Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2006-07

initiatives and services / QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 06–07 37 Conservation Research Ongoing Collection research included the first stage of a project to develop strategies to document colour changes in semitransparent resins and dayglow fluorescent pigments of art works. Michel Tuffery's Povi tau vaga (The challenge) 1999, a work from the Gallery's 'Third Asia–Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (1999), was comprehensively documented by Eva Antonsen, a Danish intern with the Gallery's Centre for Contemporary Art Conservation (CCAC). During the year, CCAC prepared to co-host the AICCM National Conference, Contemporary Collections, from 17 to 19 October 2007. Gallery Conservators are preparing two sessions for the conference — a poster presentation focusing on the mounting and framing of the photographs from the 'Assembly hall series no. 6' by Chinese artist Mu Chen and Shao Yinong, and a paper on the documentation strategies developed for the large and complex installation of APT5 and Collection works in the opening of the two-site institution. Conservation staff continued to share their expertise with the industry — conservators travelled to regional venues to assess the condition of collections on tour, and provided conservation advice to colleagues working in regional galleries. Behind the scenes tours, presentations for the Friends of the Gallery, and external lectures for university and other groups, also continued during the reporting year. Research and Professional Development Several Gallery staff travelled internationally during the year to undertake research related to Collection and exhibition development. Amanda Pagliarino, Acting Head of Conservation, travelled to China to perform condition assessments on 20 Asian objects on loan to the Gallery from the Shanghai Museum, to ensure the objects were appropriately packed, sealed and submitted to customs according to international museum best-practice guidelines. Suhanya Raffel, Head of Asian, Pacific and International Art, travelled to the United States in March 2007 to meet with the Director of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh to finalise loan arrangements for the forthcoming 'Andy Warhol' exhibition. She also met with staff of the Arthur M Sackler and Freer Gallery of Art (part of Washington DC's Smithsonian Institution) to consolidate the Gallery's ongoing art exchange program, and attended Asia Week in New York. Kathryn Weir, Head of Cinema, attended the 63rd International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) Congress in Tokyo, in order to develop professional networks with colleagues from international film archives for the Gallery's Cinémathèque programs. Both Kathryn Weir and Bruce McLean, Associate Curator, Indigenous Australian Art, also attended the 2007 Venice Biennale; Art 38 Basel 2007, the international contemporary art fair; and Documenta 12, the international exhibition of contemporary visual culture held in Germany every five years. Bruce and Kathryn were both selected for the Australia Council's curatorial professional development program at the 2007 Venice Biennale. Initiatives and Services The Queensland Art Gallery is committed to fostering research into its Collection. By supporting both Collection and program development, the Research Library undertakes a key role in these research activities. Research outcomes are made accessible to visitors and audiences through publications, websites, room bro- chures, wall texts, information panels, children's activity books and video documentation, as well as floortalks, lectures and the presen- tation of papers. The Research Library moved to larger premises on the third level of GoMA in March 2007. In its new location, the Research Library now offers expanded facilities for Gallery staff and researchers, and enhanced access to its Asian and Pacific resources, in association with the Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA). Mu Chen China b.1970 Shao Yinong China b.1961 Gutian (from 'Assembly hall series no. 6') 2006 Type C photograph, ed. 1/3 182 x 244cm The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art. Purchased 2006 with funds from Michael Simcha Baevski through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation