Creative journeys with... Camella Ramjet

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Collections Care and Curatorial Assistant for the newly launched UCL Culture Lab. I started this role in September, just before the grand opening of the Culture Lab in October 2023, and the installation of our first exhibition 'Power!'. This granted me the unique opportunity to be part of the formation of the space and to start implementing key processes from scratch – which has been really exciting! 

My job involves a myriad of tasks, mainly focusing on conservation, collections care, audience engagement and accessibility. This includes implementing preventive conservation measures for the Culture Lab’s exhibition space and collection store. I’m currently working on an audio guide for the Power! exhibition in collaboration with UCL students, with the aim of increasing accessibility.

I’m currently Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Officer at ICON, as part of their emerging professionals network. I also work at the British Museum as part of the Learning and National Partnerships department, freelance at the Royal Collections Trust, and work and volunteer at the Science Museum and Natural History Museum whenever I can.

Tell us about the journey that led you to where you are now

I started my career volunteering at the Natural History Museum as part of the learning team. I later joined the British Museum where I trained as a community partnerships officer. My work focused on improving access to museum spaces and facilitating projects that create social value. One of my favourite projects was being part of UCL’s ‘museum on prescription’. I also assisted in the curation of ‘Desire, love, identity: LGBTQ histories’ exhibition and gallery trail. 

After my traineeship, I went on to assist curators and conservators with collections care, digitisation, research and the preventive conservation of the museum’s Caribbean and ethnographic collections. This inspired me to pursue an MA in Principles of Conservation at UCL, which I was awarded in July 2023.

Before joining UCL, I gained an internship through ICON, where I undertook training at English Heritage as a Preventive Conservator. I was also given the opportunity to work with Painting Conservators on fine art restoration and conservation, and with Conservation Scientists on experiments, research and assisting with Oddy tests. I learnt so much and really enjoyed my time there.   

What career achievement are you most proud of?

As a British Indo-Caribbean Londoner, being one of the first people to focus on digitising the Caribbean collections at the British Museum meant a lot to me. 

While working on the collections I was asked to be part of the Object Journeys, Family and Care project. I selected collections, updated documentation, enabled access and facilitated object discussions with the group. We all felt a connection while sharing stories about the objects, in particular, a Guyanese Hammock. 

This object was selected and is currently on display in Room 24. To my knowledge, it is the third Guyanese object currently on permanent display at the museum! I’m really proud of what we achieved. 

What project or initiative are you most looking forward to?

I’m most looking forward to working with students on their audio guides for the Culture Lab Power! exhibition. We have a variety of collections on display that have inspired unique stories and viewpoints. 

What are you reading, watching and listening to?

Reading: A little Princess’ written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

Watching: Catching up on all the Doctor Who episodes I’ve missed!

Listening: A mix of Paul Izak and Sam Garrett songs.  

What is your favourite museum, gallery or exhibition at the moment? 

My favourite museum will always be the Natural History Museum. There are very few Caribbean objects that survived the journey to and from the Caribbean, so I've always been drawn towards nature and the natural world. 

As time went on, Caribbean people came together to make their own objects such as jewellery. I can’t wait for you all to see the work of Ysabel Hannam from our Curating Power Collective, called “Redefined: Guyanese Gold Bangle”. It will be installed as part of the Power! exhibition from 18th March until September 2024. 

I also can't wait to visit the ‘YOKO ONO: Music of the Mind’ exhibition at Tate Modern! 

If you had one piece of advice for people who want to pursue a similar career path, what would it be?

Keep pushing forward, join groups and collectives, and don’t be afraid to ask questions - you never know where opportunities will take you!  
 

Find out more about the UCL Culture Lab and current Power! exhibition.