at ROMULUS: Learning Beyond the University
9 October 2026
Written by Zic Liu
My three-month internship at ROMULUS Folio Gallery has been a really rewarding experience. From exhibition planning, installation and opening events to visiting art fairs and galleries, as well as exploring collaborations between art and interior design, I had the opportunity to experience different sides of the art industry and gain a better understanding of how it works in practice.
During my internship, I was involved in two exhibition projects, PRISM and Threads of Love. Among them, Threads of Love was particularly memorable for me. From the initial curatorial discussions to planning the exhibition space, arranging artworks, preparing labels and finally organising the opening event, I had the chance to be part of the whole process of bringing an exhibition from an idea to reality.
Scott is preparing for Threads of Love exhibition.
In the past, when visiting exhibitions as an audience, I usually focused more on the artworks themselves. However, after being involved in curating and installing exhibitions, I started noticing many small details that I had previously overlooked. For example, the distance between artworks, their hanging heights, the direction of lighting, and even a small artwork label can all affect the visitor experience. I realised that a well-presented exhibition is often the result of countless small adjustments behind the scenes.
From left to right: Xin Ji, Zic Liu, Angelina Mirabito, Scott Ross, Louisa Chu at Threads of Love opening night.
Besides working in the gallery, we also attended several art events, including the Affordable Art Fair in Melbourne and Sydney Contemporary. These experiences gave me the opportunity to observe different aspects of the commercial art market. I became more interested in how galleries introduce their artists, select and display artworks, and create their own visual identity within a limited exhibition space. Art fairs are also important platforms where galleries, artists, collectors and audiences can connect and communicate. As an Arts and Cultural Management student, being able to observe these processes in person was much more direct and meaningful than simply reading about them in case studies.
Scott and Angelina at Sydney Contemporary
Another memorable experience was being involved in the Marble Sea, a commissioned project by Angelina Mirabito in collaboration with interior designer Mark Alexander. This project gave me the opportunity to observe an artist's creative process up close and better understand the relationship between art and interior design.
During this project, I worked with the seven paintings from the Marble Sea series and helped with editing, proofreading and laying out the accompanying art book. What I found interesting was that this project was not just about an artist creating artworks independently, but also about collaborating with an interior designer. The paintings needed to reflect the artist's own creative expression while also considering the spaces they were designed for.
For example, one painting was created specifically for a dining room, while another was intended for a living room. This showed me how much communication and coordination can be involved between artists, designers and other people working on a project.
Previously, I had mostly experienced artworks after they were completed and displayed in museums or galleries. This project gave me a chance to see some of the preparation and work that happens before the final presentation. It was a valuable experience for me and made me more interested in the different ways art can connect with other creative industries.
This internship also taught me that things do not always go according to plan in a real working environment. Sometimes we needed to adjust plans quickly, double-check details or find solutions within a limited amount of time. Compared with university assignments, where the requirements are usually quite clear, working in a gallery requires more initiative, flexibility and teamwork. I think these are some of the most important things I have learned during my internship.
Three months may not seem like a long time, but ROMULUS has given me a wonderful opportunity to learn and gain practical experience. I really enjoy working behind the scenes and tasks such as handling and organising artworks, installing exhibitions, checking artwork information, and doing the small, detailed jobs that require patience and attention to detail. Looking back, I am really grateful for all the experiences, opportunities and support I received from Angelina and Scott over these three months.
