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Margaret Morris Collection – Phase 2
Why is this case study relevant?
This project is the second phase of a long term project to develop the Margaret Morris Collection. The phases have been carefully considered and co-ordinated to maximise the potential of the collection by good planning and forward thinking built into their long term aims for developing their collection.
What were the aims of the project?
There were several thread to this project:
1. To carry out conservation treatment on key items, with the aim of increasing their long-term care and accessibility.
2. To commission a conservation survey of the Margaret Morris oil paintings.
3. Using the Margaret Morris Collection to inspire a new interactive activity for use in the galleries, to highlight the collection and complement the art-based activities on offer in our Art Cart.
4. To develop staff knowledge and skills, specifically in the area of packing textiles.
What happened?
Following the recommendations from conservation reports obtained in Phase 1 of the project, specialist conservation was carried out on the dress worn by Margaret Morris in A Dance to Ragtime and the costume she created for The Goldfish dance (both dating from 1917). The work, which was done by The Scottish Conservation Studio (SCS), included cleaning and restoring the fabric, creating customised storage where necessary, and improving their structure and appearance. This greatly improved their long-term care and enabled them to be safely handled and displayed in forthcoming exhibitions. SCS also brought Margaret’s charming paper toy theatre back to life by cleaning, restructuring and creating new storage. Made by Margaret during her childhood, this will be displayed for the first time as the star of the show of an exhibition of her childhood years, which opens at the Fergusson Gallery in March 2012. This display will also include the second archival item conserved in this project; a poster of Margaret’s production of Puss in Boots, at her Chelsea theatre in 1922.
A survey of the 22 paintings by Margaret Morris was carried out by Egan, Matthews & Rose. Their report will be used to prioritise the work required in this part of the collection.
We commissioned Aberfeldy-based furniture designer and maker, Angus Ross to make a wooden toy theatre. His starting point was the drawings and designs by Margaret Morris, which inspired a striking theatre design with moveable dancing figures. For these he collaborated with Dr Jon Rogers at the Innovative Product Design Department of Dundee University to laser etch original Margaret Morris sketches directly into wood. With ingenious simplicity, magnets on their base allow the public to make them magically glide and twirl across the stage. There is also a selection of Margaret’s set designs to choose from, or you can create your own.
Training in packing and storing textiles saw collaboration between the Fergusson Gallery and the staff of the Black Watch Museum in Perth. The latter enthusiastically took up the offer of attending the training day held at the Fergusson Gallery, led by Tuula Pardoe of SCS.
What was learned?
Much was learned by Fergusson Gallery and Black Watch Museum staff regarding the storing and packing of textiles. Held on site, this was tailored to specific objects and problems which proved particularly useful.
This project is Phase 2 of a long-term project to improve and develop the Margaret Morris Collection. It holds many treasures and there are still improvements to make in collections care, potential for further staff development and much to offer by way of learning,
What is the wider relevance?
This project is a phase of a long term strategy for the Margaret Morris Collection, acquired by bequest. It has enabled the service to identify in-house funding and obtain match funding through MGS small grants to maximise the collection’s long term care and potential. The wider aims of the project are to increase accessibilty of this important collection, managing it using good practice and standards and developing it to enhance their existing and complementary Fergusson collection. By using the project to train staff in collections care and preventive conservation and by inviting another museum’s staff to take part, the service has increased the capacity and skills base in the sector and is an exemplary project to share. Please have a look at their linked case study onthis web site ‘The Amazing Margaret Morris’ which was Phase 1 of the project.
How was this project promoted?
The arrival of the interpretive toy theatre was promoted in March through local press. The newly-conserved objects will be highlighted in displays throughout 2012, again promoted in local press, as well as on our website.
What type of evaluation was done?
A short questionnaire on the textiles training day gave useful feedback and showed increase in knowledge, particularly:
• Packing a large garment in a storage box
• Packing more than one garment in a storage box
• Use of card as a support
• Packing several accessories in a storage box
A touch screen visitor questionnaire was in place in the galleries from 5 April to 7 July 2011 for feedback regarding the toy theatre. The theatre seems to have been welll received;
37% of visitors to the Fergusson Gallery used the toy theatre activity
69% rated their enjoyment of using it as 4 out of 5 or above
57% of visitors spent 5 minutes or less on the activity
22% spent between 5 and 10 minutes
21% spent more than 10 minutes
53% used it with others in their group, 14% used it with other visitors and 33% used it on their own. Following visitor suggestions four more backdrops are being added, plus the opportunity for the public to create and add their own backdrop and music is being investigated.
For Further Information
Jenny Kinnear, Art Officer, The Fergusson Gallery, Marshall Place, Perth, PH2 8NS.
Tel: 01738 783425 Email: jkinnear@pkc.gov.uk
Associated Images
Categories
Collections
Workforce Development
Learning
Access
Project Start
1st Apr 2010
Project End
1st Apr 2011
Published
25th May 2011
Who Led?
Perth & Kinross Council - The Fergusson Gallery
Who else took part?
The Scottish Conservation Studio; Angus Ross Furniture; The Black Watch Museum staff, Perth
Who Paid?
Perth & Kinorss Council and MGS
How Much?
Perth and Kinross Council £4,963.50 and MGS £4,963.50