Annual Seminar 2026 – Save the Date

The Journeys with Mai project has given three partner venues and their audiences a unique opportunity to encounter, interpret and respond to an exceptional 18th-century portrait.  It demonstrates how partnership work can amplify diverse voices and perspectives.

Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai captures an extraordinary moment of cross-cultural encounter. Inspired by this example, how might UK museums and galleries use contrasting viewpoints and lived experiences to deepen and challenge our understanding of historic works of art?

A major strength of the project has been the inclusion of contemporary responses and indigenous voices – from pacific artist commissions to performance – placed directly in dialogue with the portrait.  These interventions have disrupted traditional display approaches, allowing space for critique and co-creation, and have contributed to ongoing decolonial practice within partner museums.

Looking ahead, what can Journeys with Mai — and other national reinterpretation initiatives — teach us about revitalising historic portrait collections?  How might new curatorial strategies, collaborative methods and creative interventions spark fresh thinking and support wider participation?

The ‘Reframing Historic Portraiture’ seminar will address such questions as:

• How can projects that centre diverse voices lead to meaningful decolonial action?

• How can contemporary artists’ responses draw out parallels between historic portraiture and today’s most urgent challenges?

• How can interpretation strategies activate traditional portrait collections for modern audiences?

• How can portraiture help explore themes of migration, belonging and identity?

• In what ways can touring exhibitions reflect global histories of movement and exchange of people, culture and objects?

• How can cross-institutional partnerships enrich perspectives on historic portrait collections?

Who is this event for?

Designed as a sector-facing, open and inclusive conversation, the symposium will welcome museum professionals, students, artists, engagement specialists and others interested in portraiture or historic collections.  Together, we will explore new ways to strengthen the relevance, resonance and social impact of our shared heritage. In contrast, the evening event will focus on the perspective of the contemporary artists that have been involved in this project while simultaneously exploring the experience in dialogue with a public audience to consider the wider, shared outcomes of this kind of work.

Full details and information about booking will be updated on this page shortly.