paper conservation services
about me
With a background in professional printing and an artistic practice in printmaking, artist books and papermaking, the decision to specialise in paper conservation during my formal studies was a no-brainer, and I’ve continued to learn and expand my understanding of paper as a material over the years. Prior to completing my Masters in Cultural Materials Conservation (University of Melbourne) I worked in cultural institutions for over a decade in exhibition management, collection management and registration across the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector. It is a privilege to be able to preserve cultural heritage collections and I take pride in doing my part to care for our collective and personal histories.
treatment ethos
The primary goal of the conservation and preservation of cultural materials is to slow down the processes of deterioration. My goal as a conservator is not necessarily to return or restore an object to its original form, as maintaining the history of an object tells us how it was made, used, and appreciated by previous generations. The objective is to stabilise the object in its current state through minimal intervention, thus prolonging its life and enriching collection accessibility for present and future generations. I strictly uphold and observe the Australian Institute for Cultural Materials Conservation (AICCM) Code of Ethics which provides a professional foundation for conservation practice in Australia.
the process
Conservation treatment begins with a condition assessment and consultation. I’ll meet with you and view your collection in person to fully understand the needs of the objects. This is an opportunity to discuss the needs of the collection, consider possible treatment options, and determine whether my skillset is appropriate for the job.
A condition report will be completed (a document used to outline the current condition of the object and any structural or aesthetic concerns it may have) and an initial treatment proposal (which may contain a few possible treatment options), including a quote, will be written and sent to you for approval.
Based on the approved proposal, treatment will commence on your collection, and all actions will be documented throughout. When the treatment is completed, the items will be returned to along with all appropriate documentation.
Treatments undertaken on objects may include:
Surface cleaning to remove loose dirt
Crease minimisation
Tear repairs and infills
Flattening paper which has become distorted
Matting and framing
Rehousing and storage solutions
Re-binding and spine stabilisation on bound items
Stain reduction*, adhesive and tape removals
Washing and lining
* Please keep in mind – entire removal of prominent stains is often difficult to achieve without risking the integrity of the paper. Staining can usually be reduced and minimised but elimination is often not possible. In some instances, washing a paper-based object in a water solution may offer additional stain-reduction benefits, in addition strengthening the chemical structure of the cellulose.
get in touch!
Do you have a collection that you would like assessed? Please contact me anytime to discuss.
Send me an email with some detail about the number of items, materials/medium, general condition and what you hope to achieve and some photos (as many as possible!) and I’ll contact you to discuss the next steps.
I look forward to working with you to care for and preserve your cultural collections.
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