Grainger Creative Research Residency 2021–22 – Dr David Sequeira

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In 2021, Dr David Sequeira was appointed as the Grainger Museum's inaugural Creative Researcher in Residence, investigating the construction of personal and shared histories, polarities of banality and profundity in museum collections, and the persisting impact of one-sided narratives. Dr Sequeira's research, which took the form of curatorial interventions in the Collection, new installations across the Grainger Museum, and public talks and performances , explored the ways in which a gay mid 50s, brown-skinned, Indian born, Australian artist, curator and academic, makes sense of a museum which has been historically shaped by an openly racist composer and musician. Over 550 tertiary students engaged with Dr Sequeira through his Residency in Semester 2 2021, in Museum-based Teaching & Learning experiences.

Read Dr Sequeira's reflections on the residency and view installation images.

Biography

Dr David Sequeira is Director, Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. Much of Dr Sequeira’s research has focused on the use of colour and geometry in the creation of contemplative experiences for viewers. Dr Sequeira has exhibited his work extensively throughout Australia and his work is held in important public collections including the National Gallery of Australia. He is recipient of several residencies and awards including the Australia Council for the Arts studio residency in Paris, the Collex Museum of Contemporary Art acquisitive prize, Artist in residence at the University of Texas, Dallas and the Wyndham Art Prize. In 2014/2015 Dr Sequeira curated the highly acclaimed exhibition My Learned Object: Collections & Curiosities for the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne.