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Case Studies from Australia and Asia Pacific 

Promoting Traditional Knowledge in Conservation: The Role of The Borobudur Conservation Office

The Borobudur Conservation Office (BCO) engages with various communities across Indonesia to explore traditional conservation methods based on plant-derived materials. BOC researchers embed traditional knowledge into its social and natural context by ethnographic methods. Resulting publications have inspired scientific research on plant-derived traditional materials. Findings have led to the production of biodegradable and conservation grade essential oil mixes used by both traditional custodians and conservation professionals.

Connecting objects, communities and cultural knowledge

Two-way knowledge sharing between community-run museums and conservation professionals enhances the interpretation and social/historical value of cultural material. The collaboration between conservation experts and the Returned and Services League LifeCare War Museum in Narrabeen and Islamic Museum of Australia in Melbourne is grounded within the contact zone theory framework.

For mutual benefit: cultural materials conservation and local government—a case study

The partnership between the Bathurst Regional Council and the Grimwade Centre at the University of Melbourne is presented as a model for community-based conservation. This partnership has been mutually beneficial for the regional community and the professional conservation community as the various projects presented a learning opportunity for emerging conservators while at the same time providing the community access to conservation expertise. Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for the conservation of First Nations cultural heritage

Collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia is grounded in the key document A Guide to applying The AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (2020). The code emphasizes the need to respect and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to be involved in any activity such as research and conservation that may have an impact on Indigenous communities. The code outlines the four principles which frame collaboration and partnership projects with Indigenous communities:

·       Indigenous self-determination

·       Indigenous leadership

·       Impact and value

·       Sustainability and accountability

The fourth principle of sustainability states the need for collaboration and partnership to address the present and future needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In determining these needs, the four pillars of sustainability are considered:

·       Environmental

·       Cultural

·       Social

·       Economically

Any research or conservation project needs to recognise the importance of the connection to land and water for Indigenous peoples’ identity and survival. Partnership and research activities should ideally contribute to this connection or at the least not harm it.

Other ethical considerations in working with Indigenous people are:

·       Data / knowledge collected during the project should be made available for use by Indigenous communities

·       Material should be returned to the community for archiving or safe keeping

·       Researchers are to be held accountable for the quality and impact of their research on communities

·       The relationship with the community must ideally be nurtured beyond the scope of the immediate projects and long-term benefits of the relationship must be considered

Case Studies from Australia

Boorun’s Canoe

An art project which involves the building and floating of a traditional bark canoe is chronicled. The conservator worked with the Aboriginal Elder and his family members from the beginning of the process through to the acquisition of the canoe by Museum Victoria and the relationship extended into the continued care of this heritage object. The project enabled the intergenerational transfer of cultural knowledge and demonstrated the positive outcomes of respectful and culturally sensitive collaboration with Indigenous communities.

Reconstructing the archive: Access, documentation, conservation

Two case studies based on research conducted by phenomenological methodology are presented. The artist-run archive of Warlayirti Artists’ Centre in Balgo and the performative works of the Australian artist Brook Andrew aim to disrupt the hegemony of text-based colonial archives to reclaim control of Indigenous subjectivities. Reconstruction is put forward as an ethical conservation approach in the preservation of such performative artworks and archives. Key to this approach is the artist interview tool which helps to incorporate the artist’s view of reconstruction to the conservation process.

Bark paintings conservation: Eucalyptus tetrodonta properties, bark harvesting and various mounting systems in the Northern Territory

A review of the evolution of the bark painting mounting methods that are developed and/or used by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is provided. The review references the traditional bark harvesting and preparation processes demonstrated by traditional owners. The aluminium mounting technique is recommended based on the traditional knowledge of the qualities of the bark.

The Significance of Continuity and Change: Understanding and Preserving Aboriginal Catholic Church Art in Wadeye

This case study highlights the broader challenges in conserving art held in remote Indigenous communities. Funding for the conservation of Indigenous artworks which are at risk of irreversible deterioration is very much dependent on these works fulfilling the primary and comparative criteria of the Significance 2.0 framework. The article discusses the limitations of this framework in the context of the Old Church Paintings by the Indigenous artist Nym Bunduck.