‘Art you can touch’ complements masterpiece
‘Art you can touch’ complements masterpiece
VOLUNTEERS have created a sensory ‘painting’ to help people interact with a masterpiece at The Beacon Museum.
The museum in Whitehaven is currently hosting Verrochio’s Tobias and the Angel, on loan from The National Gallery until June 4.
The priceless 15th century oil painting can not, of course, be touched, so this display was created by four volunteers to allow everyone to interact with the painting in a different, more sensory way.
The outline of the sensory piece mirrors that of the original, but different fabrics, beads and other items have been sewn on to the canvas. Visitors can physically engage with it, whilst enjoying seeing the original masterpiece in the same visit.
Volunteer Ann (pictured left) said: “I enjoyed creating a sensory picture that, hopefully, will benefit visitors of all ages and bring the painting to life in a different way. It was lovely working in a small team of four – it allowed me to share my existing sewing and craft skills and learn from the others on ideas to complete the project.”
Doreen, pictured right, said: “What at first seemed a daunting task turned out to be an enjoyable one due to a great team with good ideas. I enjoyed creating the beaded and stump work stones in the foreground. It was a lovely privilege to be able help create a sensory picture to be viewed along with the original masterpiece,”
Another volunteer who took part, Nicola, said: “I enjoyed the challenges of producing the sensory picture, such as choosing the materials and ensuring each area had a different sensory experience. But the most surprising outcome was how we all enjoyed working together and the friendships that have been made. I certainly would love to do another project.”
A fourth volunteer, Amelie, was also part of the project.
Tobias and the Angel is on loan as part of The National Gallery’s Masterpiece tour. The painting shows the archangel Raphael guiding Tobias and his dog through the countryside, to collect a debt owed to his blind father, Tobit. Tobias carries a gutted fish, while Raphael shows him a box containing its organs – ingredients to cure Tobit’s blindness.
It is on display at the museum until June 4. The museum also has four floors of interactive, family friendly exhibits and local history. To book a visit, or find out more, visit https://thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk
