Museum To Open New Decoy Exhibition

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is unveiling a new exhibition, The Art of the Hunt: Martha’s Vineyard Decoys on Friday, November 2^nd. The exhibition explores the work of Vineyard carvers and the use of decoys on the Island from the late 19^th through mid 20^th century. Chris Murphy, son of the late artist and decoy expert Stan Murphy and decoy carver himself, guest curated the exhibition with the Museum curators.  

Stan Murphy, in his book Martha's Vineyard Decoys, wrote of a decoy he found buried in the dunes. "It was carefully hand-carved by someone who knew a great deal about birds, someone who went beyond craft and created a work of art." But the men who made duck decoys on Martha's Vineyard did not think of themselves as artists. They carved and painted wooden birds for the purpose of attracting real ones for sport or food. Keyes Chadwick and other carvers featured in the exhibition created working ducks that transcended their intended purpose to become works of art, a testament to the shape and form of the birds they hunted.

The Art of the Hunt explores three themes. The first examines how carvers on the Island have made decoys over time. The second looks at how waterfowl hunting on the Island has evolved both for food and sport. The transition from using decoys as tools for the hunt to prized folk art is the focus of the final theme.

The exhibit highlights styles of different decoy carvers and shows the various locations across the Island where hunting has occurred. It includes interviews conducted by Oral History Curator Linsey Lee with a variety of Vineyard hunters. It also features a number of objects on loan as well as the first look at several Island-made decoys that have been newly added to the Museum’s collection through the generosity of Allan and Shelley Holt.

“It has been a wonderful experience working on this exhibit,” says Guest Curator Chris Murphy. “It has forced me to look at a subject I am very familiar with with a set of fresh eyes. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Museum curators and exploring the amazing collection of decoys and other artifacts the Museum has.”

The opening reception for The Art of the Hunt will take place on Friday, November 2^nd. Members are invited for a special preview beginning at 5pm. To become a member, visit www.mvmuseum.org/membership.php. The exhibit will open to the general public at 5:30pm. Admission to the opening is free to members, and $7 for non-members. The exhibition will be on display through March 23, 2013.