RAMM is working with the University of Exeter to showcase a Queer Collectors’ Case of meaningful objects.
LGBTQ+ people were invited to ‘donate’ these meaningful objects to the virtual showcase as part of ‘Out and About: Queering the Museum’. Out and About is a National Lottery Heritage-funded project which reveals and celebrates LGBTQ+ heritage embedded in the rich collections at the RAMM.
The project is led by Professor Jana Funke from the University of Exeter and socially-engaged writer Natalie McGrath. They asked LGBTQ+ people to submit a picture, video and/or description of a queer object from home to become part of a digital collectors’ case. These objects all mean something to the LGBTQ+ collectors; some of the objects are intimate and personal, offering affirmative insights into queer and trans lives and experiences. A selection of these donations have now been displayed in an online digital showcase on RAMM Showcase.
Meaningful objects
Objects donated include: a gay fan; a pair of lovebirds bought from a charity shop; a rainbow pride badge; and a Lesbian Archive and Information Centre (LAIC) membership card.
Participant Kate Marks, who donated her copy of Anne Bannon’s pulp fiction novel Odd Girl Out said:
‘[Odd Girl Out] was the first lesbian pulp fiction book I ever bought. I was inspired to buy it after listening to a talk by historian Dr Amy Tooth Murphy on the golden age of lesbian pulp fiction. Dr Murphy’s talk was the first time I had properly understood the LGBTQ+ history could be possible as an academic field. It helped me to develop a love of historical lesbian fiction and a pride in my own identity.’
Professor Funke also donated her own object, a painting by Mary Stella Edwards. Mary Stella Edwards and Judith Ackland were two artists who lived together and collaborated. They spent much of their time in their cabin in Bucks Mills in North Devon. Some of Edwards’ and Ackland’s paintings are in the RAMM collection. Professor Funke says:
‘During the first lockdown last year, I found a small oil painting by Mary Stella Edwards online. It is signed using her pseudonym “ALLETS” – Stella spelled backwards! We are keen to explore Edwards’ and Ackland’s life and work as part of the Out and About: Queering the Museum project.’
We are still accepting donations to the Collectors Case; you can submit yours by emailing a photograph or video of the meaningful object to [email protected]. Donors may remain anonymous if they prefer.
Out and About: Queer Collectors Case can be viewed at showcase.ramm.org.uk. More information on Out and About, as well as the full list of donated objects, can be found at outandabout.exeter.ac.uk
