Art Exhibition Explores Human Relationship with Possessions and Waste

Maria Meyer, an artist whose father operated an antiques dealership, has assembled an exhibition at St Albans Museum & Gallery in Hertfordshire. The display utilizes discarded objects to explore the human connection to material possessions. Ms. Meyer stated, “Items that have been overlooked or thrown away intrigue me.” Titled “Thingchronicity,” the complimentary exhibition challenges the ecological consequences of refuse and “rampant consumerism.” Ms. Meyer commented, “There is a magic to objects, the allure of them, and they do speak to us.” She elaborated, “That relationship on the one hand is lovely and can have sentimental meaning, but at the same time it’s an unhealthy relationship because we want too much of it. “We consume objects more than we need to.” The University of Hertfordshire’s arts and culture department curated this exhibition, which presents unexpected pairings, including roller skates connected with a hair extension and bow ties. Ms. Meyer explained, “I found the skates in a bin outside – they were brand new.” She added, “That sculpture in particular is a really good example of how people buy stuff and chuck it out.” A different artwork incorporates a Zimmer frame discovered by the artist in the street. Ms. Meyer remarked, “It’s classic waste. The NHS gives them out for free and people don’t want a used one. You see them a lot.” Ms. Meyer has also sourced objects from online platforms such as eBay and Freecycle. She observed, “It’s incredible what people chuck away.” Further, she noted, “I always tell people I’m going to use it in art, and they’re fascinated and pleased. They’re glad it’s being used.” Ms. Meyer attributes her “fascination with objects” partly to her father’s antiques business. She recalled, “Dad had several lock-ups rammed to the gunnels, and I’d go in as a child while he was moving stuff around. It was fusty with antiques. The stories they could tell if they could speak.” She added, “Just the smell of those places, and the look and feel of the old things in them, inspired my vivid imagination.” Ms. Meyer, a recent MA in art graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, characterized her creations as “conceptual.” She commented on the venue, stating, “The museum team are trying to open people’s minds to what art can be, rather than go for the mass appeal. It’s quite brave of them.” The complimentary exhibition will be available for viewing at St Albans Museum & Gallery until March 9. For updates on Beds, Herts and Bucks news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. Please note that the BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.