Dr. Isabel (Pi-fen) Chueh - Curator, Mactaggart Art Collection (© 2018 - University of Alberta)
University of Alberta Museums welcomes three people to the curatorial team: Isabel (Pi-fen) Chueh will be the curator of the Mactaggart art collection; Nadia Kurd, the curator of the University of Alberta art collection; and Emerald Johnstone-Bedell, the assistant curator of the University of Alberta art collection.
“We are excited to welcome these new members to the University of Alberta Museums team,” said executive director Janine Andrews. “By continuing to build new connections, making the collections more accessible to local and international audiences, and by encouraging research within the respective collections, I have no doubt that Isabel, Nadia and Emerald will become strong advocates for the Mactaggart art collection and the University of Alberta art collection.”
Chueh worked for the past seven years as the curator of textiles at the southern branch of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Before that, she worked for the Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taiwan as an assistant professor. Her area of expertise is textile design, with a focus on Ming and Qing dynasty Chinese silk.
“Isabel brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience at the National Palace Museum,” said Andrews. “We are looking forward to her continuing the mission for the Mactaggart Art Collection through building international connections with China and Chinese communities, by attracting more researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds to study this world-renowned collection, and by making it more accessible through local and international travelling exhibitions.”
Kurd, who starts her new post in July, has been the curator of Ontario's Thunder Bay Art Gallery since 2010. She recently obtained a New Chapter grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to commission work by 25 Indigenous and Canadian artists.
“One of Nadia’s real strengths is her ability to establish and maintain community and individual relationships,” said Andrews. “Her skills will continue to elevate the University of Alberta art collection in order to connect with researchers, artists and donors in many meaningful ways. Her expertise will be well utilized as we grow the art collection in areas such as contemporary Canadian and Indigenous art.”
Johnstone-Bedell has been the assistant curator at the University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries. She holds a Master's degree in art history from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., where she focused on Canadian and Indigenous art.
“Emerald has a range of skills that will help her in the new assistant curator position with the University of Alberta art collection,” said Andrews. “Her experience in public art, repatriation, curation and collections management practices are all strong assets for her role."
Source: University of Alberta Museums