African Art in Derby

Like a number of regional museums and art galleries, those run by Derby City Council hold a sizeable collection of African art and artefacts that, sadly, rarely see the light of day.

These collections were often donated during the early 20th century by the families of nineteenth century collectors who had shuffled off this mortal coil. Often the collections came with little or no supporting information, and the quality varies according to the intentions of the individual collector - some collected out of a genuine appreciation or intellectual curiosity, others saw themselves as collecting oddities and novelties. 

The Figures of Africa exhibition at Derby`s Pickford`s House museum (Friar Gate, Derby - a short walk from the city centre, near to Friar Gate Arches) gives us a welcome opportunity to see a selection from that collection. 

I had seen most of the items in the current exhibition when they were displayed at the same venue on an earlier occasion, but I was happy to make their acquaintance once again. The items on show included Nomoli stone figures carved by the Sapi people of Sierra Leone, Mende masks (also from Sierra Leone) originally used by the Sande women`s association and some Akan brass weights from Ghana (stylistically similar to Ashanti gold weights). I was also very taken with a Nigerian Ekpo mask with antelope-style horns and a representation of a small bird between them.

My only criticism would be that Figures of Africa is such a small exhibition. I personally would be happy to visit Pickford`s House any day of the week, but for anyone specifically wanting to pursue an interest in African art, the small selection on display hardly merits a journey of any distance. 

All was not lost, however, and your intrepid art lover took himself to nearby Derby Museum and Art Gallery where the Visual Poetry of 1001 Objects includes a number of African items, in particular a wooden Benin figure, a wooden Kenyan Policeman figure and an Ivory Coast bird mask.   

Additionally, there is also a small Ancient Egyptian section to the museum.

Here again though only a small proportion of the objects on display are of African origin.

For me, that doesn`t matter much. I had other reasons to be in  Derby and was basically combining business with pleasure. Additionally, there were other items of interest to me at both museums.

I can`t help wondering whether an opportunity is being missed here. Surely it wouldn`t be beyond the wit of man to exhibit a larger proportion of the 500 or so African items held at Derby ? I recall some years ago when the work of Sokari Douglas Camp was being exhibited at Nottingham Castle she also curated a small display from the Castle`s rarely-seen stock of African items that was well worth a look. I would have though something similar could be done in Derby.

Let`s hope something is done soon, as on this showing the selection held at Derby could be pretty remarkable.

Figures of Africa - at Pickford`s House until 30 Sept 2012

`1001 Objects` - at Derby City Museum and Art Gallery until January 2014

Further info at www.derby.gov.uk/museums

Ramblin` Kate

I gather that Kate Ashbrook has become the new President of the Ramblers (www.ramblers.org.uk), with outgoing President Julia Bradbury taking up a new position as Vice President.

Kate is a nationally known campaigner for countryside access and related issues, associated with both the Ramblers and the Open Spaces Society.

The Ramblers has been going through a troubled patch in recent years as this blog has commented. That is hopefully history now, particularly since the departure of  Chief Exec Tom Franklin, who stood down late last year.

The appointment of Ms Ashbrook is likely to be popular with members. More than three quarters of paid-up Ramblers members are not connected with their local group, presumably implying that they join to support the campaigning side of the organisation.

The coming year is likely to be challenging for the organisation nationally in many ways, particularly on the campaigning side.

There are also less well-known internal issues that need to be addressed. Some local  groups are highly organised and take sensible measures to make themselves accessible, i.e. by making sensible arrangements for walkers to meet up and share transport, others appear to give little thought to either attracting or keeping new members.

It`s generally felt that Kate Ashbrook is unlikely to treat her Presidency as a purely honorary thing, so this is a good moment for me to plug her blog. Visit Kate at ;

http://campaignerkate.wordpress.com .



  

   

Crime Writer`s Conference Continues to be Convivial

If, like me, you have a fondness for murders, mysteries and other renegade activities (within the pages of a book, of course !), you may wish to know that the Crime Writer`s Association held it`s annual conference recently.

For an interesting account of the event, see Martin Edwards -  The Southampton Conference - Wed, 2 May 2012 at http://www.doyouwriteunderyourownname.blogspot.com .

Founded by John Creasey in 1953, the Assoc can be found at www.thecwa.co.uk .

Return of the Equine Quadrupeds

This blog first encountered Roy Peckham, proprietor of the Fforest Uchaff Horse and Pony Centre and Pit Pony Sanctuary, a couple of years ago (see `Mr Peckham`s Pit Pony Petition`, this blog, 15 Jan 2010).

We`re pleased to hear that Peckham perseveres with his pit ponies and other needy horses.

During June of this year, his micro-charity (number 1002933) will be participating in the Foundation for Social Improvement`s `Small Charity Week` (see www.thefsi.org).

As part of that event, they will be holding a fundraising event at St David`s Centre in Cardiff (probably Tues 12 June) and are also looking for items with a `celebrity` provenance to sell for fundraising purposes as part of an E-Bay/FSI Small Charities Week sale 11 - 15 June 2012.

If you can help, I`m sure they would glad to hear from you - contact them via their website at www.pitponies.co.uk .

