Project Work | Museumofmeexhibition

Over the course of the 3 month online digital co-produced project between the School of African Cultures, in partnership with PACHEDU and the Creative Learning Team at Paisley Museum all the children and young adults have been investigating Paisley Museum’s collections. As well as exploring key historical figures including John Edmonstone, Mary Jane Seacole and Peter Burnet (known throughout Paisley as ‘Black Peter’) reflecting on their lives and identities using a variety of creative skills.

Through this lens the children and young adults were then able to explore their own identity and what it means to be African and Scottish in Renfrewshire in 2020. During the project the children and young adults were inspired to research these historical figures further and create images and writing based on these inspirational people. Some examples of their work can be viewed below.

Click on each image to enlarge the artwork and view the text label.

'Mary Jane Seacole' by Chara

This portrait of Mary Jane Seacole has been inspired by Seacole's heroic nursing work during the Crimean War, 1853 - 1856.

'Mary Jane Seacole' by Marcus

This drawing has been inspired by the dedicated work of Mary Jane Seacole, as she nursed and cared for soldiers during the Crimean War, 1853 - 1856.

'Mary Seacole helping Soldiers' by Jordi

This drawing has been inspired by the work of Mary Jane Seacole during the Crimean War, 1853-1856. Mary Jane Seacole set up the 'British Hotel' behind the front line to care and nurse soldiers injured in the war.

'Peter Burnet' by Esther

This is a portrait of weaver Peter Burnet, also known throughout Paisley as 'Black Peter', he was a talented weaver and was friends with the famous poet Robert Tannahill.

'John Edmonstone' by David

This is a portrait of John Edmonstone, the man who taught Charles Darwin the art of taxidermy in the 1820s and inspired Darwin's developing interest in the Natural World.

'Owl' by Michael

This drawing of a taxidermy owl was inspired by the work of John Edmonstone.

'Different Types of Beaks' by Jordi

This drawing of birds has been inspired by the taxidermy work of John Edmonstone.

''John Edmonstone' by Keziah

This is a portrait of John Edmonstone, the man who taught Charles Drawin the art of Taxidermy in the 1820s and inspired his developing interest in the Natural World.

'Bird' by Daisy

This drawing of a bird has been inspired by the work of John Edmonstone.