Christina Clarke

Dr Christina Clarke is an Honorary Lecturer in the Centre for Art History & Art Theory within the Australian National University's College of Arts & Social Sciences. With over two decades of experience as both an art historian and practicing metalsmith, she maintains active research and teaching roles at ANU, evidenced by recent publications through 2023 and teaching awards in 2020-2021. Her academic journey began with dual undergraduate degrees in Classical Studies and Visual Arts (specializing in gold-and silversmithing) at ANU, followed by advanced degrees including a PhD in Art History.

Clarke's research centers on historical and archaeological metal material culture, spanning from the dawn of metallurgy to the early twentieth century. Her interdisciplinary methodology combines artisanal practice, archaeological analysis, archival research, and digital humanities approaches. Key research areas include Bronze Age Greek metal vessels, Greco-Roman and Pre-Columbian metalworking, Louis XIV's silver furniture production, Enlightenment French metal industries, nineteenth-century Australian silverware, and Arts and Crafts movement metalwork. Her work demonstrates particular strength in reconstructing historical fabrication processes through both theoretical and practical investigation.

Her publication record shows consistent scholarly output with 13 research items documented between 2013-2021, including books, articles, digital editions, and conference papers. The research trajectory reveals deepening specialization in Louis XIV-era metalwork and continued engagement with Minoan metallurgy. Recent work increasingly incorporates digital humanities methodologies, exemplified by the collaborative digital critical edition of Jean-Benjamin de Laborde's songbook.

• 2021 ANU Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence
• 2020 ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Teaching
• Endeavour Research Fellow at Voltaire Foundation, University of Oxford (2018)

Clarke maintains significant engagement with the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, museums), having worked at the National Gallery of Australia in archival, curatorial, and conservation roles. She currently serves as Project Administrator for the Australian Research Council Discovery Project 'Performing Transdisciplinarity' and contributes to community education through silver jewelry courses. Her research network demonstrates strong international collaboration, particularly with European institutions focused on early modern material culture.