Speaking personally I`ve always been fond of our four footed friends and am very glad to give this interesting charity a bit of a plug.

This is Iggy, one of a number of ponies to benefit from the sanctuary. To learn more about Iggy and a number of other ponies at the centre, click on http://pitponies.co.uk/ponies.aspx .

All the Way From Memphis ?

On Sat 21 Apr the Erewash Museum marked it`s 30th birthday with a rock `n` roll party featuring live music by the Memphis Riders.

The band were a last minute replacement for Glenn Darren and the Krew Katz, who were unable to appear. In the interests of scientific research I`ve had a quick look on the web and there is live footage of Mr D and his KKz which is well worth a look, though for me I preferred the line-up with the double bass player than the one with the electric bass.

The Riders played three sets. The first was made up of largely `50s cover versions, though the handful of songs that I didn`t recognise could have been band originals for all I know. Their opening number was Boogie Woogie Country Girl, followed by Bony Moronie, He`ll Have to Go, No Heart to Spare and many others. The general feel was quite authentic, and they were at their best on No Heart... and He`ll Have.. .

This brings me to something I touched on earlier. In my view, their bassist is wise to opt for a double bass rather than a bass guitar. Of course, there are many great rock `n` roll records featuring the bass guitar, but the use of a stand-up bass does just give it that extra `50s feel.

The second set I missed.

The third set began with a Stonesy version of Burning Love followed by a touch of diversification as they explored the music of the `60s, with House of the Rising Sun, These Boots are Made for Walking, Do You Wanna Dance, It`s Only Make Believe and others.

The band were warmly received with much dancing in the Derbyshire rain and seemed to gel with young and old alike.

I like this band. They are authentic enough to appeal to the serious rock `n` rollers, accessible enough to reach out to a wider audience. They play with great feel, but they aren`t afraid to to do familiar songs in a slightly different way. 

A lot of people assume that straight-ahead rock `n` rollers aren`t necessarily such great musicians. I can`t really agree with that. It`s true that some people seem to have a natural aptiutude for rock `n` roll playing and it does come pretty readily to them. On the other hand there are plenty of people who fail to convince playing this sort of material, even if technically they may well be the better players. 

I`m not usually a great lover of bands who rely heavily (exclusively ?) on covers, but I`m prepared to make exceptions for bands as good as this  - even if their native Warsop is not very much like Memphis !

FOOTNOTE - The Memphis Riders have a CD out, Someone Else`s Girl, and the title track can be found on You Tube, posted by MrBlack1966. There is also some live footage of them on YT - a slightly different line-up, though (in my view) it`s not quite up to the standard they set on Saturday. They do have a My Space page with some excellent studio tracks.

I gather the band have already conquered such rock `n` rolling hotspots as Strelley, Chesterfield and Skegness and are due to appear at a `50s weekend at Crich Transport Museum in the near future.

Derbyshire Literature Festival

Derbyshire Literature Festival will take place during 11 - 20 May 2012, and will feature various exhibitions and personal appearances by writers.

Commendably, most events will take place in leisure centres and libraries throughout Derbyshire, rather than being concentrated in Derby itself or at the University, thus bringing the festival much closer to home for many people than is usually the case with these things.

I`m told that more than 65 events are planned, and a quick skim through the promotional booklet showed that around 40 locations are involved, including Haddon Hall, and the aforementioned libraries and leisure centres, including those at Alfreton, Bakewell, Calke, Dronfield, Eckington, Fairfield, Glossop, Holymoorside, Ilkeston, both of the Matlocks, Newbold, Whitwell and Wingerworth.

Writers will include Deirdre O`Brien, Morag Joss, Sinclair McKay, Debjani Chatterjee, Paul Kane, Marie O`Regan and Steven Dunne.

I`m sure many of the writers will have their own stories to tell, but perhaps none more notable than that of Jasvinder Sanghera (Ilkeston Library, 16 May) who survived a forced marriage and went on to become not only a writer but a co-founder of Karma Nirvana (www.karmanirvana.org.uk) , a project that supports those affected by so-called `honour` crimes and forced marriage.

That`s enough from me. To find out more about the festival, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/festival .

The Hoonaloon Big April Books Bonanza

Here at Hoonaloon Books we have regular sales throughout the year.


Our current sale is now on (ends 27 April 2012), giving you yet another chance to pick up a bargain.


At any given time we have around 4,000 books in stock, with prices to suit every pocket.


This blog carries links to ABE Books and to our catalogue, but you can if you wish contact us directly ot hoonaloon@btinternet.com.


In the meantime, here are a selection of recent additions to our catalogue.

4951 Hall (ed) - The Green Building Bible

4948 Jeffs (ed), Whitby Schoolkids (poetry/illustrations), Ron Dunn (illustrations) -  If ; An Anthology of Student`s Poetry

4952 - Simon Armitage - Gig ; The Life and Times of a Rock Star Fantasist *Signed copy*

These three were all added to the system today. All being well, full details, descriptions etc will appear on the ABE site and in our catalogue within 24 hours and pictures of the books will added to those within 48 hours.

Any questions, just ask.

Nick and Ann-Marie

Hoonaloon Books