Wunglengton Yazing Shimray

Biography

Wunglengton has been drawn to cultural diversity, creative and aesthetic works since he studied at university. He views his present job as Director of Museums in the Directorate of Museums, Government of Assam as the culmination of a two-decade journey in the field.

As head of the office Wunglengton inspects, monitors and supervises the functioning of the 75 year old Assam State Museum, 7 district Museums and 3 smaller museums. Besides supervising administration and supporting 99 officials, all schemes and policies are planned and prepared under his directives.

Due to the high level of coordination needed in his daily work, his main areas of interest in terms of learning and training are Museum administration, leadership and security. He is also interested in learning more about the use of museums as education centres. He hopes to formulate plans and policy to re-organise and expand the museums in Assam in areas such as infrastructure, human resources, documentation, technology and services.

In 2016 Wunglengton oversaw the exhibition Life and Works of Sir Marc Aurel Stein, a Hungarian Orientalist at Assam State Museum, which opened in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. Wunglengton also oversaw Re-ORG Assam with ICCROM, Rome and IGNCA, New Delhi and a Peace Count workshop and exhibition with IGSSS, Guwahati.

At the British Museum
During his time on the International Training Programme in 2014, Wunglengton was based in the Asia Department and his partner placement was spent at Glasgow Museums.

In 2014 participants were asked to prepare a project outlining an exhibition proposal based on the Asahi Shimbun Displays – a temporary exhibition in Room 3 at the British Museum.  Wunglengton’s exhibition project proposal was entitled, The Vrindavani Vastra: A Celestial Delight.

Wunglengton’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the RA Association.

Legacy Projects
In November 2015 Wunglengton attended the ITP Mumbai Workshop Creating Museums of World Stories. The workshop was held at CSMVS and was attended by many ITP fellows from different years and countries, UK partners and British Museum Colleagues.

ITP Newsletter Publications
ITP Newsletter Issue 4 (2017), Being brave, taking risks: Innovation and bravery in exhibitions – Good horn, good brakes, good luck