open museums journal
Australia's only peer-reviewed online museum journal | ISSN 1443-5144 ©

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Volume 4 :: Taboo

Developing Body Art
by Trish McDonald

Abstract

The development of the Australian Museum's Body Art exhibition presented a challenge to the exhibition team, who sought input from over 100 community participants. Before the exhibition opened some segments of the public and the media protested that certain of the practices explored should not be included in a museum exhibition. This paper discusses the exhibition development process and concludes that it is important for museums to challenge community perceptions of culture and identity.

Date published: November 2001