Dr Joanne Gooding, AHRC Cultural Engagement Project

◦ 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…..