NTB Museum joins project to trace Lombok artifacts in Australia

Mataram, NTB (ANTARA) - The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) State Museum is set to join an international project to trace and verify the provenance of Lombok cultural artifacts housed in Australian museums and galleries.

The six-week initiative, scheduled to begin later this year, is funded through a private capacity-building grant from Australian art collector Michael Abbott.

Head of the NTB State Museum Ahmad Nuralam said here on Thursday (October 29) that the program will send a museum staff member to Australia to study conservation techniques while researching the origins and attribution of Indonesian cultural items there.

"One NTB State Museum staff member will be based in Australia for one and a half months. The program is scheduled to begin at the end of this year," Nuralam said on the sidelines of the launch of the book “Two Islands, One Thread: Lombok and Bali Textiles.”

Nuralam noted that candidates must demonstrate proven English proficiency and expertise in museum studies. The selected fellow will receive training at three leading institutions: the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Flinders University, and the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

Beyond conservation, the fellowship covers public engagement and educational programming, including community-driven initiatives like the Botanic Gardens of Sydney's program that involves senior citizens as botanical guides.

Nuralam hopes the knowledge gained will improve collection management in NTB State Museum and bolster cultural diplomacy between Indonesia and Australia.

Meanwhile, Abbott explained that he funded the grant out of concern over the widespread misattribution of Indonesian textiles in Australia.

He noted that many historical pieces from Lombok - an island immediately east of Bali - are frequently mislabeled as Balinese, leaving Lombok’s distinct heritage overlooked.

According to Abbott, the fellow will not only examine textiles but also help re-examine the origins of ceramics and other historical artifacts.

"I hope this six-week internship develops into a mutually beneficial reciprocal relationship. Ultimately, I also hope to see someone from Australia come to Indonesia to study here (in Lombok)," Abbott said.

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Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Uyu Liman
Editor: Primayanti
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