While researching her home borough, Hackney based artist Susanna Edwards stumbled across an account documenting when blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield visited Hackney Town Hall to present the prizes for no other than the 'Best Budgerigar & Foreign Bird Competition'. Inspired by her find, Edwards naturally set about booking the exact same venue, kitting herself out as Mansfield and reenacted the legendary fete. Local artists and designers arrived on the sunny afternoon and came equipped with budgie style treats to sell and swap. Everything from finger puppets, cookies and some spakerly jewels from The Tatty Devine girls who also designed the rosettes for the winning birds. Local resident, Charles Smorthit, who came along on the day had attended the original event in 1959 and was thrilled to see it happening all over again. The competition also raised money for All Saints Church. If budgies are your thing and you missed the fete, Photographs from the event are on show at the Tatty Devine gallery space at Brick Lane in June, to form the 'Jayne Amongst the Birds' exhibition along with other budgie paraphernalia from the fete. 'Jayne Amongst the Birds' an exhibition by Susanna Edwards and Luke Stephenson Tatty Devine, 236 Brick Lane, London. E2 7EB. Exhibition - Tatty Devine, 27th June to 17th August, 11am-6pm everyday |
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