Dr Mary M. Brooks
Dr Mary M Brooks
Cover of "Micheál & Elizabeth Feller: The Needlework Collection"
To contact Dr Mary M. Brooks please click here, you can find her website at:www.marymbrooks.co.uk.
**Mary's list of publications has been updated - see downloadable file at the bottom of this page**
Mary Brooks began her career working in libraries and the book world. She then worked in the training section of the Publishers' Association before moving on to work in management consultancy while gaining a Diploma in Management Studies.
She then followed up a long term interest in textiles and embroidery, having been a member of Beryl Dean’s embroidery master class, by training as a textile conservator at Textile Conservation Centre, then at Hampton Court Palace. After this she worked as a conservator and curator in Europe and America. At York Castle Museum , she jointly curated Stop the Rot with Simon Cane which won the 1994 IIC Keck Award for promoting public awareness of conservation.
Mary returned to the Textile Conservation Centre in 1993 as Head of Studies & Research, being closely involved with the development of the new MA programmes and the merger. She has since become Reader at the University of Southampton and Programme Leader for the MA Museum & Galleries (pathways: Access & Learning, Collections Management, Culture, Collections & Communication & History of Textiles & Dress).
Mary has a special interest in the contribution that object-based research and conservation approaches can make to the wider interpretation and presentation of cultural artefacts. Research interests include the interpretation and presentation of conservation in museums and the representation of human remains in the museum. Her textile interests include embroideries, quilts, and modern materials. She catalogued the Ashmolean Museum’s collection of 17th century embroideries and was Guest Curator for their exhibition ‘Curious Works.’ She was Director of a joint TCC/V&A project examining conservation issues for smart and techno fibres funded under the AHRC’s Innovation scheme.
In May 2010 Mary successfully completed her part-time PhD on regenerated protein fibres at the University of Leeds.
Mary will be developing her career as a consultant in museum and conservation projects.
For a preview of Mary's latest publication follow this link:
BROOKS, M. M., E. FELLER & J. HOLDSWORTH. 2011. Micheál & Elizabeth Feller: The Needlework Collection I.Needleprint.
