1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/04/2004   
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This section draws on text by arts journalist Pollyanna Sutton published on the ABC web site, 23 April 2002, at Signal Regional Arts: QVMAG: Strings Across Time



'Strings Across Time', which opened in 2001 at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk in Launceston, is a unique exhibition that brings together a comprehensive survey of 40 necklaces. In this permanent gallery space the evolution of this cultural practice and the work of 19th century necklace makers is exhibited alongside the work of contemporary Tasmanian Aboriginal women. The opening of a gallery space has also provided the opportunity to set a benchmark nationally for the care, handling and preservation of these necklaces.

'The style of production of these necklaces is quite unique to Tasmania and that is, in part, environmental', said Glenda King, curator of the exhibition and the Museum’s Curator of Craft and Design since 1985.

'Skills are passed through the family line but not necessarily from mother to daughter. Shell collecting was a group activity but there are very few of the older makers still alive, and the actual making can be quite private.'

Contemporary necklace makers featured in the exhibition include Dulcie Greeno, Muriel Maynard, Joan Brown, Gladys Maynard, Corrie Fullard, Valerie MacSween and Lola Greeno.