Connecting Threads, Newstead House

Working with museum Communications & Programming Manager Jennifer Garcia, I helped the historic house museum in Brisbane secure grant funding to mount its first fashion and textiles exhibition. Over 18 months I conducted an extensive survey of the collection, documented over 300 objects, researched the provenance and significance of key garments, organised photography, curated and installed an on-site exhibition (including digital interpretation elements) and wrote an accompanying research catalogue.

The exhibition opened in June 2016, with accompanying publication launch. The project was nominated and named a finalist for an industry award in that year.

The Bride Wore White, Miegunyah House/Queensland Women’s Historical Society

I researched and wrote a catalogue based on the wedding fashion collection of the Queensland Women’s Historical Society at Miegunayh House. Serving as both exhibition assistant and the author of the catalogue, I investigated the collection, conducted research and wrote the catalogue text. This project expanded the museum’s knowledge about the collection and updated documentation of provenance and social context for key objects. The printed catalogue increased public awareness of the museum’s collection.

Woven and Printed Shawls, TNA Textiles Internship

My textile and design collection research skills were greatly enhanced by my intern experience with the Board of Trade Design Register at The National Archives (UK). I investigated woven and printed shawl designs of the nineteenth century, focusing on regional differences in registered designs and identifying key manufacturers from the archival records. I also produced external reports from this work, communicating collections knowledge to other curators.