THE MINISTRY OF STEAMPUNK
What is it The Great Exhibition?
​The Great Exhibition is an art exhibition and competition. It has been a key feature of the Asylum Steampunk Festival for many years. We welcome previously unseen and anonymised entries and the winning entrants each receive one of the very special numbered MoS Creativity Award medals.
The Great Exhibition at AXV
As in previous years, we will welcome entries for The Great Exhibition Competition at Asylum XV. There is no 'theme' set at the Asylum. Entries can be 2D or 3D artworks, textiles or poems. Awards are given in the following categories:
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The Brunel Award for the Spirit of Steampunk​
The Jules Verne Award for Ingenuity​
The Pugin Award for Craftsmanship​
The Rosetti Award for Aesthetics​
The Ruskin Award for a painting, drawing or other 2D artwork
​The Steam Bear Award
​The Worth Award for Textiles
​The Bernhardi Award for Poetry
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There is also the Cameron Award for photography, but the means of entry and judging differ from the other categories, so the Cameron Award has its own website page here.
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There is no need to pre-register entries at the Asylum. Together with your creation you will need to bring along a card describing the work in up to 100 words, with your name and contact details (phone number and email) on the back. If you use a different name on Facebook from your real name, please provide both.
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For the Bernhardi Award for poetry your entry must be on a card no bigger than A4 size and legible by a person with 'reasonable' eyesight.
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The location of the Great Exhibition is changing for AXV and it will be held in the Heritage Centre, in a room to the left of the main entrance hall (this room has not previously been in use during Asylum). The Heritage Centre will be open from Friday 22 August at 14:30 onwards and on Saturday morning from 10:00 onwards. Please bring any creations you wish to enter into the competition before 12 noon on Saturday 23 August.
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All entries must be your own work and must not have been seen previously, either in real life or on line. Entries will all be judged blind by an independent panel by Monday morning when notices will be placed alongside the winning entries so that entrants and other festival attendees will be able to check back to see which entry won which award.​​
Each award winner will receive a Ministry of Steampunk Creativity Award Medal (pictured) which will be individually numbered on the back. The medals will be awarded during the closing ceremony on Monday afternoon at the Bandstand, together with a numbered certificate. The ministry will keep a database of all winners for future reference.
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We ask anyone who has previously won an award on two or more occasions to mark any piece they wish to display 'for exhibition only'. This way the item will still be seen and enjoyed by visitors to the exhibition but it will not be considered for the awards to give others an opportunity to win.​
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​​We are very excited to see what you make for The Great Exhibition at AXV.
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Meanwhile, you will find some information about the winning entries for Asylum XIII and Asylum XIV below.
THE GREAT EXHIBITION
In the Heritage Centre at AXV
The Great Exhibition Winners from Asylum XIV
The Rosetti Award for Aesthetics
Awarded to Michelle Rauf for her "Steampunk Slow Stitch"
This book has been entirely made by using threads, cottons, cloth, recycled trims, antique lace and appliqués.
Everything has been hand sewn by me using different embroidery stitches on top of wool felt base 'pages'.
Taking time to sew, in a mindful state. Hence the name 'Slow Stitch'.
I have personally printed images onto cotton fabric to incorporate into the design of the pages, and sewn ribbon on the spine to represent the lacing of a corset.
Meander through tactiie pages to soak up the wonderful collage of intriguing images that take you on a journey of Steampunk adventure!
The Verne Award for Ingenuity
Awarded to Rosie Griffiths for "Field Lab"
Following the first Martian invasion, the British Government established the Ministry of Science and Technology or MOST. As part of this urgent programme to provide effective future defences for the nation, multiple field laboratories were sent out across the nation.
Samples of matter found near sites known to have seen Martian activity were collected along with soil and other samples for testing and analysis.
Samples of red weed were of particular interest and extensive tests were carried out to establish the molecular structure and composition. This valuable work would provide a basis for developing defence strategies.
The Brunel Award for the Spirit of Steampunk
Awarded to Abby Buckland for "Murder a cup of Tea"
It was two in the morning. I was exhausted, but my costume, at long last, was complete. I looked around at the mess: the table; the floor; the desk; all smothered in my sewing debris. I stared at a dropped tin of pins - each and every one of them waiting to be picked up ...
'I could murder a cup of tea,' thought I (too late for gin!)
'Murder ... Murder? Crows come in murders?'
I was suddenly awake. I looked at the scraps of material and I saw crows everywhere; a murder of crows making me a perfect cup of tea!
Worth Award for Textiles
Awarded to Birgit Shelley for "Tia"
Sentinel of Dreams and Creativity.
Play with their ears and the ferocious cat who chases nightmares away will turn into a playful puppy who will invite you to dream up more games to play.
Hugs and selfies welcome just leave the ears up for the cat when you leave, so the next friend can play.
The Pugin Award for the Craftsmanship
Awarded to Jared Walker for "Martian Fighting Machine"
This 1:100 scale model of the Martian Fighting Machine from H.G. Wells' ''War of The Worlds" is based upon the popular depiction contained in the fold-out art book from the 1978 album by Jeff Wayne.
It has been a labour of love, entirely hand carved by myself frorn reclaimed mahogany wood and using only hand tools.
The legs were particularly challenging - recreating the dual piston effect in wood this thin took hours of careful attention.
If you look closely, you wilI see that the Martian Heat Ray even has a hollow nozzle to incinerate Horsell Common with!
The Steam Bear Award
Awarded to Rosie Griffiths for "Titus Rex"
Knitted in a bend of Sirdar cotton and bamboo double knitting yarn on 3.5mm needles and stuffed with polyester fibre from an old pillow case, I created Titus using a pattern borrowed from a friend.
I decided he needed some enhancement so I hand sewed a rather oversized waistcoat, large enough to expand to accommodate a successful hunt for dinnerl
As Titus prefers to travel and explore new lands and destinations, I've equipped him with a back pack (containing his books and a bottle of his favourite tipple, gin) a hurricane lamp and a brimmed hat.
The Ruskin Award for 2D artwork
Awarded to Nikolay Tarasov for "The Phantom of the Burlesque"
It seems that too many layers were taken off...
The Cameron Award for photography
Awarded to Cyanida for "True Basket Case"
The Bernhardi Award for Poetry
Awarded to Captain Skirmish for "Return to Lindum"
Another year has passed, it seems, events have come and gone
Now we return to Lindum fair, keep calm and carry on
All that making, all that sewing, all that sharp precision
All that tack, tech, tick and tock has now come to fruition
The finery, divinery, is out for all to view
Accoutrements that complement are worshipped here anew
We walk amongst the sights and sounds, and pass the time of day
Greet each other with a word, a hug, and wend our way
Soak up vibes and atmosphere and breathe the very æther
In the Castle of Colonia and the history beneath her
We tarry a while and pause to smile each time we chance to sit
We may not know just what 'this' is, but know that 'this is it'
Steampunk's not the gears or goggles, not the brass or copper
It's neither bowler nor the boater, not the pith or topper
It's more a sense of unity, benign, that keeps us going
A hip-hooray and seize the day, that cup is overflowing
So raise a glass, and toast 'Huzzah!' and hope this never ends
Look around at all we've found - for Steampunk ... is the friends
The Great Exhibition Winners from Asylum XIII
The Rosetti Award for Aesthetics
Awarded to Ann Riply for her "Junk Journal and Briefcase"
I am old, the years have passed, my spine is broken, my cover is tatty and dirty. The words on my pages are out-dated, the images consigned to history. My worth has gone, resigned I am to the rubbish bin.
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Lifted high, the dust blown from my cover, while gentle fingers caress the embossed undulations of my once glorious bindings.
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A new transformation has begun no sorrow for the pages now gone. Treat me gently like a new baby and in return discover what lies upon each new leaf.
​​My worth restored anew. Now and in the future post apocalyptic my measure more than gold to those that come, a story to be told. A better world that they may see among the pages here that be. A steampunk community. Be nice, be splendid, be welcoming. I hope to give pleasure to you and you and you.
