The Stories We Keep
Designing a Dialogue Between Past and Present
The Stories We Keep: Conserving Objects from Ancient Egypt was a dynamic temporary exhibit at Carnegie Museum of Natural History on view from March 2024 to September 2025. It focused on the origin stories of historic objects while emphasizing the critical role of museum conservators and their efforts at artifact preservation. By pairing ancient items with modern counterparts, the exhibit encouraged reflection on what we leave behind and how objects preserve the essence of human life across millennia.
Exhibit Identity
I developed an art direction that balanced the sleek aspects of a modern laboratory with the tactile warmth of handmade items. This was achieved through clean typography, structured layouts, and vibrant colors juxtaposed with hand-drawn illustrations, paper textures, and handwritten annotations inspired by conservators’ notes.
Heavy Illustration
We relied on illustrated elements, rather than photography, to support and strengthen the content throughout the exhibition. It proved to end up being a heavy design lift, but this approach provided for a unique handdrawn aesthetic that was well-received by visitors and staff alike.
Select photos by Camilia Casas, The Warhol Academy, courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Natural History