Iraq: Living History – Internship Experience at the Chau Chak Wing Museum by Yasmine Aboud

Yasmine Aboud is studying the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of Sydney. Her internship took place at the Chau Chak Wing Museum with an exhibition as part of the Western Sydney Pop-Up Museum.

I’m a Master of Museum and Heritage Studies student, with a Bachelor of Ancient History. My passion for history has always been a major part of my life and grew so much stronger thanks to the internship opportunity at the Chau Chak Wing Museum. As someone with a cultural heritage background from Iraq, known as the Cradle of Civilisation to historians and archaeologists alike, history was bound to become my obsession. Working in the Western Sydney Pop-Up sector at the Museum was the perfect way to blend my interests across both degrees. 

Yasmine Aboud during her Chau Chak Wing Museum Internship

I worked with objects from the Nicholson collection that were excavated in Iraq. Working under the tutelage of Dr Melanie Pitkin and Candace Richards, I curated my own exhibition titled Iraq: Living History with the underlying theme of objects from the distant past that are used in modern life. For example, the muller which is around 7000 years old is still used in modern households as a mortar and pestle. Some of the materials had very little documentation, and so I began background research on the acquisition of the objects, as well as determining time periods. For example, the seal stamps had no information on what time period they came from. Through research and collation of information from other museums, I was able to determine that they came from the Sassanian Period, as per the design on the objects. The idea behind the Pop-Up is connecting people with their history, showcasing that the past isn’t as different as some may think. The ability to be able to handle objects that were once used in civilisations from millennia ago is something that quite literally brought me to tears on my first day.

Through the theme of the project, I was able to connect with a local Iraqi Jeweller, and design a bead activity, inspired by the beads in my Pop-Up. The activity was designed as prayer-bead making, as I am Muslim, and wanted a more personal touch with the activity. However, I understood not everyone is religious, or comfortable making prayer beads, so we opened the activity to making bracelets, phone charms, necklaces, etc. The activity was extremely successful, and everyone was so lovely and willing to learn. This Pop-Up was also the source of a collaboration between the Chau Chak Wing Museum and the Ahlul Bayt Society USYD.

Bead making activity at the Pop-Up Museum, Western Sydney

One of the biggest highlights of this project was the oil lamp with a saucer attachment, which was the star object. It was discovered by Sir Max Mallowan, who was crime fiction novelist Agatha Christie’s second husband, and it was very likely that she was present when the object was excavated. As someone with a deep love for books, this was a huge moment for me. I truly fangirled at the discovery! 

My experience at the Chau Chak Wing Museum was truly one of a kind. Being able to utilise my own cultural heritage excited me greatly, as my passion for history has always stemmed from my cultural heritage. I was able to develop my professional skills in this position and picked up a great deal of knowledge along the way about the inner workings of museums. I am so thankful to my supervisors, and especially to Marina Grasso, the GLAM placement office, who encouraged me to approach the Chau Chak Wing Museum for an internship, despite none being advertised at the time. The effort I put into this project paid off - I was offered a position at the Museum as an Education Officer, working with the public and providing tours to groups. I also secured my second internship at Rare Books and Special Collections.

Currently, I am in the final stretch of my Master’s degree and am looking forward to finding a full time role within the GLAM sector once I graduate. My advice to any students looking to enter the sector is just go for it. If history or arts is your passion, there is nothing better to do. When they say “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” they mean it. My experience was so fun and enjoyable, and I look forward to expanding my experiences in this field.