Starting from the 1600s, there was a trend in Europe's wealthy and educated circles that was mainly embraced by male collectors. These collectors created special rooms, known as 'Cabinets of Curiosities' or 'wonder-chambers', which housed an array of fascinating and strange objects. These collections included a diverse and whimsical mix of things, such as art, decorative items, preserved body parts, skeletons, stuffed animals, and insects like butterflies. These private collections were often seen as a mixture of quasi-scientific objects and other interesting and educational items from around the world. In fact, they were the precursor to modern-day museums.

It's important to note that some of the items in these historic collections may seem a bit eerie to modern-day viewers. However, the Cabinets of Curiosities were a popular trend in their time, and they remain a fascinating part of our cultural history.

This collection of objects is a fascinating and eclectic mix, drawn from both The Suter's collection and long-term loans. The pieces on display have various qualities of strangeness, the macabre, or peculiarity, and are sure to capture your attention. The late Bill Hammond's paintings and works on paper explore the rare birds of 19th century Aotearoa, many of which were hunted, stuffed, and traded. His pieces offer a unique insight into this particular period of history.

Contemporary jeweller Warwick Freeman's Dead Set II series is a product of his three-year period of scavenging dead animal parts from all sorts of places. These pieces are both striking and thought-provoking. Liyen Chong's work, on the other hand, references human anatomy in a unique way, with a tiny hand embroidered with her own hair.

Yuk King Tan's Untitled (Dog) Mask is a dramatic piece that slowly reveals its features, offering an ambiguous commentary on identity and Chinese astrology. Virginia Leonard's strange and chaotic urns, on the other hand, parallel her psychological and bodily trauma, making for a poignant and thought-provoking display.

Finally, Zac Langdon-Pole's work combines materials in unexpected ways, creating a curious and mesmerizing effect. His piece featuring a nautilus shell and a gleaming meteorite is a visual metaphor that is sure to fascinate. Overall, this collection of pieces is sure to appeal to a wide range of people and is not to be missed.

Liyen Chong, Document, 2007, The artist’s hair embroidered on linen
On long term loan to The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū