The project is part of an Australian Research Council funded Discovery Project, ‘Art, politics and donor agendas in Timor-Leste’ (DP260100679, 2026-28) to investigate the contemporary arts landscape in Timor-Leste and how it is shaped by the politics and agendas of donors and the East Timorese state.
The PhD project will examine intercultural curation initiatives involving East Timorese and international artists and curators. Research for the PhD will involve fieldwork in Timor-Leste, some of which will be conducted with the ARC Discovery project team, involving researchers from Curtin and other Australian universities. The successful applicant will be supervised by Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman and Professor Kit Messham-Muir in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry (MCASI).
Aim
This project aims to improve our understanding of curating art interculturally in a post-conflict setting through an examination of the practices and experiences of the art sector in Timor-Leste and its links with the international scene.
Objectives
- Based on an in-depth analysis of select exhibitions and similar, to examine how exhibitions are organised, funded and curated in Timor-Leste
- To evaluate the extent to which curation in a developing contemporary art scene is influenced by global peacebuilding framings, such as in promoting reconciliation and human rights
- To develop theoretically informed insights into the challenges of intercultural curation through research carried out in Timor-Leste.
Significance
This project will contribute to a broader research project aimed at developing the first comprehensive analysis of Timor-Leste’s complex contemporary arts landscape. This project will investigate the experiences, attitudes and ideas of East Timorese artists towards curation and curatorial practices. Curatorial experiences and relationships will illuminate the impact of the funding environment and donor agendas in shaping art practices in Timor-Leste and investigate, in turn, how curation can support a stronger contemporary art sector.
Ideal Candidate
Applicants should have completed a BA (Honours) or Master’s degree in Art, Art History, History, Politics, Anthropology, or an associated discipline with an appropriate research component. In addition, the ideal candidate must meet the following criteria:
- They should preferably have a working knowledge of the main language(s) needed to undertake research and familiarity with Timor-Leste or another Southeast Asian or Pacific Island setting.
- Applicants should also have excellent written and oral communication skills, be able to work in teams, and have some experience in qualitative research methods.
- Previous research experience and outputs will be highly regarded.
- This project is open to Full time enrolled Domestic applicants only. Preferably Based in Perth.
Scholarship
One Curtin University Higher Degrees by Research Scholarship for a maximum period of 3.5 years at $38,440 per annum (indexed), based on full-time enrolment.
Applications close 15 June 2026
Enquires
For enquires please contact Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman at vannessa.hearman@curtin.edu.au.
To formally apply please submit an Expression of Interest to Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman