Michael Linton's Bayeux Tapestry: 1066 - A Medieval Mosaic and Puzzles

The medieval mosaic returned home to Geraldine at the end of October 2005 after completing a successful 4 month exhibition at Science Alive in Christchurch. The Mosaic is open to the public 9 till 5 week days and 10 till 4 at the weekends. Michael is on hand most days to explain about the mosaic and its history.

Michael Linton and his daughter, Rachael, are reflected in their mural of the Bayeux tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. The mural, which is on display at Science Alive, in Christchurch, took Michael Linton 25 years to make using nearly two million pieces of metal, each measuring 2mm by 3mm, which he then hand-painted. Rachael Linton helped research the history of the period.

This was the first time the Mosaic was displayed to the public end-to-end. Taking up over 42 metres of wall space this was the first exhibition to be held in the newly constructed gallery at the Science Alive venue. To complement the display a number of Michael's puzzles were constructed for the public to play with, as well as computer displays of the CD-Rom of the mosaic and some of the puzzles. A teachers resource kit was made available and other programs relating to the medieval era were run in conjunction with the display.

A medieval-style mosaic featuring Bayeux Tapestry images — including its missing pieces — is on display at Science Alive.

What does the tiny South Canterbury town of Geraldine have in common with a famous French town? Both are home to a major tourist attraction — the Bayeux Tapestry. The original tapestry, in France, depicts in wool on a strip of linen 231 feet long by 19 inches wide, more than 70 scenes of the 1066 Norman Conquest of England. In Geraldine, behind the 'Giant Jersey' shop (of Guinness Book of Records fame), artist Michael Linton, and daughter Rachael, have recreated the tapestry as a stunning metal mosaic, using approximately 2,000,000-minute pieces of spring steel.