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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.

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

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.

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

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

Stories and case studies


Conservation

Analysing the Ambum Stone
Conservation analysis and treatment

A small prehistoric stone carved object in the form of an animal the resembles a long-beaked echidna.

A lucky find following a breakage allowed the National Gallery’s Conservation team to date and analyse the rare and mysterious Ambum stone.

Read Time 5 minutes
Conservation

Inside Vivienne Binns’s Tower of Babel

Photograph of conservator checking small object with light

Vivienne Binns's Tower of Babel 1989 is a sculpture of 80 small dioramas mounted onto a wooden substrate and elevated on a pedestal.

Read Time 3 minutes
Conservation

How to fly Brancusi's Birds

Photo image of two curved and slim abstract sculptures, one in black and one in white

Installing Birds in Space by Constantin Brancusi is a complex, delicate procedure – writes Beata Tworek, Objects Conservator.

Read Time 5 minutes

Related


Conservation

Analysing the Ambum Stone
Conservation analysis and treatment

A small prehistoric stone carved object in the form of an animal the resembles a long-beaked echidna.

A lucky find following a breakage allowed the National Gallery’s Conservation team to date and analyse the rare and mysterious Ambum stone.

Read Time 5 minutes
Paintings & Sculpture

Blue poles: a new perspective

Blue poles carried by conservators behind a display of Tiffany lamps

Senior Conservator David Wise reflects on working on one of the most iconic paintings in the national collection

Read Time 10 minutes
Conservation

The Rajah Quilt – 1841

Photo of Square quilt with embroidery

The conservation team explore the Rajah Quilt's story of hope and persistence

Read Time 8 minutes
Conservation

Meet a conservator
Alysha Redston, Time-Based Media Conservator

Portrait of Alysha Redston, Conservator, Time Based Media standing in front of Rebecca Horn's Les Amants [The lovers] 1991

Meet the National Gallery's first Time-Based Media Conservator

Read Time 12 minutes

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.

Conserving Givenchy
Photo essay

Coloured photograph of hands holding a detail of the Givenchy label on a blue cocktail dress

'Fabric is the most extraordinary thing; it has life.' Hubert Givenchy

Read Time 7 minutes
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Yuuma, Gurruburri

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