Design for museum's walrus tusk sculpture revealed

Stephen Stafford - BBC News
·2 min read
An artist's impression of the tusk-shaped sculpture spanning three floors with graphics of people in place to show scale.
The sculpture will span three floors of the revamped Poole Museum [Instar]

The initial design for a new sculpture, inspired by an engraved walrus tusk, has been revealed as the centrepiece to a redeveloped museum.

Entitled Abeona, the suspended artwork will span three floors inside of Poole Museum which is undergoing a £10.3m revamp.

The sculpture is set to reflect the area's seafaring heritage with carvings of marine life and contemporary stories.

BCP Council's portfolio holder for culture, Andy Martin, said it would represent the town's "historical and cultural journey".

A view of Poole Museum with redevelopment work going on - the building has thick oak beams and the three floors are empty with building materials and cables scattered around.
The artwork will be suspended in the centre of the museum which is due to reopen in summer 2025 [Poole Museum]

The sculpture is based on a walrus tusk scrimshaw held in the museum’s collections – an intricate art form traditionally practiced by sailors on bone or ivory during long sea voyages.

Abeona is named after the Roman Goddess of Outward Journeys and also pays tribute to a merchant ship that set sail from Poole to Newfoundland centuries ago.

Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys from arts group Instar who were commissioned to produce the work, said it was "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."

The group plans to hold sessions with community and school groups to work on elements of the sculpture’s design.

Mr Martin 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.

The museum, located in the Grade I listed medieval Wool Hall in Poole’s Old Town, has been closed for redevelopment since 2022.

Its collection includes an Iron Age log boat, artefacts from 16th and 17th Century shipwrecks, a large collection of Poole Pottery, and works by local artists including Augustus John and Henry Lamb.

New ventilation equipment has been installed and the floor has been moved to its original level to restore the proportions of the building, which will house the new shipwreck gallery, including the log boat.

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