Where are the lesbians? Searching for lesbian lives in museums

Lisa Hinkins, Museum Educator and PhD Researcher, is studying the representation of lesbian lives in Brighton & Hove Museums' collections. Her research, which began in October 2024, examines the inclusion of historic and contemporary lesbian lives and identities in the collections, including material objects and their cataloging in the digital system, MIMSY. The research focuses on Fine and Decorative Arts, Fashion and Dress, World Art, and Local History. As part of the research, Lisa developed community-building workshops to inform future museum practices and stimulate diverse debate and research. The workshops resulted in the creation of an automaton, a self-operating mechanical device, and a small exhibition, 'Where are all the Lesbians?' at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. The exhibition, which runs from Saturday 3 October 2026 to Sunday 28 February 2027, features objects from the collections, text panels, and workshop materials. Lisa's research aims to provide a framework for other institutions to map community outreach and research to better understand lesbian lives represented in their collections.