Conservator Clare Kim Restores Minute Insect Specimens at Australian Museum
Clare Kim, a conservator at the Australian Museum, is meticulously restoring the institution's smallest insect specimens as part of its Collection Enhancement Project. Working under microscopes, she assesses and treats specimens often just millimeters long, addressing issues like verdigris buildup from old pins and fungal growth. Her work prepares these delicate items for digital photography and permanent online records. Entomologists like Dr. Shane McEvey and Russell Cox praise her precision, noting the importance of preserving features like fragile bristles for scientific identification. This project aims to safeguard biodiversity data for global research.
Key facts
- Clare Kim is a conservator specializing in minute insect specimens at the Australian Museum
- She is part of the museum's Collection Enhancement Project, now three years in progress
- Kim treats issues including verdigris from metal pins and fungal growth on specimens
- Her work involves cleaning, remounting, and preparing specimens for digital photography
- The project creates permanent digital records to support worldwide scientific study of biodiversity
Entities
Artists
- Clare Kim
Institutions
- Australian Museum
Locations
- Australia