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Objects

Photograph of object conservator using flashlight to inspect cylindrical sculpture

About


Object Conservation encompasses the most varied sector of the National Collection, from the monumental works in the Sculpture Garden to delicate feathers and bark paintings, through to art that includes exciting new synthetic materials, installation and time-based media. It is a field that covers sculpture, mechanical and electrical works of art, decorative arts and cultural objects. Each material has its own mechanisms of deterioration to understand, and try to allay, through scientific analysis of the materials response to the environmental forces of light, moisture and interactions with people. Many objects have cultural aspects or artists intentions that our conservators respect through consultation prior to any interventions.

Conservators may question if a sculpture is supposed to show the effects of time by being allowed to deteriorate, or does it need to be completely repainted as it must have a pristine surface? Can it be retouched, or is this culturally inappropriate? Does it need to function and therefore need ongoing maintenance for the entire duration of its display? Does it just need new lightbulbs? Object conservators venture into research and treatments for the structural integrity of these works, treatment of their surfaces, and repairs to keep them as the artist intended.

Photograph of object conservator on a scissor lift fixing a large red wax sculpture

Urs Fischer, Francesco, 2017, Purchased with the assistance of the National Gallery of Australia Gala Fund 2019. © Urs Fischer. Courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ, London.

Photograph of object conservator kneeling and fixing large sculpture.

XU ZHEN®️, Hello, 2018–19, White Rabbit Collection, Sydney ©️ the artist

Photograph of object conservator mending a colourful large sculpture

Object conservator stitching loin cloth on Asax, Malakula, Armachtoertoer, 1973, Purchased by J-M Charpentier on behalf of the CAAB.

Photograph of object conservator welding small metal work
Photograph of object conservator on scissor lift checking large scale white sculpture

XU ZHEN®️ European Thousand-Armed Classical Sculpture 2014 (ed. 2/3) White Rabbit Collection, Sydney ©️ the artist

Stories and case studies


  • Inside Vivienne Binn’s Tower of Babel

    Photograph of conservator checking small object with light

Related


Conservation

a man using cleaning tools to perform conservation on a painting in a laboratory

The Gallery's Conservation Department ensures the legacy of the national collection via the long-term preservation of works of art.

Contacts

A list of key and general staff contacts across the Gallery.

Paper

The Gallery's Paper Conservation team incorporates Mountcutting and Framing and is responsible for the conservation and preparation of works on paper.

International Art /  Video

Jackson Pollock's 'Blue poles': What we see under UV light

screen capture of a video where a conservator is looking at a large painting of a man using a UV light to examine the canvas

Published 18 September 2020

Textiles

Photograph of textile conservator working on three hanging robes on display

All textile objects have a natural deterioration process — slowing that down while retaining original features is the key aim of Textile Conservators.

#AskaConservator: 2020

A team of conservators in the conservation lab

Our conservators have answered some of the questions you posed on 2020 Ask a Conservator Day.

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Yuuma, Gurruburri

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