Online Curator Talk: Gilbert Galleries

Fascinating online lecture from the Victoria and Albert Museum introducing the refurbished galleries and redisplay of the Gilbert Collection.

Jessica Insley and Isabella Warnham introduced us to Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert and their collection and talked about it was now held at the museum.

They explained how they had the chance to expand the galleries into old office space and talked us through the design decisions they made  and how they worked with dementia focus groups to make the space accessible for everyone as the trustees of the collection support dementia charities. They talked about how they introduced sensory experiences into the space to enliven the collection and make it more approachable.

They then talked us through the works room by room explaining the decisions they made in displaying it and highlighting key objects with excellent illustrations. They explained how the collection and display have an emphasis on craftsmanship and how they have also used it to discuss the idea of collecting.