Post on 24-Jan-2023
◦ Middlesbrough Council cutbacks◦ Museum’s relationship with collector/expert Harry Lyons through previous exhibitions
◦ Dresser’s connection with the area.◦ Heritage Lottery Funded (+ others) object purchase and redisplay – as discussed by Gill Moore.
◦ Research materials produced by Harry Lyons during his career.
◦ AHRC Cultural Engagement Project– pilot programme for 3 months. February to May 2013
◦ Dr Jo Gooding [MA V&A/RCA] Northumbria University researcher. Doctoral thesis on the development of Design History, importance of networks and different communities in writing histories of design. (e.g. academics, designers, museums, dealers, collectors, experts etc.)
◦ 1999 Exhibition: Dresser: People's Designer, New Century Antiques
◦ 2004 Exhibition: Christopher Dresser : A Design Revolution V&A Cooper-Hewitt
◦ 2004-5 Exhibition: Christopher Dresser : Centenary Exhibition , Dorman Museum
◦ 2005 Book: Christopher Dresser the People’s Designer
◦ 2007 Exhibition: Into Africa – Dorman Museum
Outcomes:◦ Survey of Resources: Objects, Books & Research files◦ Oral History Interview: Recording & Transcription◦ Awareness & Engagement: extending academic and museum networks
Future plans:◦ Written outputs: article in preparation for Archives, Collections and Curatorship section of Journal of Design History. Jo Gooding and Elizabeth Kramer.
◦ Gallery redisplay research team – expert volunteers◦ Production of guidebook/brochure – to coincide with gallery opening
198 objects, supplement the 1060-item Linthorpe collection
Metalware; Furniture; Ceramics; Glass; Wallpaper and textiles; other miscellaneous items
Hukin and Heath Cruet
1878
Thomas Knight c.1884
Wedgwood Fish vase c.1866.
Clutha Vase, c.1888-92
Library: Books, Journals, Exhibition Catalogues and pamphlets.◦ 216 items ◦ 90 primary sources ◦ Include: exhibition catalogues, trade journals
Research resources: Papers and Photographs◦ Notes arranged by topic◦ Primary newspaper articles◦ Photographic research images
Audio recordings; summary of conversation and full transcripts
Reputation of Dresser Role of museums, experts, academics Debates over attributions Future plans
Christopher Dresser:◦ Research on a variety of topics; consumption, interpretation, Japonisme, textiles and wallpapers.
◦ Variety of approaches: New histories of design. New local histories. Linthorpe:
◦ identify other designs in the collection◦ update publications on Linthorpe taking into account current scholarship.
Contemporary Design:◦ Valuable sources
Museology and Historiography: ◦ Collection care. Conservation. Archive skills.◦ How histories have been written. Role of collectors, curators, academics.
◦ Other ideas……..
Gallery Redisplay Conservation – Objects and Paper Resources Dresser Research Volunteer group
New publications. Digitisation project?
Potential Study Centre? ◦ Staffing◦ Resources: Space / Access / Funding / Conservation costs
Role of the “Dresser Society” - building networks with all interested parties…..