We’ve been supporting artists and architects through a range of exhibitions, annual awards, scholarships and residencies since 1826. And whilst these opportunities have been encouraging a range of creatives, our Collections Department have been busy building important links with further education providers to help provide experience for those considering a career in the heritage sector.
Over the last few months, we’ve hosted two interns: Grey Kwong, who is undertaking a post-graduate MSc in ‘History of Art Theory and Display’, and Saraine Chan, who is in her third year of an undergraduate MA in the ‘History of Art and Architectural History’. Both are completing their studies at the University of Edinburgh. Part of their respective courses required them to gain experience working with a museum collection.
Grey and Saraine have helped us scan a substantial collection of black and white photographs of pieces by sculptor Benno Schotz RSA (1891-1984). In some instances, these images are the only remaining evidence of now lost works. They have also scanned a number of Benno Schotz’s sketchbooks, which, alongside the photographs, formed part of a studio gift from Benno’s family in 2020.
In their free moments, both Grey and Seraine were also able to share their knowledge, and help us to identify some of the many souvenirs brought back from Elizabeth Blackadder RSA and John Houston RSA’s travels to the Far East.
Despite the hard work, both students found the opportunity to join us at RSA Collections beneficial. Grey commented: “The internship experience is a good opportunity for me to immerse myself in Scottish art history. I learned to interpret sculptural motifs and explore the socio-cultural contexts that shaped the pieces. The invaluable digital preservation process in a cultural institution also equipped me to become creative in problem-solving and laid the foundation for future career related to cultural heritage.”
Saraine said the experience was incredibly rewarding: “In class, exhibitions, or online, we typically only see a part of an artist’s collection. Here, we were able to see a much larger proportion of Schotz’s very well-documented works, allowing us to gain deeper insight into his career. It was also very exciting to play a part in the RSA's mission of making their work more accessible, and to promote Scottish art and heritage.”
Benno’s life and work, alongside work by other Artists who have settled in Scotland from overseas, will be explored in our forthcoming exhibition A Scots Miscellany, which is scheduled to open at The Mound this winter.
About the author
Robin Rodger
Robin H. Rodger graduated as O. E. Saunders Prizeman in Art History from the University of St Andrews in 1983, before taking his Diploma in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at the University of Manchester in 1984. The next 26 years were spent at Perth Museum and Art Gallery, and since 2013 he has been Documentation Officer with the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture. A keen researcher, he has lectured and published widely on Perthshire artists and Perth silver, and is currently engaged in research projects relating to aspects of print and printmaking in Scotland.
