Six Objects in Search of an Artist

A new exhibition will shed light on some of Warrington Museum’s hidden gems while celebrating the talents of a north west artist.

Michelle Leigh was invited to explore the Museum’s many artefacts from all over the world as part of a project to reinterpret them through a series of paintings in her distinct style.

Launching on Saturday, 15 August, and with the aim to bring often overlooked items into renewed focus, the exhibition is called Six Objects in Search of an Artist.

The artefacts Michelle found inspiration from included 19th century anatomical plant models made in Germany, taxidermied birds such as the ibis, a model of a tuna fish made out of recycled beer cans by contemporary artist Val Hunt, dresses designed by Warrington-born legendary 1960s fashion designer Ossie Clark, a fragment of Egyptian coffin wood and a snake skeleton in a Victorian glass jar.

During her research at Warrington Museum, Michelle became increasingly aware of how lighting can play a factor in how visitors engage with the collections.

Low light is often necessary to preserve delicate historical artefacts, but she felt some seemed to be ‘crying out to be acknowledged more’.

While the 'eureka' moment for the show’s name came from a twist on the title of a 1921 absurdist play by Luigi Pirandello, Six Characters in Search of an Author.