Mr. H and His Odd Objects and Curiosities

(feels like home)

Unpacking the contents of a house is an arduous task  

but I can finally say after four weeks that the light is at the end of the tunnel. 

The artwork is up and the last of the stray boxes is finding it's way into the garage. 

As I look around me, I smile because I know anyone who enters 

this humble abode will have any number of thoughts. 

It can range from 'cool' (usually generated from teenagers), 

'Oh my goodness' 

and 
'Wow, what an interesting collection of artwork you have'. 
(the adults)

I never know quite how to interpret that one.

For the past 20 years I have called our decorating style 'eclectic' 
but after living in England for a few months 
I feel more akin with 'odd objects and other curiosities'. 

It is something you might expect here.

(Aboriginal and Maori art)

Our collection started with Mr. H and his time spent in Africa 

as a young man working with the Peace Corps. 

He arrived back to his family home in Connecticut with a 

treasure trove of goodies, saying 

'Mom, look what I bought'.

What is a mother to do? She displays it. 

I have to say at first glance when I met her all those years ago, 

I thought 'better her than me'. I wanted nothing to do with it. 

We were getting married and my tastes were 
definitely going in another direction...

I was thinking 'english country' not 'tribal warfare'.
I was so naive.

(via Elle Decor)

Ten years later... 

and with our second move to Australia, 
I conceded and agreed to a few bark paintings 
and didgeridoos 

as long as they stayed in the family room 
where I felt they were safe from a discerning eye.  

And then it happened, they added the South Pacific islands

to his business responsibilities and I knew I was in trouble. 

He was as giddy as a school boy at the prospect of traveling 

to places he always dreamed about. 

Tarzan was emerging from the dusty covers 

of his school boy comic books and Jane was getting worried.

He came home one day with a full travel itinerary. 

He wanted to meet and greet everyone. 

No stone was to be left unturned. 

Many were delighted at the prospect of his arrival 

as they did not have frequent visitors from Headquarters. 

I reminded him of this new technological age 

and he said there was nothing

 like the 'personal connection' with people.

 Americans!

Papua New Guinea was the first port of call and they loved him. 

Actually, it was a gallery owner that loved him as he cleared out the gallery, twice! 

When the first few boxes cleared customs in Australia I was ready to slap

a 'RETURN TO SENDER' sticker on them. 

Mr H mentioned that they had to be fumigated to be rid of pests. 

I was soon to be educated on the trials and tribulation of 'bores', 

an insect that you do not want picnicking in your furniture. 

The day came..."Dad's" treasures had arrived.

We had a family unveiling ceremony in our garage. 

Mr H was so so excited. 

He opened the first box and well, 
I was speechless, 

the girls started crying 
and my son thought it was 'cool'. 

It was scary and I could foresee 
many sleepless nights 
with children sneaking 

into our bed for comfort.

I stated right then and there 
that we needed a few rules. 

Firstly, their was going to be a new category 

for his artwork and it was ' the office'.

Those days seem so long ago. 

That mask and a 6 foot totem 
and a few other objets d'art 

are sitting snugly wrapped in various crates 
in our garage. 

It looks like a scene from an 
Indiana Jones movie. 

 I eventually came around 

after travelled to Papua New Guinea 

and a few other of his 'hot spots' with him.
I could see why he enjoyed them so much.

I went in search of the more friendly looking pieces 

and we came to a peace agreement. 

Jane insisted on a decorator to make it work

 to which Tarzan banged on his chest 

and then happily acceded as he embarked on yet another trip. 

The possibilities were endless now that 
Jane finally came to her senses...

or so he thought.

I smile with glee as I write this as we are far, 
far away from any land of indigenous art. 
I love it, but we have enough.

Our trips in the foreseeable future 
are all based around Europe. 
Although.... 

I am starting to get that anxious "feeling" 
because he is really excited 

about our trip to Scotland in August 

to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 

and he loves bagpipes...

should I be worried?

Image 1 

Images 2-5 taken by me

Image 6

Images 7-11 taken by me

Image 12

Images 13-16 taken by me

Image 17