Moya Smith
Curator, Archaeology and Anthropology
Oversees management of the ancient world elements of the World Cultures collections, the photographic collections and participates in curation of the World Cultures, Aboriginal Cultures and Archaeology collections.
For much of my career I have worked with Aboriginal communities in the south-west Kimberley and the Esperance region. My interests have included the archaeology of pre- European lifeways as well as continuing traditions, from plant use to maritime resource use.
In addition to research -based on fieldwork I have focussed on exploring elements of the collections managed by the Anthropology & Department, with particular emphasis on Aboriginal cultural items from areas where I have worked and also the ancient Egyptian collections.
For over 10 years I was one of the co-ordinators of WAMCAES, the WA Museum Centre for Ancient Egyptian Studies. While this group has disbanded, the international visitors who examined our collections, and the 10 journals we produced, enriched our collection knowledge.
Collections
Oversees management of the ancient world elements of the World Cultures collections, the photographic collections and participates in curation of the World Cultures, Aboriginal Cultures and Archaeology collections.
Exhibitions and Public Programs
Curator or co-curator of many exhibitions from long term including Katta Djinoong – First Peoples of Western Australia to temporary WA Museum exhibitions in Perth and Museum branches, and local curator for international travelling exhibitions e.g. Discovering Ancient Egypt. Curatorial team member for Boola Bardip Changes gallery, with contributions to Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn, WA Treasures, Innovations, and Wild Life.
Lectures/conference papers
2023 – A Curator’s Dilemma – a Meet the Museum talk
Selected Publications
2021 Two stone knives, Napier Broome Bay c.1910, in Collecting the West: "99 Collections That Made Western Australia", 2021. (api.nodegoat.collectingthewest.net/ngEb4E455F525QrX4Ffvu)
