The new director of UQ’s Anthropology Museum hopes the “hidden gem” under her care will become better known with researchers and the public alike.
A material and visual cultural specialist and graduate of University College London, Dr Diana Young is a social anthropologist who joined UQ in August after working at the Australian National University’s Research School for Humanities.
Located in the School of Social Science, the Anthropology Museum houses an important collection of around 26,000 items – the largest of its type in Australia. It celebrates the cultures and societies of Oceania, concentrating on Australian Aboriginal and Melanesian peoples’ works. There are also items from Polynesia and Micronesia and a collection from Northern Thailand.
Dr Young said she was looking forward to developing the profile of the museum and working with cultural custodians, traditional owners and staff and students at UQ.
“The museum has a fabulous collection that deserves to be better known at UQ, across Australia and internationally,” Dr Young said.
“Presently it’s a bit of a hidden gem. It’s also a fantastic research and teaching resource that can be used for doctoral and postdoctoral research projects based on things in the collection.”
Dr Young said her main priorities for the coming year were developing a new exhibition program to engage with wider audiences including students and staff at UQ. The launch exhibition will be called Double-up and will feature work by Pacific Islanders concentrating on the Papua New Guinea region. It will include pairs of sculptures – “body doubles” – such as shields, masks and tricksters, drawn from the collection.
Head of the School of Social Science, Professor Geoff Lawrence, said Dr Young was a dynamic young director with the ideal background to lead the museum.
“It is a very significant appointment, not just for the school, but also for the University,” Professor Lawrence said.
Dr Young’s doctoral and continuing research is in central Australia working with Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjata Aboriginal people on the APY Lands near Uluru. She has also worked in Tonga and New Zealand, and has published widely on colour and the senses, landscape, consumption and art.
The UQ Anthropology Museum was established in 1948 after lobbying from UQ staff, members of parliament and members of the general public. From this time onwards, the growth and development of the museum can be attributed to the support of UQ staff, students, alumni, researchers, Indigenous communities and the broader public.
The museum gallery is located on level two of the Michie Building, and is open free to members of the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during semester. Group tours at other times during the week can also be arranged. To find out more visit the museum's website.
Media: Melinda Kopanakis (07 3365 8820, m.kopanakis@uq.edu.au)
