An exhibition currently on display at Perth Museum and Art Gallery has been nominated for a prestigious award.
Conservation in Action: Saving the Perth Mummy has been shortlisted for the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Keck Award.
The exhibition explores how museums look after the objects in their care and how conservation treatment can save fragile or damaged objects for communities and visitors today, as well as for future generations.
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At the heart of the exhibition space is an enclosed conservation studio where visitors can observe at close hand the work of conservators as they care for some of the most fragile objects in the collections, including Egyptian mummy Ta-Kr-Hb.
Encouraging dialogue with visitors has been central to the project and in addition to in-person interaction, the gallery has included feedback points, comments sheets and an ‘Ask the Conservator’ blackboard.
Gallery interpretation around complex issues such as the ethics of conserving particular objects and the treatment and display of human remains have been explored through a series of open questions inviting response and discussion with the conservators whilst they work.
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Anna Zwagerman, conservation officer at Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “Conservation exhibitions are very rare, and live conservation treatments few and far between.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a conservator to be involved in developing an exhibition that not only shows conservation in action, but also focuses on conservation as a vital part of the museum profession, and I am glad that we are able to share this with our visitors.”
JP Reid, exhibitions and interpretation officer at Culture Perth and Kinross, added: “The exhibition’s aim was to create a space where visitors, could engage with a practice which so often, takes place ‘behind the scenes.’
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“There are so many complex issues under consideration when treating, caring for, or displaying museum collections and we want to encourage an open conversation with our visitors about this.
“We are really delighted that this project has been nominated and is being considered alongside such impressive international conservation programmes.”
Established in 1994, the Keck Award is one of the most prestigious international conservation awards, granted to organisations which have promoted public engagement and understanding of conservation, an activity which often takes place ‘behind closed doors.’
