Sunday Lecture: The Heritage Collections - Melissa Hamnett

The Heritage Collections at the UK Parliament are of national and international significance with many of them specifically designed to complement the interiors of the Palace of Westminster, which was rebuilt in the 19th century after a massive fire. It is a Grade 1 listed building and UNESCO World Heritage site. The collections comprise about 30,000 objects which relate to the past, present and future of the Parliamentary Estate, recording its history, its work and its people and date from the site’s medieval origins as a Royal Palace to the present-day institution. They range from works on paper, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, textiles and historic furniture, as well as architectural items linked to the Estate. This talk will unpack how these living, ‘working’ collections both capture and maintain corporate memory as well as helping to explain the functions and processes of Parliament from the ceremonial to the day-to-day.

Melissa Hamnett is Director of Heritage Collections and Chief Curator at Parliament. She is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to day management of the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection and the Architecture Collection including access, engagement and collections development. Previously, Melissa Hamnett worked at the V&A, delivering major gallery renovation projects and latterly was Curator of Sculpture 1850 to the Present. She publishes on 19th and 20th century sculpture, specialising on the links between British and French output, the New Sculpture and British sculpture after Rodin.
Please join us. Entry to the Lecture Room from 10:45. Seating limited to 60. Walk-ups may be admitted. This lecture will be livestreamed via Friends of Kenwood YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_mQasMb-eMa_3lZMIwM2JA

Host or Publisher Friends of Kenwood