Curators' Corner
What stories do our cherished items tell?
The reasons people collect are unique to each individual. The souvenirs seen so far in this exhibition represent what previous donors have given to the university after travelling. Here, we – the student curators – showcase some of our own souvenirs. Curating this exhibition led us to consider the deeper meaning behind objects we have previously collected.
Student curators from left to right: Grace McAdam, Lauren Arcangeli, Charlotte Pierce, Caeley Currie, Mary Simmons, Sara Pope.
Charlotte’s Feather Pen
Of the souvenirs and mementos that I’ve collected through my travels and moves abroad over the last two decades, one item is particularly special to me. This peacock feather pen from The Potteries Museum in Stoke-on-Trent, England was gifted to me by my partner in the summer of 2022 on my first visit to their hometown. It then travelled over 5,000 miles with me when I returned to my home in the United States. Now the pen is once again in the UK and has been at my desk whilst I have worked on this exhibition.
Mary’s Jackdaw Print
A significant souvenir for me is this Jemima Blackburn print from 1895. Jemima was a 19th century Scottish illustrator who produced many illustrations of birds and life in the Scottish Highlands. I received this print as a surprise from my mom while we shopped in Inverness. This print will always stay with me as it represents the wonderful trip I shared with my mom and aunt, my time in Scotland, and my fascination with jackdaws.
Sara’s Torii Charm
This small version of a Shinto Torii gate was a gift from a friend who knew how special the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto was to me. It is meant to be placed somewhere on the shrine grounds with a wish written on the back. But my friend gave it to me so that I would always be able to carry that place which is precious to me wherever I go: my apartment in Japan just two cities away from the shrine or all the way here in Aberdeen.
Caeley’s Ivory Elephant
This souvenir turned family heirloom is one of the only remaining things from my great-great-grandfather Solomon Vail’s sailing adventures. Solomon’s friend was a wealthy man with a yacht and sailing crew, as well as substance abuse problems. When his friend was in a particularly rough patch, Solomon would accompany him sailing around the world to aid his recovery. They sailed so much that the pair crossed the Panama Canal an estimated 12 times! This tiny ivory elephant was purchased in Port Said, Egypt, when the pair sailed through the Suez Canal. Solomon’s wife Blanche wasn’t very pleased that he spent so much time away from his family to sail, so he would often come home with such souvenirs to make her happy.
Lauren’s Celtic Bracelet
Jewellery is one of my favourite types of souvenirs because it is both purposeful and sentimental. I bought this bracelet at a Christmas market being held at a castle in Scotland. The design is inspired by traditional Sami designs (from northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and western Russia) and Celtic braiding designs. It uses reindeer leather and buttons made from antlers, which reindeer naturally shed. It’s beautiful to wear and reminds me of my time abroad in Scotland.
Grace’s Cheese Slicer Pin
I picked up this metal pin of an Ostehøvel, or cheese slicer on one of the last days of a spring trip to Norway with friends. The household item was invented in Norway in 1925 and is a major export to homes around the globe. This novelty adornment is marketed to tourists in gift shops who may not know the item’s origin. It was only during the holiday that I was introduced to the cheese slicer, and in one swoop my life was changed. I felt it fitting, then, to pick up this novelty adornment for my denim jacket from the gift shop of the Norsk Folkemuseum as a reminder of a great week.