As the OLIVIA exhibition at Quay Arts Centre in Newport draws to a close, with only a couple of days remaining, a last chance beckons for those curious enough to delve into the extraordinary story.
Located in the heart of Newport, the centre has been hosting a captivating visual and aural journey through the life of Olivia Parkes — known locally as Britannia the old lady of the sea — a remarkable woman who spent nearly four decades in a dilapidated boathouse on stilts in Ventnor.
Living against the norm
The essence of OLIVIA lies in its ability to transport its visitors into the rustic world of Olivia through a meticulously crafted replica of her wooden boathouse.
Animated micro ‘vignettes’ are displayed within the model boathouse providing a dynamic portrayal of Olivia’s life, enriched with audio recordings from local Ventnor residents reminiscing about her.
Ventnor’s unconventional dame
Olivia’s unorthodox way of living highlights how society often perceives and reacts to individuals choosing to tread off the beaten path.
The meticulously crafted scenes reveal the minutiae of Olivia’s day-to-day life, shedding light on the spirit of a woman who embraced a lifestyle contrasting starkly with conventional norms.
Capturing the essence
Adding a layer of evocative imagery to the narrative are the photographs by Samuel French, showcased in the Quay Arts Cafe.
The photographic journey captures the Olivia project during its presence at the Ventnor Fringe Festival and also includes inspired imagery narrating the tale of Olivia Parkes through a different lens.
Timings and Best Hours
The exhibition is open to visitors from 9am to 5pm, although the recommended hours for a visit are between 10am and 2pm, in order to see the projected vignettes.
With the narrative of Olivia’s unconventional lifestyle and its societal implications eloquently displayed through the OLIVIA exhibition, a visit promises a stimulating reflection on the myriad ways of human existence.
