(feels like home)
Unpacking the contents of a house is an arduous task to say the least
but I can finally say after four weeks that the light is at the end of the tunnel.
The artwork is up and the last of the stray boxes is finding it's way into the garage.
As I look around me, I smile because I know anyone who enters
this humble abode will have any number of thoughts.
It can range from 'cool' (usually generated from the teenagers),
'Oh my goodness' ( from those who are at first taken aback)
and 'Wow, what an interesting collection of artwork you have'.
I never know quite how to interpret that one.
For the last 20 years I have called it 'eclectic' but after living in England
for a few months I feel more akin with 'odd objects and other curiosities'.
It is something you might expect here.
(Aboriginal and Maori art)
This all started with Mr. H and his time spent in Africa
as a young man working with the Peace Corps.
He arrived back to his family home in Connecticut with a
treasure trove of goodies, saying
'Look Mom, look what I bought'.
What is a mother to do? She displays it.
I have to say at first glance when I met her all those years ago,
I thought 'better her than me'. I wanted nothing to do with it.
We were getting married and my tastes were definitely going in another direction...
I was thinking 'english country' not 'tribal warfare'.
(via Elle Decor)
Ten years later...
and with our second move to Australia,
I conceded on some and agreed to a
few bark paintings and didgeridoos as long
as they stayed in the family room where
I felt they were safe from social review.
And then it happened,
they added the South Pacific islands
to his business responsibilities and I knew I was in trouble.
He was as giddy as a school boy at the prospect of traveling
to places he always dreamed about.
Tarzan was emerging from the dusty covers
of his school boy comic books and Jane was getting worried.
He came home with a full itinerary. He wanted to meet and greet everyone.
No stone was to be left unturned.
Of course, many were delighted at the prospect of his arrival
as they did not have frequent visitors from Headquarters.
I reminded him of this new technological age
and he said there was nothing like the 'personal connection' with people.
Americans!
Papua New Guinea was the first port of call and they loved him.
Actually, it was a gallery owner that loved him as he cleared out the gallery, twice!
When the first few boxes cleared customs in Australia I was ready to pop
a 'RETURN TO SENDER' sticker on them.
Mr H mentioned that they had to be fumigated to be rid of pests.
I was soon to be educated on the trials and tribulation of 'bores'
an insect that you do not want picnicking in your furniture.
We had a family unveiling ceremony in our garage.
Mr H was so so excited. He opened the first box and well, I was speechless,
the girls started crying and my son thought it was 'cool'. It was scary
and I could foresee many sleepless nights with children sneaking
into our bed talking in their sleep about the boogeyman.
I stated right then and there that we needed a few rules.
Firstly, their was going to be a new category
for his artwork and it was ' the office'.
Those days seem so long ago.
That mask and a 6 foot totem and a few other objets d'art
are sitting snugly wrapped in various crates in our garage.
It looks like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie.
As to the others, well I eventually came around
after traveling to Papua New Guinea
and a few other of his 'hot spots'.
I went in search of the more friendly looking pieces
and we came to a peace agreement.
Jane insisted on a decorator to make it work
to which Tarzan banged on his chest
and then happily acceded as he embarked on yet another trip.
The possibilities were endless now that Jane finally came to her senses...
or so he thought.
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I smile with glee as I write this as we are far, far away
from any land of indigenous art.
Our trips in the foreseeable future are all based around Europe. Although....
I am starting to get that niggly feeling because he is really excited
about our trip to Scotland in August
to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
and he loves bagpipes...
should I be worried?
Images 2-5 taken by me
Images 7-11 taken by me
Images 13-16 taken by me
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