DAM Sydney 2025

Jonathan Stokkland is the Digitisation Coordinator at the Powerhouse Museum, where he manages the capture of an extraordinarily diverse collection of objects that spans from the microscopic cultures of penicillin to the monumental power of the Apollo F-1 rocket engine. He brings a unique cross-disciplinary expertise to this role, combining over a decade of experience in high-end commercial production with a Master of Photomedia and a foundation in software development.

At the Powerhouse, Jonathan’s work focuses on strengthening the crucial link between world-class imaging and the foundational needs of a DAMS. He champions an approach where technical excellence, from photography to 3D imaging, and rich contextual metadata are treated as inseparable. By documenting not only the 'how' and 'why' of the capture process but also an object’s intrinsic materiality and the specific intent of its reproduction, his work aims to elevate a foundational digital record into a verifiable, research-grade digital surrogate, ensuring it has the sophistication to support the unforeseen of the future.

Jonathan’s seeks to foster collaborative partnership between the creators of digital assets, subject matter experts, and the systems experts that manage them. He believes the key lies in developing flexible frameworks that empower non-specialists to contribute their vital contextual knowledge without compromising data integrity. He is passionate about this integrated approach to ensure cultural collections remain not just preserved, but truly interpretable and authentic for generations to come.