Samantha Cawson is a paper conservator, artist and curator. She recently graduated from Camberwell College of Arts with an MA in conservation, and holds a 1st class bachelors degree in photographic arts from the University of Westminster. During her undergraduate studies she was tutored by, Silke Lange, David Campany and David Bate as well as completing student placements at Ambika p3 and The Photographers’ Gallery where she worked under the leadership of senior curator at the time, Stefanie Braun. As an artist and curator, Samantha is concerned with the inception of history, character interpretation and the exploration of objects.
This interest in engaging with the object has led Samantha to pursue a career as a conservator specialising in paper and photographic media. Samantha has worked with collections from a wide range of institutions in the UK and abroad including, The British Library, Teylers Museum, and The Royal Collection Trust.
Education:
2015: University of Leicester, School of Museum Studies: Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum
2015: Morley College, London: Bookbinding
2014: West Dean College, Sussex: Professional Conservators in Practice, Conservation of Photographs
2012-2014: Camberwell College of Art, London: MA Conservation
2008-2011: University of Westminster, London: BA (Hons) Photographic Arts
Conservation and Archival Work Experience:
2017: The British Library, London
2015: The National Archives, London
2015: Hoxton Hall, London
2015: The Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh
2014: Fotorestauratie Atelier VOF, Harlengen/Amsterdam
2014: National Conservation Service, London
2014: Stadsarchief, Amsterdam
2014: Teylers Museum, Haarlem
2013-2014: The Victoria and Albert Museum, London
2013: The Royal Collection Trust, Windsor
2013: The Children’s Society Archives, London
2012: Horniman Museum and Gardens, London
Curatorial Work Experience:
2015: Moray House School of Education, Edinburgh
2011: Margate Photography Festival, Margate
2010: The Photographers’ Gallery, London
2010: Ambika p3, London
Exhibitions:
2017: Arcana: An Exhibition of Tarot, The Crypt Gallery, London
2015: An Exhibition in a Day, Moray House School of Education, Edinburgh
2012: Telling Stories, Hastings Museum, Hastings
2011: The Trace, Margate Photography Festival, Margate
2011: University of Westminster Photography Degree Show, The Old Truman Brewery, London
Scholarships and Bursary Awards:
2016: Clothworkers Foundation, CPD Bursary
2014: York Consortium, The York Foundation for Conservation and Craftmanship
2014: Zibby Garnett Travelling Fellowship
2014: QEST
2013: Anna Plowden Trust
2013: York Consortium, The York Foundation for Conservation and Craftsmanship
2013: The Drapers’ Company, Sir William Boreman’s Foundation