Pharaonic Obsessions: Ancient Egypt, an Australian Story

Abstract

Pharaonic Obsessions: Ancient Egypt, an Australian Story explores the modern history of Egyptology through the lens of Australian collecting practices, showcasing the University of Sydney’s significant holdings of ancient Egyptian material culture. Conceptually divided into two themes, ‘objects of obsession’ and ‘sites of obsession’, this exhibition examines the stories of prominent Australians who helped shape the University’s collection, and investigates the reception of ancient Egyptian heritage in Australian society from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. Historic photography, rare books, poster art and social history collections are entwined within the displays of ancient artefacts to explicitly place the collection in its colonial framework.