Exhibition: A Life in Objects

About

This Autumn, Bexhill Museum’s special exhibition features a beautiful and unmissable collection of family collectibles. Every family has their souvenirs, but over half-a-century Bexhill clockmaker John Strevett has turned his collection into a genuine work of art and a chronicle of British history.

His son-in-law Jon Higham has photographed and curated the most iconic & personal items from John’s collection for the exhibition - called A Life in Objects - along with some of the fascinating family stories that go with them.

A list of the items on show barely does justice to their sheer variety. His childhood toys & comics, his certificate of indentures, the key he got on his 21st birthday, the hotel bill from his wedding night, his national service paybook, his watchmakers’ tools – even his Acker Bilk Fan Club boater – and more.

Objects like these tell us about professional lives, hobbies, travels, life-affecting changes big and small and the people with whom they shared their lives, says his son-in-law Jon: “Objects that people keep throughout their lives become a part of them and their narrative.

“Like a fingerprint, each person's collection is unique”. John Strevett’s time watchmaker & repair shop on London Road, Bexhill, was only a part of a long and fulfilling life. Now approaching his ninth decade, John’s remarkable collection is his own life story. Bexhill Museum is honoured to share it.

The exhibition A Life in Objects is on display at Bexhill Museum until the end of December. We are open Tuesday through Sunday, 11.00am to 4.00pm, closed Mondays except on Bank Holidays. Please check the museum website for other open & closed dates before Christmas.