Six distinguished artists are featured as part of Material Memories, which opened on the weekend. 

Meteorites, crystals, snake skins, dinosaur bones and rare exotic specimens form part of the collection that inspired the artists.

QVMAG visual art and design curator Ashleigh Whatling said the gallery at Royal Park had played a role in enriching the artistic culture of the city, as well as inspiring and educating Tasmanians for more a century. 

“Material Memories is an extraordinary collection, greatly influenced by contemporary art, natural science and 40,000 years of human history on offer at QVMAG,” she said. 

“These six artists have created wonderful pieces that reflect this beloved and respected institution. 

"It’s an opportunity for people to come and and see the QVMAG legacy expressed through the artwork it fosters.”

Material Memories brings together interdisciplinary practitioners that specialise in creating works that blur the boundaries between art, craft and design.

Susan Buchanan, Janine Combes, Eli Giannini and Sarah Stubbs fashioned works that merge contemporary art with jewellery making.

Penelope Davis works on the cusp of contemporary photography and sculptural installation, while Robyn Pelan excelled in crafting her ceramic pieces.

Convict cuffs, arrow rings and Tasmanian identity neck pieces are just a few of the exciting items showcased, with each piece telling stories of place and visual memory.

The exhibition opened on Saturday and runs until September.

Material Memories is one of six temporary exhibitions currently at the gallery.

Also showing is ArtStart, Community Collector, Landmarks, Robyn McKinnon – Disappearing into Being, The Great War 1914-18 : Sacrifice and Shadows and The Three M's: miniatures, models and memories.

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is at 8/2-8 Wellington Street, Launceston.

For more information about current and upcoming exhibitions, go to www.qvmag.tas.gov.au.