PolyMuse: Mapping the rise of modern polymers in the wardrobes of Rose & Ella Grainger

^{Detail of beads on dress belonging to Rose Grainger, ca. 1920 (04.5633)}

PolyMuse: Mapping the rise of modern polymers in the wardrobes of Rose & Ella Grainger is a pop-up exhibition currently on at the Grainger Museum, as part of our 'Making the Museum' exhibition.

This exhibition has come about from a recent study of the Grainger Museum Collection as part of the PolyMuse Project. The project aims at developing methods for extending the lifespan of at-risk malignant plastic or polymer-based materials in museum collections.

The project team focused on the Grainger Costume Collection, with specific attention on the wardrobes of both Rose and Ella Grainger. Some of the pieces that were analysed for the PolyMuse Project are now on display as part of this pop-up exhibition.

^{Clothing belonging to Ella Grainger: Evening Dress 1938 (04.6885) and Three-piece Day Suit ca. 1960 (04-6839)}

PolyMuse: Mapping the rise of modern polymers in the wardrobes of Rose & Ella Grainger will be on display until 7 June 2020. For further information on the project, please see the project summary report here.