Rafidah Bahari

Biography

Rafidah has a BA degree in Arts and Design on Ceramic and a Master’s degree in Art History and Cultural Management. She has an ICCROM certificate in promoting and examining educational strategies which will benefit the professional development of museum staff in the region, while enhancing the transformation of knowledge in art and conservation. Rafidah joined the Conservation Department of Islamic Art Museum Malaysia (IAMM), nearly 14 years ago.

As senior conservator at IAMM Rafidah’s responsibilities are ultimately to protect and preserve the collection entrusted to the IAMM’s care, so that the future generation will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn from it. This involves making decisions regarding conservation treatment for every new acquisition, ensuring that artefacts are durable enough to withstand their proposed use (for example, displays interpretation, loans, and hands on activities), undertaking conservation treatments and monitoring gallery conditions, for example temperature and humidity levels. Rafidah also ensures that any conservation work on the collection is fully documented in the collections database.

Rafidah is particularly interested in ceramic restoration, glass restoration and building materials (stone and marble) restoration.

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme, Rafidah was based in the Middle East Department and the Conservation Department, and spent her partner placement at Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives.

Rafidah worked with Namrata Sarmah (India) and Solomy Nabukalu (Uganda) on her Object in focus project, Guts & Eternal Glory.