartlett at [email protected] by May 21.
Those registered will join community groups and textile artists in crocheting and knitting for the project.
For more information, visit www.qvmag.tas.gov.au.
