Dr Judith McKay is a museum curator, historian and heritage consultant with wide experience in museums, exhibitions, research and writing. Professionally trained in history, art history and museology, she has worked in national, state and regional museums; most recently (until 2008) as a senior curator at the Queensland Museum. Judith has published on diverse aspects of Queensland cultural heritage, including art and architecture, war memorials and expositions. In addition, she has been a consultant for a National Estate study of war memorials for the Australian Heritage Commission and an expert witness in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court. Her awards include a Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship (2001) and the John Douglas Kerr Medal of Distinction for History of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and the Professional Historians Association Qld (2008). She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.
Skills and Services Offered:
Historical research, writing and publishing
Museum and heritage consulting
Curating exhibitions and displays
Assessing cultural heritage significance, especially of museum collections
Expert witness
Professional Interests:
Queensland cultural history
Museums and materials culture
Women's heritage
Qualifications:
1971 Bachelor of Arts Honours (Fine Arts and History), University of Melbourne
1976 Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies, University of Sydney
1982 Master of Arts Honours (Fine Arts), University of Sydney
1996 Doctor of Philosophy (History), University of Queensland
Publications and experience:
Experience:
1977–79 Curator, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
1979–81 Curator, Armidale City Council, New South Wales
1982–88 Research Assistant, Dept of Architecture, University of Queensland
1983–86 Consultant, National Estate study of Queensland war memorials for Australian Heritage Commission
1988–08 Curator, Queensland Museum, Brisbane
2008– Independent consultant
Publications:
(with Donald Watson) A directory of Queensland architects to 1940, St Lucia, University of Queensland Fryer Library Occasional Publication, 1984
Brisbane sculpture guide: a walk around public sculpture in the city, Brisbane, Queensland Society of Sculptors, 1988
Ellis Rowan: A flower-hunter in Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland Museum, 1990
Harold Parker: sculptor, Brisbane, Queensland Art Gallery, 1993
(with Donald Watson) Queensland architects of the 19th century: A biographical dictionary, Queensland Museum, 1994
Brilliant careers: women collectors and illustrators in Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland Museum, 1997
‘A good show’: Colonial Queensland at international exhibitions, Memoirs of the Queensland Museum Cultural Heritage Series, vol. 1, part 2, April 1998
(with Susan Addison) A good plain cook: an edible history of Queensland, Brisbane, Boolarong Publications, 1985; 2nd edition, Queensland Museum, 1999
Showing off: Queensland at world expositions 1862 to 1988, Brisbane, Central Queensland University Press and Queensland Museum, 2004
(with Bill Kitson) Surveying Queensland 1839–1945: a pictorial history, Brisbane, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water and Queensland Museum, 2006
Exhibitions:
1978 Nolan’s Gallipoli, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
1978–80 George Lambert war sketches, Australian War Memorial travelling exhibition
1981 Daphne Mayo, sculptor, University Art Museum, Brisbane
1990 Ellis Rowan: a flower-hunter in Queensland, Queensland Museum, Brisbane, 1990–2006 toured extensively
1993 Harold Parker sculptor, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
1995 The champions: two Queensland embroiderers, Queensland Museum, Brisbane, 1996–97 toured
1995 Queensland remembers: war memorials, Queensland Museum, Brisbane, 1996–98 toured
1997 Brilliant careers: women collectors and illustrators in Queensland, Queensland Museum, Brisbane
2001, 2006 New displays at John Flynn Place, Cloncurry
2001 Queensland 1901, Queensland Museum, Brisbane
Contact details:
Dr Judith McKay
39 Brook St
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Phone: 07 38444 746
Fax:
E-mail: mckay.watson@bigpond.com