The Verne Award for Ingenuity
Awarded to Anthony Osman for "Steampunk Tarot"
Madam Misfit • The Fool
Open your mind and be curious. You have great potential and opportunity, go with your gut and do the best you can.
Alice Strange • The High Priestess
Meditate and dream, look towards your intuition, trust in yourself and look for the answers.
Professor Elemental • The Hermit
Be guided by the light and be an example to others. Stand upon high and be brave enough to stand out from the crowd.
The Brunel Award for the Spirit of Steampunk
Awarded to Alison Dunlop for "Lord Theodore, 10th Earl of Tipsyton"
Lord Theodore (Teddy to his friends), tenth Earl of Tipsyton, has Just returned from drinking tea alI afternoon with his friends at the Asylum. He is considered a fabulous drinking buddy as he always has available his 'special ingredient' to enhance the tea-drinking experience - MEAD - a delicious (and potent) brew made from honey, a treat traditionally adored by bears. Now he's feeling relaxed and sleepy and has discovered Just how comfortable his sheepskin rug can be!
I handmade this little bear from my own design, and used scrap materials to fashion his clothes, hat, cane, cushions, bottle of mead and tea cup and saucer from scratch.
Worth Award for Textiles
Awarded to Brigit Shelley for "Snuggle Dragon"
Snuggle Dragon's are of compact size and entice with soft scales and wings.
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They require regular snuggles and welcome hugs at any time.
The Pugin Award for the Craftsmanship
Awarded to Michelle Rauf for "Getting Ready for Asylum 2033"
After acquiring the prototype Time Machine, Theodore Alexander decides to go to Asylum ten years into the future from this year's event!
Everything has been scratch bullt using: Paper, card, Fimo, wire, beads, and craft sticks. There is a little ceiling light that switches on tool!
So here's just a 'little something' to take a peek at. You can use the magnifying glass to take a closer look!
The Steam Bear Award
Awarded to Silantre Cogan for "Lord Barnabas of Fluffington Manor"
Meet Lord Barnabas, an older gentleman who still likes to strut his stuff around the town. He's a skiller tinkerer who is heir to the Fluffington estate. I was commissioned by him to make a tailored suit out of the finest materials.
However I'm cheap!
I really wanted to challenge myself with this build, so I didn't buy anything new and instead, used scraps lying around in my 'leftovers bucket' from previous projects (don't tell him!). All of his clothes are scratch built, with a few curated accessories to help accent the outfit.
The Ruskin Award for 2D artwork
Awarded to Ryan Iverson for "Michael Montgomery “Dave” MacMouski"
Michael Montgomery "Dave" MacMouski, chief engineer for the MacMouski Teapot Racing Team pit stop crew.
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Dave took a break from preparing for the Lincoln Asylum to pose for this portrait [acrylic on canvas].
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Dave graduated from M.I.T. [Mouse International Technical College] and has had a long and successful career working with his brothers in the teapot motor vehicle industry for the past eleven months. He looks forward to a well earned retirement in four weeks time when he reaches the ripe old age of two.
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Dave is a cheese connoiseur and a member of Glasgow Ubiquitous E. Steampunk Society.
The Bernhardi Award for Poetry
Awarded to Captain Skirmish for "A Brave New World"
A Brave New World (and a sort of a rap)
What is a Steampunk? Now, that is the question
And after much pondering, here's my suggestion
We're a geek show, a freak show, a not for the meek show
We're nerd-do-wells and retro-bates
Never put on a weak show
We're on a sci-fi drive-by and we're friended and mended
Shenanigans the mission - our superpower is splendid
And you can be a superhero just by being super-nice
And as that costs you nothing it's a real fair price
It's a brave new world but a thing of the past
With a brighter future and it's built to last
Over-engineered, recycled, refined
It's all in the presentation, yet it's all in the mind
So if you dress to impress or you dress to feel good
Whether dressing up or dressing down it is understood
That at heart we're all one, yes we're one and the same
So look out for each other, don't play the shame game
And protect the name Steampunk, stay splendid and charming
Inviting, and calming, no harm in disarming
So let's shake hands with each other and ditch all the junk
Who's with me in the United Cog-Nations of Steam punk?
