Skip to main content
Skip to footer Skip to Acknowledgement of Country
National Gallery of Australia
What's On Art & Artists Visit
Login
  1. Home
  2. Art & Artists
  3. Conservation
  4. Textiles

Textiles

Photograph of textile conservator working on three hanging robes on display

About


The National Gallery of Australia’s Textile Conservation team cares for a diverse range of textiles; including couture fashion, large tapestries, ancient burial textiles, Ballet Russes costumes, Asian ceremonial cloths and 3D sculptural installations.

Textile conservators have the privilege of handling and examining works of art in detail using various analytical techniques to determine how they have been designed and constructed. This scientific examination is fully documented and assists the conservator in understanding how the textile might behave during treatment and how it may deteriorate in the future.

Maintaining the intent and artistic vision of the artist along with any cultural requirements underpins textile conservation treatments at the NGA. These vary considerably depending on the fragility and stability of the textile fibres and may involve combinations of aqueous or solvent based stain removal, washing, stitching and adhesive restoration. Applications of any new materials during treatment must be identifiable as new, and easily reversible.

Providing safe storage and supports whilst on display with the use of archival materials is an important factor in prolonging the life of a textile object. Individual supports and coverings are made within custom built storage boxes and mannequins are constructed to fit unique body shapes.

Close up photograph of conservator fixing colourful textile on table

Conservation work being undertaken on Punjab region, India or Pakistan, Ceremonial cover or woman’s head-covering [phulkari], mid 20th century, Gift of Claudia Hyles, 2006

Two women examine a sequinned garment laying flat on a table in a conservation lab

Textile conservator and curator examine DI$COUNT UNIVER$E (fashion house), 'I am not sorry, I am not for sale, I am not for reproduction', embellished slip, 2018, from the 2019 Spring collection WOMEN, gift of the artists 2020

Photograph of two conservators observing deflated balloon on the grass.

Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2019-2020, Commissioned with the assistance of The Balnaves Foundation 2019. Purchased 2020.

Close up photograph of textile conservator fixing red material
Photograph of kimonos being attended to by textile conservators.

Installation view of Meiji period (1868-1912), Robe [kimono], early 20th century, Purchased 1996.

Photograph of pink Chanel suit being fixed by conservators and photographed

Gabrielle Chanel for Chanel, Woman's three-piece suit, c1966, Gift of Mrs AJ Powell 1993

Photograph of black dress on mannequin being photographed behind the scenes

Issey Miyake, Woman's 'Flying saucer' ensemble, Spring-Summer 1994, Purchased 1997.


Stories and Case Studies


  • 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 10 minutes

Related


Conservation

Preventive

Two women enclose a paper-wrapped object in a plastic bag to undergo preventative conservation

The Preventative Conservation team’s aim is to preserve all works of art by controlling the environment in which they are displayed and stored.

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.

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

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 7 minutes
Conservation

Objects

Photograph of object conservator using flashlight to inspect cylindrical sculpture

Object Conservation encompasses the most varied sector of the collection, from monumental works in the Sculpture Garden to delicate bark paintings.

Australian Art /  Video

British makers on board the Rajah en route to Hobart 'The Rajah quilt'

Published 16 December 2010

The Rajah Quilt is one of Australia's important early textiles made by women convicts on the ship Rajah en route from England to Van Diemens land.

2 minutes

Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

  • National Gallery On Demand
  • Art & Artists
  • What's On
  • Visit
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Jobs
  • About Us

Connect

+61 2 6240 6411
information@nga.gov.au
Get art in your inbox

Open every day

(except Christmas day)
10am – 5pm

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT 2600

View Street Map
View Gallery Map


Contact us

National Gallery of Australia

Follow the National gallery of Australia on:

  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Website Privacy Website Disclaimer Website Copyright
Opening Acknowledgment of Country

The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

Learn More
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
    • View All
    • Today
    • Exhibitions
    • On tour
    • Access Programs
    • All Programs
    • On Demand
    • About the Collection
    • Sculpture Garden
    • Kenneth E. Tyler Collection
    • Provenance
    • Conservation
    • Copyright
    • Search the Collection
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Getting Here
    • Parking & Transport
    • Art Store
    • Dining
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Research Library & Archives
    • Admission tickets
    • Browse Stories
    • Browse Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Audio Tours
    • Virtual Tours
    • The Annual
    • Publications
    • Learning Programs
    • For people with access needs
    • For Teachers & Students
    • For Young People
    • For Kids & Families
    • For Adults
    • For Your Community
    • Art Cases
    • Educator Programs
    • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Voluntary Guides
    • Partnerships
    • Support
    • Donate
  • First Nations
  • Access
  • Art Store
  • Media
  • Venue Hire
  • About Us
  • Contacts