A trip down memory lane for summer holidays gone by at Pete McKee's latest exhibition

A NOSTALGIA-fuelled throwback to the six weeks' holidays of childhood saw a full size helter skelter, arcade games and pub installed at Rotherham's Magna centre for the biggest exhibition to date from Sheffield artist Pete McKee.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2016, 12:08 BST
Updated 15th May 2016, 13:11 BST
Sheffield artist Pete McKee at his new exhibition at Magna, Six Weeks to Eternity. Picture: Scott MerryleesSheffield artist Pete McKee at his new exhibition at Magna, Six Weeks to Eternity. Picture: Scott Merrylees
Sheffield artist Pete McKee at his new exhibition at Magna, Six Weeks to Eternity. Picture: Scott Merrylees

Snapshots of holidays submitted by more than 200 people around the country made up part of the display, which included 30 original new paintings, and the exhibition hall was split into two parts - the seaside holiday and ‘estateville’ - recreating childhood memories of the holidays when they were spent at home.

Six Weeks to Eternity, which was open just this weekend, included installations featuring memory-provoking relics, such as a Raleigh Chopper bicycle and caravan, plus a fortune teller, candy floss and a film of the artist and his friends taking part in Henderson’s Relish eating challenges.

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The number of visitors of the weekend was expected to top the 3,000 who visited McKee’s last hometown exhibition. Planning for the event began last autumn.

The Six Weeks to Eternity' at Magna in Rotherham features a helter skelter and other traditional seaside attractions. Picture Scott MerryleesThe Six Weeks to Eternity' at Magna in Rotherham features a helter skelter and other traditional seaside attractions. Picture Scott Merrylees
The Six Weeks to Eternity' at Magna in Rotherham features a helter skelter and other traditional seaside attractions. Picture Scott Merrylees

Speaking at the opening, McKee said: “I’ve surprised myself with how smoothly it’s gone - usually an hour before opening I’m still painting bits of scenery. All the feedback so far has been 100 per cent positive - people absolutely love it.”

Related topics:Pete McKeeRotherhamSheffieldPlanning