Naomi McRae
Culture & Heritage, 2024
My profound love and appreciation for the arts and heritage stemmed from my upbringing in Bowral, where the landscape and culture deeply influenced me. This love for art pushed me to pursue creative endeavours throughout high school which led me to join an Arts Enrichment Program. The program enhanced my love for the arts through its projects where I created various murals for the school.
Beyond my academic studies, I constantly seek to expand my creative skills, where I practice painting, embroidery and wood carving. Such activities are not only a passion of mine but have also helped in refining my hand skills.
Commencing my studies at The University of Canberra, the Culture and Heritage program proved to be a perfect fit for my creative interests and allowed me to pursue my passion in becoming a furniture conservator. Set to graduate in 2024, this academic journey has led to me to learn a plethora of knowledge in the heritage and conservation field, which I am eager to carry on post-studies.
In addition to my academic experiences, I work as a heritage student based in heritage construction remediation within Canberra. I also work as a junior conservator with ICS. Both of these roles have equipped me with hands-on experience and allowed me to build my interests in the heritage conservation field.
Selected Portfolio
Before treatment of bulb planter (left) and after treatment (right)
Constructed around 1980, the garden bulb planter is an object of heritage significance as it holds stories of technological advancements and gardening techniques of its time. The planter is associated with both past and present practices of horticulture, holding both sentimental value and communal value as a common gardening tool. In order to restore the object back to its mechanical use as a garden bulb planter the following treatments were carried out: General clean from dirt and grime, removal of rust through mechanical oil clean and chemical immersion.
Before treatment of Victorian Print (left) and after treatment (right)
The print dating around late 1800’s to early 1900’s is a culturally significance piece that reflects the style of the Victorian period. The print is a reflection on the aesthetic style, technological advancements and social culture of its time. The print carries stories of the rich history and culture of its period. In order to conserve and enhance the aesthetic values of the Victorian print, the following treatments were performed: Immersion clean, deacidification and paper bleaching.
Before treatment of Old Parliament House couch (left) and after treatment (right)
The couch from Old Parliament House holds cultural significance as an object that carries the rich political history of Canberra. The furniture piece reflects the aesthetic style of the 1930’s and has been utilised by Australian political figureheads for decades. The couch is a reflection on the early political history of the country and provides a physical link to the past. The treatment undertaken was a general clean of dirt, grime and scuffs, hard waxing dents and scratches, reattaching broken timber pieces, painting discolouration’s and waxing timber and leather conditioning.