Xantho Gallery: 2004 Revaluation

Author/s C. Green

Year of publication 2004

Report Number: 169

Introduction
My interest in the Maritime Museum developed from my involvement as a Cultural Heritage Student at Curtin University. Although art is my major I didn’t want to be restricted by it. My first work placement, as part of my Heritage Studies course, was undertaken at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. I enjoyed the experience immensely and was introduced to the many facets of the art world. These included conducting provenance research, documenting new acquisitions, witnessing the processes involved in constructing exhibitions as well as developing the Darbyshire ceramics exhibition. The experience led me into thinking, what to do next? It was from here, and my previous introduction to both the new and old Maritime Museums through a museum studies class, that I decided to broaden my horizons. The Old Maritime Museum seemed like the logical choice. Unlike the new Maritime Museum, a contemporary building consisting mainly of glass, the old Maritime Museum contained an aura that immediately drew my attention. It’s situated in a limestone building over a hundred years old and was constructed by convict labour. The old Maritime Museum has a history all of its own. Its displays capture the imagination of visitors without the need for high tech gadgets or fancy gimmicks. This inspired me to find out how this was done so I applied for an internship through Curtin University and was accepted.