Graeme Were Books

The book explores how museums and their collections play a crucial role in the process of social repair in contemporary Vietnam. It examines the interplay between cultural heritage and societal healing, highlighting how these institutions contribute to addressing historical traumas and fostering community resilience. Through various case studies, it sheds light on the significance of preserving and interpreting collections in the context of Vietnam's ongoing journey towards reconciliation and recovery.

How does design and innovation shape people's lives in the Pacific? Focusing on plant materials from the region, How Materials Matter reveals ways in which a variety of people - from craftswomen and scientists to architects and politicians - work with materials to transform worlds. Recognizing the fragile and ephemeral nature of plant fibres, this work delves into how the biophysical properties of certain leaves and their aesthetic appearance are utilized to communicate information and manage different forms of relations. It breaks new ground by situating plant materials at the centre of innovation in a region.