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Behind the scenes: Preparing for exhibitions

By Administrator | 13 July 2015

Our Collection Preservation staff have had a busy six months preparing some of our most valuable collections for exhibitions here at State Library and further afield.  First up, our conservators prepared more than 200 original collection items for the Distant Lines exhibition currently on show at SLQ. Each item was assessed and a condition report was prepared. Staff then mounted items so they could be safely displayed. This included lining showcase bases with archival fabric and customising furniture used for display. Once the exhibition is installed, the Collection Preservation team's work continues with environmental monitoring of the exhibition spaces. Staff set up machines to test temperature and humidity for the exhibition’s duration and conduct pH testing within the showcases to ensure that collections are protected. Distant Lines: Queensland voices of the First World War is on show at SLQ until 15 November. Entry is free.

Distant Lines preparations

Distant Lines preparations

As well as preparing items for display at SLQ, Collection Preservation staff have been preparing items for loan to exhibitions at other galleries. Frederick Elliott’s painting, The Departure of the SS Cornwall is currently on display at the Museum of Brisbane. You can see this work in the free exhibition The view from here: the photographic world of Alfred Elliott until 30 August.

Packing The Departure of the SS Cornwall

Packing The Departure of the SS Cornwall

The SLQ travelling exhibition, Grass Dukes and Shepherd Kingsopens at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery on 11 July. This exhibition features 117 items, including our treasured painting Homeward Laddie by Anthony Alder. The Arthur Hodgson Archive, John Watts necklace, John Watts Chair, plans, maps and photographs complement the exhibition, which focuses on pastoral life on the Darling Downs in the nineteenth century. It took staff two days to safely pack the exhibition into custom fitted crates. The exhibition runs until 5 October and entry is free.

Grass Dukes

Grass Dukes

Where to go:

Distant Lines: Queensland voices from the First World War at State Library of Queensland until 15 November: http://qanzac100.slq.qld.gov.au/events/distant-lines

The view from here: the photographic world of Alfred Elliott at Museum of Brisbane until 30 August: http://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/whats-on/the-view-from-here/

Grass Dukes and Shepherd Kings at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery until 5 October: /whats-on/calevents/general/exhibitions/travelling_exhibitions/grass-dukes-and-shepherd-kings-at-toowoomba-regional-art-gallery

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