COMMUNITY Projects Publications Member Events Members MEMBER EVENTS Member events are specially organized by Art Bio Matters member and volunteers. They are intended to strengthen connections between members and help them find new colleagues to discuss research questions and concerns. Depending on the format, members will present current research projects, share open questions, and lead exchanges of information where the main goal is to improve the ways in which we understand biological materials in material heritage culture. ​ The following are members-only events. Registration links will be sent directly to ABM members through Slack and Email. SEMINAR SERIES Join us for monthly informal presentations on topics in biological material studies integrating science with conservation, history, culture, and/or other human sciences. Seminars take place every third Thursday and feature a 20-minute presentation by the speaker(s), followed by lively discussion with ABM community members. This platform allows you to share your area of interest, ongoing project, or seek collaboration outside your field. Submissions are reviewed continuously. Can't attend live? Recordings are available for one month to ABM members. Traditional Fish Leather Dyeing Methods with Indigenous Arctic Plants To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Elisa Palomino, Research Associate at the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Arctic seamstresses, skilled in biochemistry and climatology have long used fish skin for clothing, often decorated with a rich colour palette of natural dyes provided by nature, processed from minerals and plant-based dyes gathered from riverbanks. This presentation examines how an international team tested traditional dyeing techniques on fish skin using flora from Sweden, Iceland, and Japan based on historical literature and verbal advice from local experts. The research supports eco-friendly, plant-based dyeing alternatives to chemical processes, promoting traditional craftsmanship. The project integrates historical practices with contemporary fashion, fostering innovation and sustainability in fish leather production and material design. Thursday, September 26, 2024 11:00 am ET Learn more ROUND TABLE Q&A round tables offer a unique opportunity to tap into the expertise within our diverse community. A small group of ABM members will each share current or on-going questions related to the biological materials of an object(s) in a brief (5-minute) description or presentation. This is followed by dynamic discussions with attendees, fostering knowledge exchange, brain storming, and opportunities for collaboration. ABM March 2024 Round Table To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Thainá Vígio Pamela Hatchfield Michael Galardi Thainá Vígio is seeking other fungicide methods other than freezing and anoxia treatment for 19th c. silk textiles. Pamela Hatchfield will discuss an outdoor Chinese sandstone sculpture compromised by a myriad of microbiological growth, and how to evaluate the risk of further damage from these species. Micheal Galardi (on behalf of Celeste Mahoney) will discuss light spots uncovered on a Huastec sandstone relief and wonders about the possibility of biological growth as a factor. Thursday, March 21, 2024 11:00 am ET ABM MEMBER CONVERSATIONS These informal conversations will explore the cross-disciplinary collaboration and research opportunities that define ABM. They aim to enhance our understanding of the diverse roles held by ABM members, spur collaborations, try out ideas, and explore new areas of study. Each conversation features two members, each from a different specialty (e.g., a curator and a scientist), who have not collaborated but have overlapping but not identical research interests. They will engage in a conversation based on three questions for each other, followed by audience discussion and questions. ABM Member Conversations - June 2024 To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Ruth Ann Armitage & Laurence Douny In this inaugural conversation event, Ruth Ann and Laurence will exchange thoughts from different field perspectives (chemistry and anthropology) on the scientific analysis of wild silks. Friday, June 28th, 2024 11:00 am ET OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE ABM members get to participate in a variety of ways. Don't miss your chance to network! Why join the Art Bio Matters community? Members of the ABM community enjoy many benefits, regardless of their area of interest. Our website and Slack workspace have something for everyone: Communicate through the ABM Slack workspace Connect with colleagues, discuss research questions, and network in the ABM Slack community. Visit our Join the Community tab for more information. Join the Community Participate in an ABM meeting ABM has biennial conferences sharing ongoing research through a dynamic forum