Chloe Lim
Chloe is pursuing her passion for heritage with a major in Anthropology and revealing new and interesting ways to approach her fine art practice.
Key facts:
Programme: Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology / Bachelor of Fine Arts conjoint
High school: Marist College
Scholarship: Top Achiever Scholarship, Summer Research Scholarship
“I chose to study at the University of Auckland because it is the only university that offers the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts conjoint in New Zealand.
“The Bachelor of Arts appealed to me because it allows you to study across multiple subjects. While majoring in Anthropology, I’ve also been able to take papers in Art History and Māori Studies. Through my research work as part of the Summer Research Scholarship, I’ve seen how all three areas can complement each other into a future career.
“I chose Anthropology because I have had a keen interest in museums since I was young. I knew I wanted to pursue some kind of career in the heritage sector, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about getting there. Picking Anthropology as a major was a bit of a wild guess, as I was tossing up between a few majors - but the first Anthropology paper I did at University, ANTHRO 109, sealed the deal for me.
“I love Anthropology because I’m able to pursue my interest in heritage, but I have also enjoyed the diverse nature of studying anthropology and learning about all the other interconnected aspects of human culture that surround heritage. The holistic view of heritage that my study has offered has further driven my interest in it.
“My favourite paper so far has been the archaeology field school as part of ANTHRO 317. Having the opportunity to excavate on Ahuahu/Great Mercury Island was a completely different experience to learning the theory in the classroom (in the best way!). Working directly with the artefacts that we found really bolstered my interest in Aotearoa-based heritage.
“I meet people with such a diverse set of interests, yet with so much in common! I have a great group of friends and I learned so much from being out in the field. The work is definitely challenging, but equally engaging.
I enjoy the variety my conjoint degree offers. From my Anthropology major, I have been able to integrate an anthropological way of thinking and positionality into my artmaking practice in Fine Arts.
“I appreciate having both the Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland War Memorial Museum in near proximity of the City Campus – great spots for both studying and self-entertainment!
“I would like to work within the heritage sector, maybe in a specialised area like cultural conservation or in general, working with material culture and communities in New Zealand or potentially elsewhere.
“Embrace all opportunities with an open mind – you never know where they can take you.
“My degree has given me background knowledge, skills and overall confidence to pursue whatever pathway into the sector I am aiming for in the future. A Bachelor of Arts provides nuance to what is out there in the world, and an understanding that everything is multi-faceted and can be understood through many perspectives and worldviews.
“I think the Bachelor of Arts is about looking in all directions. It looks through time, how the past informs the present which will inform the future, and it encourages me to look outwards to learn about the world around me while also looking inwards to learn about myself.”