Exhibitions

In her role as Deputy Keeper of Anthropology at the Horniman Museum, Fiona co-curated the permanent World Gallery, which opened in June 2018. In addition she has curated a number of other exhibitions.

Revisiting Romania: Dress and Identity

Horniman Museum, London

from 04 October 2015 until 18 September 2016

Balcony Gallery

Exploring how Romanian folk art has been used to express social and political ideas within the village and on the national and international stage.

Bali: dancing for the gods

Horniman Museum, London

from 16 April 2011 
until 08 January 2012

Temporary Exhibition Space

Major exhibition exploring Balinese culture and dance featuring recent and archive film and photography, the latter from the 1930s, beautiful costume and artefacts from the Museum’s permanent collections.

China: Symbols in Silk

Horniman Museum, London

from 24 May 2008
 until 25 October 2009

This beautiful exhibition explored the use of symbols in historic textiles and other objects, from embroidered robes to exquisite shoes, as well as altar pieces and a 17th century bronze figure of the seated Buddha Sakyamuni.

Journey through Japan

Horniman Museum, London

from 31 March 2007
 until 11 November 2007

An exhibition of images taken from lantern slides of Japan in the collections of the Horniman Museum. The exhibition was structured around a journey made by thirteen-year-old Marjorie Bell (1890 –1962) in 1903.

Marjorie was born in Edinburgh and brought up in Australia. In 1903, accompanied by her mother Hester and cousin Leslie, she left her home on a sheep station at Shelford in Victoria. They arrived in Japan on 14 June and spent two months travelling around the country. During the journey both Marjorie and Leslie took photographs, which were processed at Japanese studios. Some of these were shown in the exhibition. The entries which Marjorie made in her diary provided the captions for this exhibition.

Wrapping Japan

Horniman Museum, London

from 31 March 2007 
until 27 April 2008

From simple indigo-dyed farmer's coats to sumptuous silk kimonos, rope sandals to ladies' platform shoes, the exhibition displayed costumes of Japan from the Museum’s collections to reveal the technical artistry of the makers, the variety of techniques and the elegance of the textiles. The exhibition was based on fieldwork and collaboration with staff in Japanese museums.

Khmer Silks

Horniman Museum, London

from 14 April 2006 until 25 February 2007

This exhibition of Buddhist textiles from Cambodia highlighted the symbolic role they play in the ceremonial and religious life of the people. From elaborate wedding costumes and a simple set of monk’s robes to a costume worn by the dancer performing the role of Rama in the Hindu Ramayana, Khmer Silks celebrated the importance of textiles in traditional life in Cambodia. A specially commissioned piece (pidan) depicting scenes from the life of Buddha was a focal point of the exhibition, emphasising that the Buddhist religion lies at the heart of Cambodian society.

Woven Blossoms: Textiles from Savu, Indonesia

Horniman Museum, London

from May 29, 2004 until February 20, 2005

An exhibition of textiles and weaving traditions which highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the island of Savu in Eastern Indonesia. Alongside the textiles was a photographic display showing aspects of life on the island, and related material made from the lontar palm, the tree on which the islanders’ livelihoods depend. The exhibition was co-curated by anthropologist Genevieve Duggan.

Scattered Flowers: the Batik Textiles of Jambi, Sumatra

Red House Museum, Christchurch

from September 21, 1996 until October 20, 1996