Andy Visser
7 June 2019: Working their way through more than 3,500 press gallery images that date back to the 1920s has been all consuming for nine University of Canberra Cultural Heritage and Conservation students.
The practicalities associated with sorting, cataloguing and archiving a collection are not easily taught in a theoretical unit. This practical, work-integrated learning opportunity to experience first-hand how to approach a collection of this scale is invaluable preparation for a career in cultural heritage and conservation.
The partnership between the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery (CMAG) and the University of Canberra has provided students studying cultural heritage and conservation at the Faculty of Arts and Design the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals.
“It has been wonderful to have CMAG staff spending time with the students discussing the photos and sharing their expertise,” said Dr Alison Wain, Assistant Professor and Discipline Lead of Cultural Heritage and Conservation at the Faculty of Arts and Design.
Ms Rowan Henderson, the Acting Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections at CMAG, spent a few days with the students. “It has been great to work with the students,” she said. “When CMAG acquired this enormous collection of photographs we knew that we didn’t have the resources to catalogue the collection in the detail required.”
“This is what has made the partnership with UC such a great success. The students have been incredibly diligent, working their way through more than half of the collection these past few weeks,” she said.
The second- and third-year students who enrolled for this special winter unit gained more insight and practical experience from this project than anticipated. From working out the details of each photograph mostly in handwritten text, to collating the photos against the parameters set by CMAG, scanning and filing each image made for an integrated learning experience.
For Ms Clare Kirk, a second-year heritage student who has always had a keen interest in art and the stories behind it, the experience was of enormous benefit to her studies and career aspirations.
“I have really enjoyed working on this project. The practical experience and especially the problem-solving component will equip me for a career in heritage and cultural conservation. While I am not creating art, I am organising it to be used in an appealing and creative way,” said Ms Kirk.
“It has been so good to work on this collection and see its relevance for today and the future.”
“Initially, I found it rather difficult to transcribe the handwriting and scanning each image slowed down the process, but these have all been good learning experiences,” she said.
Dr Wain reiterated the importance of understanding the intricacies of a heritage project and some of the intensive background work required to archive a collection of this prominence.
“It was helpful to continue straight into this unit at the end of the semester as many students found it easier for consolidating their studies before their winter break or the start of winter semester,” she said.
“One of the things that I found interesting was the concept of the history captured in each photo and knowing that some of these people may still be living here in Canberra,” said Ms Amy Campbell, a Digital Media student.
“I found the project very interesting and I have a fresh perspective and new appreciation for heritage and culture. Regardless of anything else it is so valuable to know that this historical treasure chest of images will be preserved.
“One image that really touched me was that of a young girl captured in a moment in time while enjoying a ride on the carousel that is still found in Civic today. What caught my attention was how beautiful the little girl was and her radiant smile.
“One evening, I mentioned the photo to my mum and wondered if it would be possible to find her. Coincidentally, my mum happens to work with someone with the same surname, who had a sister who could be around the same age of the little girl,” she said.
Looking into it a bit deeper, Ms Campbell discovered that it was in fact her mum’s colleague’s sister.
“It was so special. Her mum and dad were so excited to see this beautiful photo of their little girl, who is now in her 40s,” she said.
Many other stories are likely to be discovered as CMAG is planning various exhibitions and interactive methods to ‘crowd source’ the stories attached to the photos from this collection.
“The stories are tremendous and the opportunity for people to identify family and friends is great. We are planning to host an exhibit next year to encourage people to comment on the photos and provide their stories, which will help in retelling the history of Canberra,” said Ms Henderson.
