Southbank Bristol Arts

This year I am opening my front room up to the public as a museum of curiosities and improbabilities - 15 Vicarage Road, Southville BS3.

As most of you know, I have been trying to market my Anne Bonny model show. In short, this is a model scenery of castle and coastline, model ships and figures and soldiers, where the characters are moved to a narrated soundtrack with music and sound effects. This show will be the centre piece of the exhibition although I will not be doing performances with it - it is just for viewing as a scene. However, since then, I have gone on to create all sorts of other scenes and strange images, which will also be on display. Many of these are in boxes of all sizes. The idea is that you can investigate the contents of the boxes and wonder at the meaning! Some of the artefacts have a particular story that they are depicting, while others are more random but hopefully, intriguing.

All these curious objects have been made with materials from boot fairs, and hopefully reflect that. I think people are naturally curious and if they see a box, they want to open it and see what is inside. I also think children like to suspend belief of the outside world and immerse themselves in the detail of the scenario in front of them, hence the fascination with Sylvanians, doll houses, war gaming and such like where the details are all important.

You can see for example; a miniature polar bear band, excerpts from the battle of Waterloo, a dragon attacking a castle, together with some strange figures and puppets, and the contents of Captain Barnacle’s treasure chest.

As the host, Sergeant Major Harvey-Wallbanger, I shall be on hand to explain the significance of the objects and scenes. Unfortunately, I will not be there much during the day on Saturday as I am off to do a children's party, but I will be around all day on the Sunday. It is a performance experience as well as an exhibition. Children are welcome. All the proceeds made from the day are going towards the charity Penny Brohn Cancer Care. To this end there will also be tea, cakes and jewellery available to buy together with some of the artefacts, or if you are entertained and enjoy your visit to my museum, you might consider putting some money in the collection box.

I hope you can find time over the weekend to visit the museum and see what direction my artistic endeavours have been taking.

Joy and peace to you.

Chris Brown