She Sells Selsey Seashells is the latest acquisition for the little known but hugely influential Fridge Gallery.  As the curator I gave it a bit of a tidy up yesterday. I am an appalling curator of the Fridge Gallery. I have given it very little thought.

She Sells Selsey Seashells  from Novium Museum Chichester, where there is a David McKee exhibition.

The Novium Home Page – The Novium Museum https://share.google/CtzQuzz1S1pVpQeol

David McKee was a local chap , growing up in Tavistock and attending Arts University Plymouth.

I am a little old to have enjoyed his books as a child but my mum used to make Elmeresque Elephants as gifts for friends’ children out of the scraps of gorgeous fabrics she had from her hobby of making theatrical and dance costumes.

I was not the recipient of an Elmer because I had moved on to Trolls at that point, but my trolls were exceedingly well dressed. My favourite troll ever was a Viking.

This plain blue tabard was recreated many times in gorgeous fabrics. The same patchwork skills she used for her Elmer creations. Although I always thought my troll was a femail Viking . Would Drag Queen Vikings have been a thing in the 60’s and early 70’s?

I had completely forgotten this detail of my 8 year old self until now. Which is why I should pay more attention to the Fridge Gallery!

Oh how I love that cute little troll face. Now to hunt for that exact troll …