DAISY CULMER - Museum Curator and Artist
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After studying English Literature at university, Daisy undertook a graduate internship with the British Library, fuelling her desire to forge a career in the heritage sector. She obtained a place on the Norfolk Museums Service Teaching Museum Programme, completing her curatorial training within Norwich Castle Museum’s Fine and Decorative Art department.
Since 2016, Daisy has worked as the Curator for Harvey’s Foundry Trust, Hayle, home to the Cornish Beam Engine. She is an Associate Member of the Museums Association (AMA) and was recently awarded a PG(Cert) in Archival Studies from the University of Dundee, now acting as Project Archivist for the Hayle Community Archive documentation backlog. Her work endeavours to provide access for all to Cornwall’s rich industrial heritage, as well as to the stories held within Hayle’s collections, in creative and inclusive ways.
This storytelling is embedded in Daisy’s art practice, comprising mixed-media collages, monotypes, experimental drawings, and other small works on paper. Having grown up in West Penwith, her work draws inspiration from the unique culture and landscape of these rural, far-western reaches of our county; megaliths, moorland, working fishing villages, weathered granite and Cornish folklore feature prominently in her work. Her studio is at Krowji.
Daisy is also a founding member of the Cryséde Collective, a group of artists, historians, museums, libraries and archives working together to share and preserve the story of Cryséde Silks and women in the Cornish textile industry.
1. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Truthfully, it’s having maintained – whether or not I feel confident doing it - the ability to "dance on my own" in life: to travel alone, move away and live alone, walk on the coast alone, eat alone.
As I child, I'd tell myself long stories and I remember thinking "I'll never be bored if I have my imagination". I suppose that's still true.
2. What motivates you to do what you do?
Passion and a deep connection with the place I’m from. This is true of both my art practice and my curatorial work. My art explores the concept of “home” (which, for me, is so deeply entrenched in the wilds of West Penwith) and so the imagery comes just as much from my heart as it does from observation.
And having gone to school in Hayle (and grown up in nearby St Erth) I’m committed to sharing its stories at the museum including its remarkable engineering accomplishments which, though small and geographically remote, saw the town achieve international renown in the 19th century.
I’m also motivated by the dedication and enthusiasm of my museum peers; it’s a sector full of such genuine excitement for what we do.
3. What do you owe your mother?
A love of reading. Also, writing - being scrupulous and concerned with clear communication. When my brother and I were growing up, I watched my mum work hard in the evenings to complete her OU degree and, just last year, she published a fascinating local history book: an enormous undertaking. I really admire her diligence.
The approach I’ve learned from her is invaluable to me in all manner of tasks: funding applications, creative writing, cataloguing, and exhibition content.
4. Which women inspire you and why?
All of my friends - among them mothers, artists, mentors, givers - as well as the women I don't yet know but see doing amazing things at Krowji, and other creative and community spaces.
Right now – with the county championships fast approaching – I’m especially in awe of my gig rowing sisters, because racing our hearts out on the Scillies in high winds and against clashing oars really does forge a bond like no other.
5. What are you reading?
Right now, I'm reading "The Story of a New Name", the second book in the Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante: a beautiful tale of female friendship. Also, "Wessex Tales" by Thomas Hardy and "The Fragrant Mind" by Valerie Ann Worwood.
6. What gender barriers have you had to hurdle?
As a woman in the industrial history field – a vocational, qualified museum professional, rather than a subject specialist - I’ve certainly felt the need to prove myself. The more pressing challenge as I see it, however, is to interpret forgotten herstories. This is a long-term project as there are so many women from Hayle’s past whose stories I aim to share through outreach, exhibitions and collections-work. These include the women who risked their lives at work at the National Explosives Factory at Upton Towans, and the writer Kitty Lee Jenner, who was instrumental in Cornish language revival.
7. How can the world be made a better place for women?
Better representation of diverse bodies through formal education, from an early age.
8. Describe your perfect day?
A walk out West; St Loy’s, Portheras or Penberth Cove are all favourites. Spending time in my studio, painting and collaging. Then in the evening, hunkering down in a cosy pub – The Tinners at Zennor or The Ship Inn in Porthleven - to sing with The Shantillies, an all-women shanty band a group of my friends and I have recently formed.
9. We've noticed there really aren't many (if any) statues of women around Cornwall - who would you like to see remembered?
Elizabeth Carne. Carne was a Cornish geologist, conchologist, mineral collector, and banker, born in 1820 in Hayle. As a child, Elizabeth and her family moved to Penzance where she became aware of the deprivation and need for education in neighbouring mining areas. She went on to open several schools and a museum to display her extensive mineral collection. Elizabeth was Head of the Penzance Bank and the first female member of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall.
A practicing artist, Elizabeth worked in watercolour, painting Penwithian landscapes, and created delicate sketches of her beloved geological and conchological specimens. I recently had the incredible privilege of seeing her illustrated book “British Shells”, held in the archives at Morrab Library.
Notably, Elizabeth was second cousin to the Brontë sisters and close friend of the diarist Caroline Fox of Falmouth.
10. Give us a tip?
Acknowledge your internal growth. Don’t shy away from honest vulnerability; it is quite possibly your greatest strength.
Instagram:
@daisy.culmer.art
@hayleheritagecentre
@crysedecollective
