Ryde’s smallest art gallery is marking its second anniversary this month with an installation that celebrates the Museum of Ryde.
Local creative Naomi Baisley, while studying for her MA in Graphic Design, became intrigued by the ‘Rydeosaurs’ that are held in the Museum of Ryde’s collection. Forty of these cast-iron mythical creatures were installed in the Ryde pier shelters during a Victorian upgrade.
When they were temporarily removed during a later restoration, it seems only thirty-eight made it back to the pier. The Museum of Ryde has since acquired the two ‘lost’ Rydeosaurs for its collection.
Discovering and re-telling the Rydeosaurs story
Naomi said,
“The underground Museum of Ryde holds many secrets and stories about our town.
“The history of the Rydeosaurs, the guardians of the pier, is one such story that has been a delight to discover and re-tell.”
Harris: To see them now larger than life in this iconic phone box is wonderful
Brian Harris, Chairman of the Historic Ryde Society which runs the Museum of Ryde, is delighted with the installation of Naomi’s Rydeosaur-inspired artwork.
“The Rydeosaurs have been immortalised in both the Mayor of Ryde’s regalia and in the logo for the Historic Ryde Society so to see them now larger than life in this iconic phone box is wonderful.”
A remarkable collection of Ryde-related treasures
The Museum holds a remarkable collection of Ryde-related treasures that includes maps, prints, newspapers, photographs and countless historic objects. The team is working hard to keep this valuable resource open to the public.
If you’d like to help with fund raising or volunteering you can contact them at [email protected] or find them online.
Special entry offer
The Museum is running a special offer of £1 off entry to the Museum if visitors can tell them how many Rydeosaurs are featured in the current Re:Box installation (normal entry is £5).
About Re:Box
Re:Box is Ryde’s smallest art gallery sited in a classic Kiosk No.6 red phone box on Lind Street. Through BT’s ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ initiative, Ryde Town Council purchased the box for £1 and turned it over to Anmarie Bowler and Zoë Barker, a pair of local creatives determined to give this decommissioned piece of street furniture a new lease of life. Lit from the inside, when night falls Re:Box transforms into a lightbox that creates the magical impression of glowing stained glass.
Since August 2022, Anmarie and Zoë have worked with numerous Island artists, organisations and events to create a series of ever-changing and surprising installations. New Carnival Company, Shademakers, Monkton Arts, the Biosphere Project, Dark Skies Festival, the Ryde Art Trail, Ryde Pride and Superman are among those to have been featured.
Have an idea for Re:Box?
Re:Box is now working on the creative programme for 2025. Do you have an idea?
Get in touch at [email protected] or search Facebook – ReBoxRyde.
News shared by Zoe on behalf of the Re:Box project. Ed