of exchange. Visit the ABM Meetings tab for more information. ABM Meetings Build the ABM website We need you to develop new content for the ABM website. Please email info@artbiomatters.org or message in Slack if you are interested to do any of the following: Share a project Provide a link to your publications, projects, or Opportunities to share with potential partners. Educate and reach out Provide a link to a case study or video that applies to our Materials, Instrumentation, Ethics, and Sampling pages. Anchor 1 Why join the Art Bio Matters community? ​ Members of the ABM community enjoy many benefits, regardless of their area of interest. Our website and Slack workspace have something for everyone: Access ABM 2018, 2021, and 2023 conference recordings and background materials. Join us and become a part of the ABM c ommunity

MEMBERS Organizer Participant Presenter Steering Committee Student Assistant Reset Filters 2018 2021 2023 Filter by surname A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T V W Y Member Information Laura Allen Participant 2021 Member Information Cecil Krarup Andersen Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Lauren Audi Participant 2023, Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Daniella Berman Participant 2023 Member Information Kyna Biggs Participant 2023 Member Information Lisa Bruno Participant 2021 Member Information Anthony Caragiulo Participant 2021 Member Information Oi Yan Michelle Chan Team Presenter 2023 Member Information Tami Lasseter Clare Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Timothy Cleland Speaker 2018 Member Information Ashley Coutu Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Elke Cwiertnia Participant 2021 Member Information Adam Di Battista Participant 2023 Member Information Laurence Douny Steering Committee 2023 Member Information Jean Evans Participant 2018 Member Information Cecilia Flocco Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Beate Fuecker Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Niv Allon Participant 2021 Member Information Ruth Ann Armitage Participant 2023 Member Information Lyudmyla Babadzhanova Participant 2023 Member Information Barbara Berrie Steering Committee 2018 Member Information Ilaria Bonaduce Participant 2018, 2021 Member Information Nylah Byrd Community Coordinator 2023 Member Information Ellen Carrlee Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Yueh-Ting Chiu Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Lauren Clark Participant 2023 Member Information Matthew Collins Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Annamaria Cucina Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Lauren Dalecky Team Presenter 2023 Member Information Sofie Dierickx Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Kate Duffy Participant 2021 Member Information Sarah Fiddyment Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Manu Frederickx Participant 2021 Member Information Hitomi Fujii Participant 2023 Member Information Alba Alvarez Participant 2021 Member Information Julie Arslanoglu Co-organizer 2018-2023 Member Information Beatrice Behlen Team Presenter 2023 Member Information Aniko Bezur Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Caroline Bouvier Participant 2021 Member Information Sheila Canby Participant 2018 Member Information Laura Cartechini Speaker 2018 Member Information Sue Ann Chui Steering Committee 2018 Member Information Elizabeth Cleland Participant 2021 Member Information Laura Courto Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Matt Cushman Participant 2018 Member Information Jan Dekker Poster Presenter 2021 Member Information Patrick Dietemann Team Presenter 2021 Member Information Margaret Holben Ellis Co-organizer 2018, 2021 Member Information Eugenia Geddes Da Filicaia Participant 2021 Member Information Jessica French ​ Member Information Susan Gagliardi Poster Presenter 2021 First Prev 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4 Next Last

Elisa Palomino Research Associate, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. Previous Next All members Washington D.C., DC, USA MEMBER INFORMATION Seminar Series Presenter 2024 Working at the intersection of anthropology, education, and sustainable fashion, I research on Indigenous knowledge, participatory design, and heritage. I hold a PhD from the London College of Fashion with a thesis on ‘Indigenous Arctic Fish Skin Heritage’. For a decade I was Fashion Print Pathway Leader at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. I have received fellowships from Fulbright, Kluge Library of Congress, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz Max Planck Institute, Koç University ANAMED and Fondazione Cini. I am currently a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. ​ ​ ⚠️ Member pages are undergoing improvements! Some features may not work today. Thank you for your patience!

