When I was young, a metal plaque hung on our bathroom wall showing an apple-cheeked child in a blue dressing gown clutching bath time bits and bobs.
The dark-haired child stood in front of a bathroom door. Underneath, a verse began: “Please remember – don’t forget – never leave the bathroom wet”.
Below the poem, a blonde haired child languished in an overflowing bath reading a book amid the chaos of a messy bathroom.
This image and verse, by English illustrator and poet Mabel Lucie Attwell, remains burned in my memory bank, as I’m sure it still does for millions.
Having seen the plaque, manufactured by Dundee-based Valentine & Sons, flash up on a screen in a short film by artist Rob Kennedy at V&A Dundee, I’m now searching for one on eBay.
Valentines – From Postcards To Greetings Cards tells the story of postcard and greetings card publishers, Valentine & Sons.
For 150 years, the firm was a major employer in the city once known as Shetown, because so many women worked there.
Valentines went from small family business to one of the world’s most successful publishers of postcards and greetings cards. And more…
The firm harnessed increasing demand for cute, funny and occasionally saucy postcards, greeting cards, plaques and posters.
Following a public call-out, private lenders, many of whom were Valentine’s employees, came forward with stories and photos. This free exhibition is the perfect fit for V&A Dundee, weaving personal testimonies and archive material. Between Kennedy’s film, knockout visuals from graphic designer Maeve Redmond, personal stories from former employees and old photographs, the exhibition paints a picture of another vibrant creative industry no longer with us.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, Luminate, has launched its Creative Ageing Awards. They are looking for nominations recognising creative projects.
The categories are for; a pioneering creative project, celebrating diversity, social care and creativity, outstanding older artist and arts in older people’s healthcare. The Jill Knox Inspiration Award will honour someone who has made a big impact on the creative lives of older people.
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