22 May – 31 August 2010
The late 18th Century Seaton Tool Chest – once owned by Benjamin Seaton of Chatham and now displayed at the museum – has been used as a source of inspiration for the contemporary Tool Shed gallery installation and associated workshop activities.
The Guildhall Museum is one of the busiest local authority administered museums in Kent. It is currently undergoing a two-year programme of exciting and extensive changes, as part of the Opening the Doors to Access and Learning Project.
Its diverse collections feature the social and local history of the Medway towns; the life and times of Charels Dickens; and the history of the Napoleonic prisoner of war and convict hulks, formally moored on the River Medway.
The museumaker commission takes as its inspiration one of the museum’s star objects: the late 18th century Seaton Tool Chest. This chest was once owned by Benjamin Seaton of Chatham, and houses a complete set of furniture making tools – many of them unused and in their original wrappings. The tools have excited international interest, and been the subject of considerable research. Cathy Miles has taken the opportunity to work on a much bigger scale than previously and to make her first installation piece. Her work focuses on tools in the widest sense – including gardening, cooking and woodworking tools alongside her signature “useless tools”. The commission is housed in an architect-designed “toolshed” which has been installed in the museum’s special exhibition room, along side a special re-display of the Seaton Tool Chest and tools members of the public have brought in.
Take part: community participation lies at the heart of this commission. Cathy Miles is working closely with the museum to engage with a broad spread of indiviudals and organisations across Medway. She is leading intensive 2 hour sessions, enabling stories to be shared and new wire tools to be made. The results of this activity will be on show in the Toolshed.
the museum for visitor information and opening times.
Visit the museum
The Guildhall Museum, Rochester
High Street
Rochester
Kent ME1 1PY
Meet the maker
Cathy Miles
Cathy Miles is a metalsmith who uses a unique concoction of wire, found materials and text in her work. She ...
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