Conservation is the action taken to prevent or remedy the damage and deterioration to items of cultural significance.
The aim is to ensure the long-term preservation of works of art in a condition that respects the historical integrity and original artistic intention.
Conservation is carried out by conservators who have extensive training in the history and technology of art materials, how they respond to the environment and the processes that contribute to their deterioration.
The conservators carry out the technical analysis and treatment of works of art. In addition, they work with other staff at the Auckland Art Gallery to ensure that preventive conservation practices are maintained to a high standard and unnecessary damage is avoided.
There are 5 conservators at the Auckland Art Gallery who specialise
in the conservation of paintings or works of art on paper. They are members of the
New Zealand
Conservators of Cultural Material and
abide by the NZCCM code of ethics.
As well as the responsibilities for the Gallery collection and exhibitions, the conservators offer a conservation service to the public on a user-pays basis.
Research
The conservators contribute to the research carried out on works in the collection by examining individual items and providing information about the construction, materials, condition and age.
More detailed analyses are carried out on paintings that require extensive treatment such as Still on Top c1874 by James Tissot and currently St Sebastian c1617-18 by Guido Reni.
In addition, the conservators at the Auckland Art Gallery have also carried out research looking at the materials and techniques of a particular artist such as Frances Hodgkins, Henri Fuseli and Colin McCahon. This involves examining a number of works to gain an impression of the artist's practices. In the case of Hodgkins has resulted in the results being published in the Journal of New Zealand Art History and are available on Tate Papers. The Henri Fuseli research concentrated on the white pigment used in his paintings and the results can be dowloaded here.
Support from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and Creative New Zealand made this research possible.
Preventive conservation
The prevention of damage is always the best way of maintaining a collection in good condition. Despite the skills of the conservators, most damages can't be reversed so prevention is always preferable to treatment.
Preventive conservation can involve altering the environment and materials that the works of art are stored, displayed or transported in, as well as the way the works are handled. For example the reduction of light levels can reduce fading, and the mounting of works on paper in acid-free boards can prevent embrittlement and discoloration.
Preventive conservation isn't only suitable for museums, and that's why the pamphlet Caring for your works of art and booklet Artcare: the care of art and artifacts in New Zealand were produced.
Artcare was written by the Auckland Art Gallery conservators and specialists from around the country, and it is intended for individual collectors and small museums without conservation staff.
Treatment / preservation / restoration
The Conservators follow a code of ethics which are intended to protect the works of art. Preventive conservation is always preferable to intervention, but if treatment is necessary, then a respect for the artistic and historical integrity is a priority.
Preservation of the object may not be entirely sufficient for the work to be understandable and as a consequence restoration may be necessary. Restoration involves returning the work to a previous state and may include the reconstruction of missing areas.
These processes are illustrated by the treatment of James Tissot's Still on Top.
Conservation services for the public / advice
The Auckland Art Gallery Conservation Services is available to undertake conservation treatments, research and consultations for works on paper, photographs and paintings.
A free advisory service for conservation appraisals is available by appointment only. A charge of $50 + GST will be made for a written treatment proposal with cost estimate.
For further information or to make an appointment, please phone or email:
Paintings
Ingrid Ford and Nel Rol (64 9) 307 7711 or
Sarah Hillary (64 9) 307 7712
painting@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
Works on Paper (Including Watercolours) and Photographs
Camilla Baskcomb (64 9) 307 7723 or
Becky Cameron (64 9) 307 7724
paper@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
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