The Textiles Special Interest Group (TSIG) is a professional network committed to advancing the field of textile conservation in Australia and fostering a strong community of like-minded practitioners.

Textile conservators are professionals who specialise in the preservation, treatment, and care of textile-based objects and materials. Their primary role is to ensure the long-term survival and accessibility of textile materials, which can include fashion, historical costume, tapestries, embroideries, upholstery and soft furnishings, flags and (increasingly) contemporary artwork.

The primary aims of the Textiles SIG are:

Networking opportunities 
The TSIG facilitates networking and knowledge-sharing among textile conservators, allied professionals such as fashion historians, curators, archivists and textile artists, and individuals interested in textile conservation. Through the bi-annual TSIG Symposium, specialist workshops, short seminars and social events, the TSIG aims to provide spaces for professionals to connect, exchange ideas and collaborate on projects, fostering a strong community within the Australian textile conservation sector.

Enhancing textile conservation practice 
The TSIG actively works towards enhancing textile conservation practice in Australia. It achieves this by:

  1. Staying informed about advances in practice: Conveners and members of the group aim to keep abreast of and discuss the latest international and local developments, research outcomes and opportunities and workshop/ training opportunities in textile conservation. This helps form a good understanding of the state of practice and identify opportunities for advancing textile conservation in Australia.
  2. Tailoring to local context and needs: While drawing from international advancements, the group also recognises the unique challenges and requirements of textile conservation in the Australian context. International training and research opportunities are identified and adapted to suit the local cultural heritage landscape, and specific needs of Australian institutions and collections. We also aim to identify opportunities for training and professional development or to platform aspects of practice from within our local membership body.

Convenors

Mary-Anne Gooden and Victoria Thomas are the co-conveners of the Textiles SIG. They are both Professional Members of the AICCM and textile conservators working at Artlab Australia, where they are responsible for the provision of a wide range of textile conservation services. This includes examination, assessment, documentation and materials analysis; remedial treatments; preparation of items for exhibition, travel and storage; undertaking community service programs and preventive conservation activities.

Mary-Anne is the Principal Textiles Conservator at Artlab Australia. She has a Master’s in Cultural Materials Conservation from the University of Melbourne, as well as training in hand embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework.

Victoria is a textiles conservator at Artlab Australia. She has a Master’s degree (MCULMC 2017), a BA (Hons.) and technical training in garment manufacture and patternmaking. She also contributes to the Master’s program in Cultural Materials conservation as a textiles teaching specialist.

Mary-Anne and Victoria are interested in the preservation of both textile objects and specialist craft skills, and are keen to embed tactile, craft-based learning in the TSIG program.

Events

The key event in the TSIG calendar is the bi-annual TSIG Symposium. The last of these Symposia, ‘Culture, Cloth Connection’, was held at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne in June 2024.

For planned upcoming events, please see the main AICCM events page.

Contact

If you have any questions or event suggestions for the Textiles SIG, please email the convenors at textiles@aiccm.org.au
Textiles SIG Facebook account