The region’s connections with China and Japan are being explored in an intriguing new exhibition at Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura.
The museum has re-opened after a major refurbishment of its exhibits hall. Curator Judith Hewitt and her team have been delving into the archives to stage Collecting and Connecting: Objects from China and Japan, which will run until September 1 and is free to visit Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
They have put on display some beautiful and intriguing objects from East Asia including paintings, silks, books, shoes, vases and more.
Judith said the focus of the exhibition is on the objects and who collected them, how they came to be in our museum collection and what they tell us about the people of the time and the connections Dumfries and Galloway has with China and Japan.
The exhibition has been created in partnership with the National Museum of Scotland and based on their research. It also includes interactive opportunities for visitors of all ages, plus the chance to watch a film created by a local resident using Japanese calligraphy.
Among the items on display is a painting by Anna Hotchkissm called Chinese Grandmother dressed for the New Year being hailed as “a lovely example of one woman painting another”. Anna travelled around China in the 1930s drawing inspiration from the land and its people.
Another object causing interest is an 18th century Chinese puchbowl which features a caricature of a Highlander.
