'Massey Heritage' on show in Canterbury

An exhibition that opened in Christchurch this week features commemorative silverware, ceremonial honours and presentations bestowed on former Prime Minister William Ferguson Massey and later given to the University named after him by his family.

The exhibition, Massey Heritage: Insights into the University’s Collection, is the work of current Museum Studies students, including extramural students from the South Island.

From 1916-21, centres in Britain Freedom of the City on Mr Massey (Prime Minister from 1912-25) as a personal honour and to recognise New Zealand’s contribution to the Imperial forces in World War I. The exhibition features several of the mementos, including ornamental caskets with intricately painted enamel scenes and elaborate heraldic motifs. Museum Studies programme coordinator Susan Abasa says these are highly symbolic depictions of national identity.

The exhibition also includes colonial silver, ceremonial regalia and contemporary art works with South Island themes and connections that are part of the University’s collection. Ms Abasa says the opportunity for the extramural students to work on the exhibition, and make the university’s presence better known in the South Island, was too good to resist.

“It’s a great teaching opportunity for the North Island students, who did preliminary research and packaged the exhibits up, and for the South Island students to unpack and install it.”

The exhibition coincides with the golden jubilee of the university’s distance learning (extramural) programme, which began in 1960. Museum Studies is offered extramurally to students studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies.

In Canterbury alone there are about 1300 Massey extramural students as well more than 4000 alumni.

The exhibition, at Christchurch City Council’s community gallery, Our City O-Tautahi, runs till August 7.