Exhibition Opening

The Summer Exhibition has just launched at Saffron Walden Museum, bringing back memories of past holidays. “Soggy Sandwiches: Tales of a British Summer” is an exhibition full of colour and joy, offering the perfect way to enjoy those sometimes less-than-glorious summer afternoons. The exhibition provides an insight into how the “classic” British summer holiday has evolved from the travels of the rich to the wanderings of every person, how society has shaped holidays, and how the holiday spirit has changed society. Simon Hilton-Smith, the exhibition curator, stated that he and Charlotte Pratt, the exhibition’s designer, hoped to create a “scrapbook-like aesthetic” that encourages visitors to truly “engage with the objects on display.” He hopes that each visitor will be able to interact with the exhibition on a personal level, “creating their own unique experience and reminiscing about past holidays”. The vibrant displays are intended to prompt visitors to share their stories with others, creating an autobiographical experience that can be passed down through generations. The exhibition aims not to be a pedagogical display of facts presented in a chronological narrative but to “revive memories through visual and audio stimulation”, says Simon. Indeed, the exhibition is a real feast for the eyes, with a hanging boat, seabirds adorning the walls, and even an installation by artist Laura Joan Smith, whose work combines photographic stills and audio separated not in space but through time. Soggy Sandwiches: Tales of British Summer provoke memories, and you want to share your holiday experiences with others. So why not visit and create some new memories of your own? The exhibition is held throughout the summer holidays at Saffron Walden Museum, from July 20th until October 13th. The museum’s permanent collections and grounds, including medieval castle ruins, offer the perfect day out for the whole family. Saffron Walden Museum: The Little Museum with the entire world inside.