The Southeast Asia Museum, a little-known treasure of the University, has re-opened in the University of Hull's Wilberforce building.
From decorative silver and brassware to puppets and masks – the museum has over 3,000 artefacts demonstrating the diversity of Southeast Asian cultures and everyday life in the region.
Chris Awre, Executive Director, Scholarly Services and University Librarian, said: "It is wonderful to be able to make this unique collection of artefacts from across SE Asia available again following extensive assessment of the materials. The collection offers a rich cultural resource that complements both the City's museum collections and the University's library and archival collections."
The museum is particularly strong in:
- costume and textiles (batiks and embroidered cloth, appliqué and beadwork)
- basketry and plaited ware
- decorative silver and brassware
- material culture related to livelihoods (hunting, fishing, agriculture and crafts, markets and food)
- weaponry (including keris)
- lacquerware
- musical instruments
- wooden sculptures associated with calendrical rituals, marriage and death
- puppets, masks, dolls, toys and games.
The museum has just received an award from the Humber Museums Partnership and there are exciting plans to apply for grants to use immersive technology to enhance the experience of visitors to the museum and to work with local communities on arts-based projects.
Dr Monica Janowski, Curator, said: "I am delighted to have taken on the role of curator of this wonderful gem of a museum and so pleased to have been able to open it once more."
The museum was founded in the University's Centre for South-East Asian Studies in 1968 by Professor Mervyn Jaspan as an ethnographic teaching aid to illustrate his undergraduate course in the sociology and anthropology of South-East Asia. For this purpose, he used objects and artefacts from his personal collection.
In 1970 the collection became The University of Hull Collection of South-East Asian Art and Traditional Craftsmanship. From the 1970s the collection grew rapidly with donations from staff, students and associates of the centre, bought in markets and retail outlets, acquired as gifts or made specifically for the donors.
A substantial financial donation to the centre from Dr Roy Bruton enabled the museum to be relocated in 2007 to a new first-floor gallery in the Wilberforce Building. It is now the Southeast Asia Museum at the University of Hull under the auspices of the Brynmor Jones Library.
The curator of the museum is Dr Monica Janowski. She is assisted by Professor Victor T. King as her deputy. Consultants for the museum include Professor Mike Hitchcock, together with Dr Fiona Kerlogue and Dr Andy West.
We welcome both students and members of the public as volunteers at the museum. Please get in touch with Monica (m.janowski@hull.ac.uk) if you are interested in volunteering.
The museum is on the first floor of the Wilberforce building, next to Zucchini's cafe. It is open to all every afternoon from 1pm-5pm.
Main image: Kamasan temple hanging from Bali. Credit: Sam Tudor.