Truth and Authenticity

What happens to truth when people cannot access their cultural, historic and scientific record?

The verification of histories, the development of identity and the iteration of the culture all require the existence of, and access to, the authentic cultural record. The right to know is enshrined in the basic principles of democracy but the ability to access information is framed, supported and in many instances privileged by race, region and socio-economic status.

In this lecture Professor Robyn Sloggett explores the ways in which risk to the preservation of cultural, historical and scientific records is situated within broader issues of climate change, regionalism and post colonialism.

This lecture is part of the 2018 School of Historical and Philosophical Studies Truth Public Lecture Series.

Presenter

Professor Sloggett is the Cripps Foundation Chair in Cultural Materials Conservation and the Director of the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at The University of Melbourne. Her research interests include attribution and authentication of Australian paintings, the development of the Australian art market, collection development and history, the investigation of the materials and techniques of artists, and the preservation of cultural materials held in Australian Indigenous communities. She holds qualifications in art history, philosophy, and cultural materials conservation (applied science), and a PhD from The University of Melbourne.