The Worshipful Company of Goldsmith’s, London
Library, Archive and Collections Cataloguing and Database Project
Matassa Toffolo were commissioned to produce a detailed plan for the Goldsmiths’ Company on cataloguing, documentation and future management of their cultural collections and digital assets. Following an analysis of the collections and the Company’s requirements, and working to best practice guidelines, Freda and Julia provided advice and support and drew up a long-term strategy which will lead to a complete catalogue of holdings.
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Compton, Surrey
Christina Rossetti: Vision & Verse until 17 March 2019
Matassa Toffolo were commissioned to produce a detailed plan for the Goldsmiths’ Company on cataloguing, documentation and future management of their cultural collections and digital assets. Following an analysis of the collections and the Company’s requirements, and working to best practice guidelines, Freda and Julia provided advice and support and drew up a long-term strategy which will lead to a complete catalogue of holdings.
National Portrait Gallery, London
Managing the Portrait Gallery’s loans programme for loans to national and international exhibitions and partner organisations from the collection. We also advised on the logistics for an international touring exhibition.
Royal Danish Embassy, London
Advising on and managing conservation on works of art in the Embassy building.
Nuffield College, Oxford
We undertook the first-ever complete museum-standard survey and catalogue of the College’s art collection and devised the re-display of a number of works. Founded by Lord Nuffield in 1937, the College holds collections that include international contemporary art and fine and decorative art pieces from the 1950s and 1960s. There are also examples from Lord Nuffield’s personal collections, including a number of items presented to him for his numerous manufacturing and philanthropic endeavours.
We produced a detailed report on the collections with recommendations for future collections management and planned new displays and a framing, conservation and lighting programme.
Church Commissioners: Murals by Hans Feibusch (1898–1998)
On behalf of the Church Commissioners, we undertook a research project into finding a new home for the 1930s German refugee artist Hans Feibusch’s important cycle of murals Pilgrim’s Progress (1944) in the crypt of St. Elisabeth’s Church, Eastbourne. Contacting a large network of specialist curators, architects and interested parties throughout the country, we attracted a great deal of attention to the issue and succeeded in obtaining expressions of interest in securing the future of this important work of art.
Works by Hans Feibusch were included in the Sussex Modernism exhibition at 2 Temple Place, London, from January to April 2017 and can currently be seen at Refugees: German Contribution to 20th Century British Art at the Ben Uri Gallery, London (29 March – 18 June 2017)
Museums of Uzbekistan
In late December 2016 Freda was invited by the British Council in Tashkent to advise senior museum professionals in Uzbekistan on how to join the international museum network and to foster relationships with other museums. Advising on museum standards as well as curatorship, loans, outreach and marketing, she led a workshop on How to set Up a World-Class Exhibition which, it is hoped, will mark the beginning of more cultural exchanges between Uzbekistan and the UK.
Hertfordshire County Council
Matassa Toffolo undertook the first ever complete survey of works of art owned by Hertfordshire County Council. Particularly strong in mid-20th century British art, the collection also includes medieval sculpture and a group of portraits dating from the 18th to 20th centuries. Over a four-month period we visited Hertfordshire County Hall, Shire Hall and a number of public buildings across the County. We surveyed, photographed, researched and catalogued over 1,500 works of art and delivered a comprehensive report to the Council.
Parliamentary Art Collection, London
Managed the process of selecting the 2015 General Election Artist and facilitated the selection of the chosen artist (Adam Dant) and the production of his commissioned work, The Government Stable, launched in September 2015. See further information on our involvement here and here.
Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Lectures on collecting, managing and caring for works of art for courses held at Sotheby’s Institute and Masterpiece Art Fair, 2015.
Royal Institute of British Architects, London
Project management and curation of displays for the recently-opened extension of RIBA’s headquarters offices at 76 Portland Place, refitted by Theis & Khan architects, 2015.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London
Cataloguing and condition reporting the College’s art collection, advising on future care, management, conservation and display, 2014–15. In 2015, using the College’s art collection curated a new display on the history of the College and a temporary thematic art exhibition. The project involved selecting content, researching and writing captions and commissioning specialists to install new lighting systems to create attractive new display spaces.
Society of Antiquaries of London
Advice on initial stages of exhibition Magna Carta through the Ages (26 May–31 July 2015) including HLF application and schedule, 2014.
University College London/British Council
5 day training course on Developing Exhibitions for international delegates, August 2014.
Arts Council Norway
Advice on collections management, policies and museums working together, October 2014.
Royal College of Art
Organisation and management of the exhibition The Perfect Place to Grow: 175 Years of the Royal College of Art, 2012–13.
The Eduardo Paolozzi Foundation, London
Management of project to inventory, document and photograph over 12,000 works of art, 2009.
Houghton Hall, Norfolk
Advice on immunity from seizure for the major exhibition Houghton Revisited, 2013.
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
De-installation and return of works to lenders for the exhibition, Sculpture in Painting, 2010.
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Feasibility study on management of the collection, 2012.
Camden Council Art Collection
Documentation and creation of inventory of entire art collections; advice on care and storage, 2010–12.
The Sarah Rose Collection
Advice on collections management and documentation for donation to the Borough Road Gallery, South Bank University; consultancy on gallery design and environmental conditions, 2008–2014.