OPPORTUNITIES Events Fellowships Funding Internships Jobs Studentships Mentorship Workshops + Courses Categories COMING UP These events are coming up soon! If you have an event to post, please email info@artbiomatters.org . No events or deadlines coming up now. Check again later! PAST EVENTS These events have already passed. If you like what you see, don't miss upcoming events! 36th CIHA World Congress - Lyon 2024 Details The 36th CIHA Congress is organized under the aegis of the Comité français d'histoire de l'art (CFHA) in partnership between the CFHA, the Institut national d'histoire de l'art (INHA), the Université Lumière Lyon 2 and the Laboratoire de recherche historique Rhône-Alpes (LARHRA CNRS UMR 5190). The main aims of this internationally-renowned scientific and cultural event are to share and disseminate research by bringing together communities of art history and heritage around a unifying theme. AMNH Techniques Tuesday Details Lindsey Paskulin is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia and lab manager of the ADaPT Archaeological Laboratory that is a dedicated space for ancient DNA and paleoproteomic analysis. Her talk will provide background on collagen mass fingerprinting and shotgun proteomics techniques as well as discuss her research focused on applying proteomic techniques to vessel interiors and vessel residues to reconstruct elements of food processing, preparation, and consumption in the past. Please see ABM members' Slack for Zoom link. Reimagining Materiality: Artistic Interventions and Sustainable Innovations in algae-based polymers Details Jessica French May 17th, 2024 6:30 PM ET In this seminar, French delves into her pioneering work with algae-based polymers, a cornerstone of her artistic practice. Through 'Other Matter', her experimental design studio, French champions sustainability with innovative outcomes for algae-based bioplastics, impacting beyond the cultural sector. The talk will offer an overview of her artistic journey, showcasing how traditional techniques are transformed by groundbreaking sustainable materials, including her innovative non-petrochemical decal signage—Other Matter Decals™. These exemplify the practical implementation of closed-loop, zero-waste systems. The discussion not only highlights French’s unique blend of research and creative experimentation but also fosters a broader conversation on the role of sustainable practices in transforming artistic production and environmental responsibility. Additionally, the seminar will address ongoing research questions and spotlight knowledge and data gaps inherent in working with unconventional materials, underscoring the critical need for continued investigation and collaboration in this evolving field. Identification of a lichen dye source in a fifteenth century medieval tapestry Details Rachel Lackner Apr 18th, 2024 11:00 AM ET As part of a long-term campaign to clean, conserve, and treat the Heroes tapestries from The Cloisters collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, organic colorant analysis of Julius Caesar (accession number 47.101.3) was performed. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of several dark brown samples revealed the presence of several molecules produced only by certain species of lichen. Various lichen dye sources have been documented in the literature for centuries and are classified as either ammonia fermentation method (AFM) or boiling water method (BWM) dyes based on their method of production. However, none of these known sources produce the distinctive metabolites present in the tapestry. Lichen metabolites were definitively identified in the tapestry by LC-MS based on comparison with a reference of Lecanora sulphurata. This finding marks the first time that these lichen metabolites have been identified in a historic object, and the first evidence that BWM lichen dyes may have been used prior to the eighteenth century. This is a members-only event. Registration links will be sent directly to ABM members. ABM March Round Table Details ABM members share their current research projects and challenges to spark conversation and connect with relevant colleagues: Thainá Vígio is seeking other fungicide methods other than freezing and anoxia treatment for 19th c. silk textiles. Pamela Hatchfield will discuss an outdoor Chinese sandstone sculpture compromised by a myriad of microbiological growth, and how to evaluate the risk of further damage from these species. Micheal Galardi (Celeste Mahoney) will discuss light spots uncovered on a Huastec sandstone relief and wonders about the possibility of biological growth as a factor. This is a members-only event. Registration links will be sent directly to ABM members. 2024 Edition: 'New Perspectives in the Study of Medieval Manuscripts' Details Inaugural Seminar. Jiří Vnouček Conservator of parchment, paper & bookbinding The Royal Library, Copenhagen Changes in production of parchment during one millennium: 4th to 14th centuries Facultad de Geografía e Historia, Sala de Grados 2 de febrero de 2024 · 16:00h The seminar will take place in a hybrid format and is open to the general public. To register, please send an email to ainoacastro@usal.es The cause of much chagrin: using marine shagreen for the marine historical ecology of elasmobranchs Details Rachel Winter December 14th, 2023 11 AM ET / 4 PM GMT Marine shagreen is a luxurious, storied leather made from the skins of elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates). Demand for marine shagreen peaked between the 17th-19th centuries in northwestern Europe. Once elasmobranch skins have been turned into shagreen, more precise taxonomic identification than shark or ray is not possible. Preliminary review of historical sources indicates at least 17 species, spanning the Atlantic Ocean to the Indo-Pacific, were targeted. One third of all elasmobranch species are classified as being threatened with extinction by the IUCN. A key challenge to conservation efforts is the lack of historical data, long term perspectives, and ecological baselines. This talk will discuss some of the potential avenues and challenges for studying marine shagreen museum objects for insights into which species and seas were targeted. Exploring how shagreen can be used to investigate the ecological consequences of historic elasmobranch fisheries and investigate past species biogeography. Animal mummy genomics: success, failure and collaborative interpretation Details Evon Hekkala Fordham University and American Museum of Natural History November 14th, 2023 11 AM ET / 4 PM GMT Silk and Science: Collaborative research into a knitted waistcoat associated with Charles I Details Jane Malcolm-Davies (Project Leader, Knitting in Early Modern Europe), Beatrice Behlen (Senior Curator, Fashion and Decorative Arts, Museum of London), and Paula Nabais (Junior Researcher at LAQV-REQUIMTE Research unit) May 18th, 2023 11AM EDT/3PM GMT Since 1924, the Museum of London has had an undergarment, knitted of fine silk, said to have been worn by King Charles I at his execution in 1649. Several attempts have been made to analyse stains on the front of what would then have been called a waistcoat, and to fill gaps in its provenance. A new research project has brought together a curator, a knitting historian, a conservator, scientists, and expert craftspeople, including knitters. Different methods have been used to broaden knowledge of this rare garment: detailed object examination and description, comparison with other extant garments, radiocarbon dating, various dye analysis techniques, and silk sample knitting. In this talk, the challenges and advantages of this work will be discussed: from discoveries that can be made by looking at objects together to the difficulties of grappling with science for those unfamiliar with laboratory techniques. Click "Explore" below to learn more about the project! Compound Specific Radiocarbon (14C) Dating of Our Colorful Past: from Theory to Practice Details Laura Hendriks, Branco Weiss Fellow at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR), Switzerland April 20th, 2023 11AM EDT/3PM GMT Join us for a 20-minute presentation by ABM member Laura Hendriks, Branco Weiss Fellow at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR), Switzerland. Laura’s presentation will be followed by a discussion/Q&A with current ABM members. For more information, click “Explore” below to view her abstract. “Non-invasive” techniques: X-ray tomography of Congolese Wooden objects Details Sofie Dierickx, Research Assistant at Royal Museum for Central Africa March 16th, 2023 11AM EST/3PM GMT In an effort to research the wealth of tropical wood species present in the Congolese art collection, the conservation team of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium set up the TOCOWO project (Tomography of Congolese Wooden Objects). In collaboration with the University of Ghent, X-ray micro-computer tomography could be used on the objects to obtain wood identifications non-destructively. Over the past two years, over a hundred objects have been scanned at very high resolutions. These scans provide an unprecedented insight into the objects in our care, helping us better understand their material and history. On the other hand, this unrestricted insight into every inch of the objects demands we ask ourselves whether possible privileged or sacred knowledge, kept hidden by the objects all these years, is really ours to uncover. In this short talk, both the possibilities and challenges of scanning African heritage objects will be illustrated by the uniquely large dataset of their 3D renderings. Characterization of an unusual coating on Egyptian funerary portraits Details Dan Kirby, Conservation Scientist, MFA, Boston and Private Practice January 19th, 2023 11AM EST/4PM GMT An unusual, never before seen coating on 1st – 3rd CE Romano-Egyptian funerary portraits has been characterized by Peptide Mass Fingerprinting and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, as well as other techniques. Radiocarbon dating of the coating from two of the portraits indicated that the coating is approximately 2,000 years old--it is not a modern conservation intervention! Most interesting, however, is not discovering what the coating is, but trying to discover why it is there. This talk will briefly introduce the materials and practices of funerary portraits, summarize the examination and analytical characterization of this unusual coating, and offer speculation as to its original purpose.

OPPORTUNITIES Events Fellowships Funding Internships Jobs Studentships Mentorship Workshops + Courses Categories COMING UP These events are coming up soon! If you have an event to post, please email info@artbiomatters.org . No events or deadlines coming up now. Check again later! ECBSM2024 - 6th European Conference on Biodeterioration of Stone Monuments A great opportunity to gather researchers, heritage professionals, industry experts, teachers, and students working for the conservation of historic and culturally relevant objects and buildings. Abstracts due by September 9, 2024 Registration deadline: September 18, 2024 Milan, Italy on 7-8 November 2024 Details Symposium—Chia Oil in 18th Century Mexican Lacquerware and Paintings Gain insight into the art of Mexico with a live demonstration by celebrated artisans from Michoacan, Mexico and presentations from Met scholars and multidisciplinary experts. Join us to explore the scientific, historical, and cultural implications of the use of chia oil in colonial Mexican artworks and hear about exciting advancements in the study of this versatile plant material. This program is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mex-Am Cultural Foundation Inc. Details PAST EVENTS These events have already passed. If you like what you see, don't miss upcoming events! 36th CIHA World Congress - Lyon 2024 Details The 36th CIHA Congress is organized under the aegis of the Comité français d'histoire de l'art (CFHA) in partnership between the CFHA, the Institut national d'histoire de l'art (INHA), the Université Lumière Lyon 2 and the Laboratoire de recherche historique Rhône-Alpes (LARHRA CNRS UMR 5190). The main aims of this internationally-renowned scientific and cultural event are to share and disseminate research by bringing together communities of art history and heritage around a unifying theme. AMNH Techniques Tuesday Details Lindsey Paskulin is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia and lab manager of the ADaPT Archaeological Laboratory that is a dedicated space for ancient DNA and paleoproteomic analysis. Her talk will provide background on collagen mass fingerprinting and shotgun proteomics techniques as well as discuss her research focused on applying proteomic techniques to vessel interiors and vessel residues to reconstruct elements of food processing, preparation, and consumption in the past. Please see ABM members' Slack for Zoom link. Reimagining Materiality: Artistic Interventions and Sustainable Innovations in algae-based polymers Details Jessica French May 17th, 2024 6:30 PM ET In this seminar, French delves into her pioneering work with algae-based polymers, a cornerstone of her artistic practice. Through 'Other Matter', her experimental design studio, French champions sustainability with innovative outcomes for algae-based bioplastics, impacting beyond the cultural sector. The talk will offer an overview of her artistic journey, showcasing how traditional techniques are transformed by groundbreaking sustainable materials, including her innovative non-petrochemical decal signage—Other Matter Decals™. These exemplify the practical implementation of closed-loop, zero-waste systems. The discussion not only highlights French’s unique blend of research and creative experimentation but also fosters a broader conversation on the role of sustainable practices in transforming artistic production and environmental responsibility. Additionally, the seminar will address ongoing research questions and spotlight knowledge and data gaps inherent in working with unconventional materials, underscoring the critical need for continued investigation and collaboration in this evolving field. Identification of a lichen dye source in a fifteenth century medieval tapestry Details Rachel Lackner Apr 18th, 2024 11:00 AM ET As part of a long-term campaign to clean, conserve, and treat the Heroes tapestries from The Cloisters collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, organic colorant analysis of Julius Caesar (accession number 47.101.3) was performed. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of several dark brown samples revealed the presence of several molecules produced only by certain species of lichen. Various lichen dye sources have been documented in the literature for centuries and are classified as either ammonia fermentation method (AFM) or boiling water method (BWM) dyes based on their method of production. However, none of these known sources produce the distinctive metabolites present in the tapestry. Lichen metabolites were definitively identified in the tapestry by LC-MS based on comparison with a reference of Lecanora sulphurata. This finding marks the first time that these lichen metabolites have been identified in a historic object, and the first evidence that BWM lichen dyes may have been used prior to the eighteenth century. This is a members-only event. Registration links will be sent directly to ABM members. ABM March Round Table Details ABM members share their current research projects and challenges to spark conversation and connect with relevant colleagues: Thainá Vígio is seeking other fungicide methods other than freezing and anoxia treatment for 19th c. silk textiles. Pamela Hatchfield will discuss an outdoor Chinese sandstone sculpture compromised by a myriad of microbiological growth, and how to evaluate the risk of further damage from these species. Micheal Galardi (Celeste Mahoney) will discuss light spots uncovered on a Huastec sandstone relief and wonders about the possibility of biological growth as a factor. This is a members-only event. Registration links will be sent directly to ABM members. 