Culture Perth and Kinross are thrilled to announce that an exhibition currently on display at Perth Museum and Art Gallery has been nominated for the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Keck Award.
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.’
Conservation in Action: Saving the Perth Mummy is an exhibition which 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. 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.
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.”
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 to encourage dialogue and engagement. 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.
This innovative approach to engaging the public with conservation has now been recognised by the International Institute for Conservation which has shortlisted the exhibition for this year’s Keck Awards.
JP Reid, Exhibitions & Interpretation Officer at Culture Perth and Kinross said:
“The exhibition’s aim was to create a space where visitors, could engage with a practice which so often, takes place ‘behind the scenes.’ 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.”
Culture Perth and Kinross is responsible for the care of the region’s Recognised Collection of National Significance, comprising over half a million objects housed at Perth Museum and Art Gallery. The project forms part of what is the museum Collection’s most significant conservation programme in its 236-year history as it prepares for the presentation of new exhibition spaces at the new museum located at Perth City Hall. Thousands of museum objects are being assessed, cleaned and conserved in preparation for display in the new venue.
Conservation in Action, the only UK representative in this years shortlist, will be vying against seven other international nominees including The Ghent Altarpiece Project, Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia and the Château de Germolles in France. The project has been delivered with the support of Perth and Kinross Council, Will Murray from the Scottish Conservation Studio, and Egyptology Conservators, Richard and Helena Jaeschke.
Visitors have until the 15 March 2021 to visit this award nominee exhibition at Perth Museum and Art Gallery however, Ta-Kr-Hb, the Perth Mummy, is extremely sensitive to environmental changes and so is temporarily not on display due to the need to provide increased ventilation in gallery spaces in response to Covid-19 Secure guidelines.
Conservators are monitoring the environment in the gallery and hope that Ta-Kr-Hb can once again be displayed in the Conservation Studio prior to the exhibition closing. In the meantime, a range of other conservation tasks and activities are being undertaken ensuring visitors can continue to gain fascinating insights into this highly specialist field of museum activity.
Speaking of the nomination Charles Kinnoull, Chair of Culture Perth and Kinross said:
“We have always been proud of the excellent work of our curatorial and conservation colleagues and are delighted to receive recognition for this work from such a prestigious institution as the International Institute for Conservation.”
The winner of the ICC Keck Award 2020 will be announced in Edinburgh at the ICC Congress, which takes place from the 2 – 6 November 2020.