Brighton Pavilion Souvenirs

  • Jasmine Vorley
This series of handcrafted wooden toys has been made with reference to the broad range of satirical cartoons made featuring George IV throughout his lifetime, a relentless onslaught of caricatures brought on by his flamboyant and excessive lifestyle. Made with children in mind but also appealing to adults, the collection takes imagery from these cartoons and recreates them in playful 3D outcomes. Many of these toys also try to adhere to the principles of the ‘Slow Toy Movement’ wherein classic designs are combined with everlasting appeal, as a reaction to the cheap or screen-oriented toys of today. In the collection are three wooden wheel-along toys (a dragon and ‘Two Green Bags’), an automaton depicting George IV and Lady Conyngham attempting to ride the ‘camelopard’ and two shadow puppets of George IV and Mrs Fitzherbert. All of these items are accompanied by a postcard depicting the comic or motif used as reference image, and the packaging includes some written information as well. This project aims to capture the humour and absurdity to be found in Brighton Pavilion’s history, something which is played down in the guided tour.