AbeonaGiant walrus tusk
If you've visited Poole Museum in the past six months, chances are you've stopped in your tracks beneath Abeona – the breathtaking artwork that now soars through three floors of the museum.
Inspired by Poole's rich maritime heritage, coastal wildlife and the stories of local people, Abeona has quickly become one of the museum's most talked-about features.
Inspired by Poole's rich maritime heritage, coastal wildlife and the stories of local people, Abeona has quickly become one of the museum's most talked-about features.
But while visitors see an intriguing sculpture, getting Abeona into place was anything but simple!
Abeona was created by artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys of INSTAR, with the artwork being carefully developed over many months before being painstakingly installed within Oakley's Mill in the museum.
What now appears weightless and serene required detailed planning, precision manufacturing and an intricate installation process to bring the artists' vision to life.
Now displayed dramatically through the museum's central space, Abeona creates a visual journey between floors, inviting visitors to explore, pause and discover its many intricate details.
Abeona's story belongs to the people of Poole, with more than 150 local people helping to shape the artwork through a programme of creative workshops involving schoolchildren, community groups and residents.
Through INSTAR's work, participants explored local wildlife, shared memories, celebrated favourite places and created original printmaking inspired by Poole's landscape and coastline.
The conversations, ideas and artworks generated through these sessions helped inform the final sculpture, ensuring that community voices are woven throughout the piece.
The result is an artwork that feels distinctly Poole – rooted in local stories, shared experiences and a deep connection to the sea.
Abeona draws inspiration from a historic scrimshaw carved into a walrus tusk held in Poole Museum's collections in the Setting Sail Gallery.
Traditionally created by sailors during long voyages, scrimshaw told stories through intricate carved illustrations. INSTAR has reimagined this practice on a much larger scale, blending heritage, storytelling and contemporary art to create an immersive and tactile experience.
Visitors continue to discover new details hidden within the sculpture's forms, from marine life and coastal references to visual echoes of Poole's maritime past. Every visit offers something different.
Abeona has become far more than a striking centrepiece for the museum. It has sparked conversations, inspired curiosity and created moments of delight for thousands of visitors.
Named after the Roman goddess of outward journeys, Abeona celebrates the journeys that have shaped Poole for centuries – and the journeys that continue today.
Want to learn more about how Abeona was created? Watch our behind-the-scenes film featuring artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys as they discuss the inspiration, community involvement and incredible process of bringing Abeona to life.
Abeona was made possible thanks to National Lottery Players and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It also would not have been possible without the imagination, generosity and enthusiasm of the many people who shared their ideas and creativity throughout its development.
We would like to thank:
- Cornerstone Academy
- Space Youth Project
- The Power House
as well as local residents and volunteers whose contributions helped shape this unique installation.
Your involvement has helped create a lasting celebration of Poole’s past, present and future, and we are deeply grateful for your support.