I had a fantastic discussion about Walsall’s Hand of Glory with the magnificent Julie Brown for Voices in Collections – New Art Gallery Walsall’s Community Collections Panel podcast.
I was invited on to talk about the work I exhibited for the CCP’s Pride&Privilege exhibition, which examined how class is represented in the collections. Hand of Glory (in absentia) was an homage to the semi-legendary human arm reputedly found in the attic chimney of the White Hart Inn.
It was great to have such an in depth discussion with Julie about this individual, the aims of the wider More That Human project and the profound influence Walsall’s museums and gallery had on me.
This is particularly relevant right now as Walsall Council are planning to close the Leather Museum, claiming the current building (a listed original leatherworks) isn’t fit for purpose and moving part of the collection to a new museum in an undisclosed location. There are serious concerns about the future of all the pieces in the council’s care. Please consider signing the petition to halt the process – https://www.change.org/p/halt-the-proposed-sale-and-closure-of-walsall-leather-museum
I feel in this podcast I express how much of an effect having these resources open to me had on my life, and I want future generations growing up in Walsall to have the same opportunity.
Vicky Roden 