2024 Edition: 'New Perspectives in the Study of Medieval Manuscripts' Details Inaugural Seminar. Jiří Vnouček Conservator of parchment, paper & bookbinding The Royal Library, Copenhagen Changes in production of parchment during one millennium: 4th to 14th centuries Facultad de Geografía e Historia, Sala de Grados 2 de febrero de 2024 · 16:00h The seminar will take place in a hybrid format and is open to the general public. To register, please send an email to ainoacastro@usal.es The cause of much chagrin: using marine shagreen for the marine historical ecology of elasmobranchs Details Rachel Winter December 14th, 2023 11 AM ET / 4 PM GMT Marine shagreen is a luxurious, storied leather made from the skins of elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates). Demand for marine shagreen peaked between the 17th-19th centuries in northwestern Europe. Once elasmobranch skins have been turned into shagreen, more precise taxonomic identification than shark or ray is not possible. Preliminary review of historical sources indicates at least 17 species, spanning the Atlantic Ocean to the Indo-Pacific, were targeted. One third of all elasmobranch species are classified as being threatened with extinction by the IUCN. A key challenge to conservation efforts is the lack of historical data, long term perspectives, and ecological baselines. This talk will discuss some of the potential avenues and challenges for studying marine shagreen museum objects for insights into which species and seas were targeted. Exploring how shagreen can be used to investigate the ecological consequences of historic elasmobranch fisheries and investigate past species biogeography. Animal mummy genomics: success, failure and collaborative interpretation Details Evon Hekkala Fordham University and American Museum of Natural History November 14th, 2023 11 AM ET / 4 PM GMT Silk and Science: Collaborative research into a knitted waistcoat associated with Charles I Details Jane Malcolm-Davies (Project Leader, Knitting in Early Modern Europe), Beatrice Behlen (Senior Curator, Fashion and Decorative Arts, Museum of London), and Paula Nabais (Junior Researcher at LAQV-REQUIMTE Research unit) May 18th, 2023 11AM EDT/3PM GMT Since 1924, the Museum of London has had an undergarment, knitted of fine silk, said to have been worn by King Charles I at his execution in 1649. Several attempts have been made to analyse stains on the front of what would then have been called a waistcoat, and to fill gaps in its provenance. A new research project has brought together a curator, a knitting historian, a conservator, scientists, and expert craftspeople, including knitters. Different methods have been used to broaden knowledge of this rare garment: detailed object examination and description, comparison with other extant garments, radiocarbon dating, various dye analysis techniques, and silk sample knitting. In this talk, the challenges and advantages of this work will be discussed: from discoveries that can be made by looking at objects together to the difficulties of grappling with science for those unfamiliar with laboratory techniques. Click "Explore" below to learn more about the project! Compound Specific Radiocarbon (14C) Dating of Our Colorful Past: from Theory to Practice Details Laura Hendriks, Branco Weiss Fellow at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR), Switzerland April 20th, 2023 11AM EDT/3PM GMT Join us for a 20-minute presentation by ABM member Laura Hendriks, Branco Weiss Fellow at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR), Switzerland. Laura’s presentation will be followed by a discussion/Q&A with current ABM members. For more information, click “Explore” below to view her abstract. “Non-invasive” techniques: X-ray tomography of Congolese Wooden objects Details Sofie Dierickx, Research Assistant at Royal Museum for Central Africa March 16th, 2023 11AM EST/3PM GMT In an effort to research the wealth of tropical wood species present in the Congolese art collection, the conservation team of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium set up the TOCOWO project (Tomography of Congolese Wooden Objects). In collaboration with the University of Ghent, X-ray micro-computer tomography could be used on the objects to obtain wood identifications non-destructively. Over the past two years, over a hundred objects have been scanned at very high resolutions. These scans provide an unprecedented insight into the objects in our care, helping us better understand their material and history. On the other hand, this unrestricted insight into every inch of the objects demands we ask ourselves whether possible privileged or sacred knowledge, kept hidden by the objects all these years, is really ours to uncover. In this short talk, both the possibilities and challenges of scanning African heritage objects will be illustrated by the uniquely large dataset of their 3D renderings. Characterization of an unusual coating on Egyptian funerary portraits Details Dan Kirby, Conservation Scientist, MFA, Boston and Private Practice January 19th, 2023 11AM EST/4PM GMT An unusual, never before seen coating on 1st – 3rd CE Romano-Egyptian funerary portraits has been characterized by Peptide Mass Fingerprinting and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, as well as other techniques. Radiocarbon dating of the coating from two of the portraits indicated that the coating is approximately 2,000 years old--it is not a modern conservation intervention! Most interesting, however, is not discovering what the coating is, but trying to discover why it is there. This talk will briefly introduce the materials and practices of funerary portraits, summarize the examination and analytical characterization of this unusual coating, and offer speculation as to its original purpose.

Laura Courto Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher (ESR) Fellow PhD Student in Archaeology University of Cambridge, UK Previous Next All members Cambridge, UK MEMBER INFORMATION Poster Presenter 2021 Laura Courto is currently part of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral training network aiming to bridge the gap between archaeology and marine biology. Her current responsibilities are to perform original research under academic supervision and participate in the activities of the SeaChanges network including meetings, training, workshops, conferences, public outreach, and periodic secondment placements. Scrimshaw: unlocking the cultural and biological archive of sea mammal art Read Abstract ​ ⚠️ Member pages are undergoing improvements! Some features may not work today. Thank you for your patience!

Stepanka Kuckova Associate Professor University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague Previous Next All members Prague, Czechia MEMBER INFORMATION Poster Presenter 2023 Assoc. Prof. Stepanka Kuckova, Ph.D., is the Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Applied Proteomics at the University of Chemistry and Technology. She works also at the Faculty of Education at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. 19 years ago, as the first in the world her group has explored the utilization of mass spectrometry for the protein identification in insoluble matrices (artworks, mortars, bones). Authored 52 publications at WOS with more than 1100 citations. Proteomic analysis of blood coatings and determination of the animal species origin of blood Read Abstract ​ ⚠️ Member pages are undergoing improvements! Some features may not work today. Thank you for your patience!

Ann Wagner Curator of Decorative Arts Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library Previous Next All members Winterthur, Delaware, USA MEMBER INFORMATION Team Presenter 2021 Ann K. Wagner, curator of decorative arts, is responsible for approximately 20,000 objects of silver, metalware, and related composite materials such as lighting, firearms, and organics at Winterthur Museum in Delaware. She joined the curatorial staff immediately following her master’s degree from the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture. Ms. Wagner previously was the curatorial assistant for the department of European and American decorative arts at the Seattle Art Museum. Overlooked Organics in Decorative Arts: Cataloging Skin-Based, Skeletal, and Hard Keratinous Animal Tissues Read Abstract ​ ⚠️ Member pages are undergoing improvements! Some features may not work today. Thank you for your patience!

Sarah Scaturro Chief Conservator Cleveland Museum of Art Previous Next All members Cleveland, OH, USA MEMBER INFORMATION Participant 2021 Sarah Scaturro is the Eric and Jane Nord Chief Conservator of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Previously, she was the Head of Costume Institute Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art. She received her training in textile and fashion conservation, curating, and history at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2006. She is currently a PhD candidate at Bard Graduate Center, writing her dissertation on the professionalization of costume conservation. ​ ​ ⚠️ Member pages are undergoing improvements! Some features may not work today. Thank you for your patience!

OPPORTUNITIES Events Events Fellowships Fellowships Funding Funding Internships Internships Jobs Jobs Studentships Studentships Mentorship Mentorship Workshops + Courses Workshops + Courses WORKSHOPS + COURSES Keep current on the latest research and techniques! There are no current active opportunities to show today! If you have something you'd like to share, please send it to info@artbiomatters.org so we can upload it. Deep Dive: After the Flood Deadline Jul 31, 2024 9:30 AM Led by conservator and preservation consultant Donia Conn, this full-day workshop will provide participants with a unique hands-on experience in the wet salvage of historical collections (book, paper, and photographic items to textiles, furniture, and ethnographic objects) that happens after a water disaster (a flood or wet collections after the fire department puts out a fire)... Explore Deep Dive: Security Solutions Deadline Sep 25, 2024 9:30 AM This full-day workshop, which will be led by conservator and preservation consultant Donia Conn, is a deep dive into the theft and vandalism of collections. In the morning, participants will learn about: risk awareness; insider theft; facility design and security technology; security of information systems; working with vendors and contractors; research room management and design; developing institutional security policies and procedures; and post-event response. In the afternoon, an activity will allow participants to assess a staged museum space and identify the site's theft risk. Explore Alexis Gregory Curatorial Practice Program Deadline ​ The Alexis Gregory Curatorial Practice Program introduces graduate students to diverse aspects of curatorial practice within the context of a museum. Drawing on the richness of The Met’s collections, which represents thousands of years of human creativity from across the globe, as well as the depth and breadth of its staff’s expertise, this program explores the complexities of curating in the present by focusing on object-based analysis, research, exhibition planning, collection building, gallery display, and curatorial methodologies. Course content foregrounds some of the most pressing ethical, social, and political matters facing curators and museums today. Explore Conservation Science Tutorials, AIC & FAIC Deadline ​ With the support of the Getty Foundation, FAIC has created a series of self-paced modules that review key science principles in conservation. Explore