Sharareh Farokhnia

Biography

After achieving her Bachelors degree, Sharareh joined the Cultural Heritage, Tourism & Handicrafts Organization, and is in charge of Cultural and Historical Properties in the Central Department of Museum Affairs. This department supervises all Iranian museum projects such as exhibitions, international collaborations, documentation, tracking of stolen objects, restitution, etc. Sharareh’s duties include: head of documentation of museum objects, expert committee member with the task of purchasing cultural properties and exchanging cultural objects between the museums.

As a supervisor, Sharareh has conducted different types of projects on archaeological and anthropological collections such as artefact classification, sorting (typology) materials, documentation, and registration of museum objects. She has tried to set standards for the documentation of museum objects and is currently overseeing the implementation of a unique and standardized documentation system in Iranian museums and private collections. Based on her studies and efforts in this regard the ICHHTO published a book entitled Regulations and Conventions on Cultural and Historical Properties.

Sharareh has conducted workshops and talks across museums regarding the documentation, carpet weaving and the dignity of Iranian carpets, and the sustainability of museums.

Sharareh has a PhD in archaeology from the University of Tehran, with her thesis titiled, The Early Iron Age in Eastern and Central Alborz: Continuity or Discontinuity.

In 2023 Sharareh started a post doc at Goethe University to conduct a research project regarding social systems and social groups based on the grey pottery production in late Bronze and early Iron age. She is still working on this project and looking to publish a book on her research, and an exhibition at the National Museum of Iran.

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme in 2014, Sharareh was based in the Department of Coins and Medals and her partner placement was spent at Birmingham Museums Trust.

In 2015 each participant was asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition based on the physical space and concept of the Asahi Shimbun Displays in Room 3 at the British Museum. Sharareh’s exhibition project proposal was entitled The Iranian Lion and Sun: a symbol of identity and eternity.

Sharareh’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Altajir Trust.

Legacy Projects
In May 2017 Sharareh returned to the British Museum to attend the ITP+ Course on temporary exhibitions & permanent displays with fellows from China, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey over different ITP years.

ITP Newsletter Publications
ITP Newsletter Issue 5 (2018), Bulletin Board