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Conservation

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

The role of the Conservation Department is to ensure the legacy of the collection via the long-term preservation of the works that reside here or are on loan to the Gallery.

Each work of art requires intimate and specialised care. Conservators use a range of processes including documentation, analysis, treatments and preparation for exhibition. They conduct research and scientific analysis into the unique histories, materials, manufacture methods and conditions of works that come into the collection.

Conservators are highly skilled, with individuals focusing on specific areas of collection management. These include paintings, textiles, work on paper, electric and kinetic works, as well as object-based works such as bark paintings, installations and sculpture.

The Conservation Department staff are also responsible for maintaining the condition of the collection as a whole, ensuring a stable environment and providing advice on storage and display techniques.

Photograph of object conservator using flashlight to inspect cylindrical sculpture

Ewa Pachucka Landscape and bodies 1972

Objects

Objects of art in the national collection vary immensely in size, material and form. The Object Conservators are responsible for the care, preservation and restoration of the Gallery’s sculptures, decorative art pieces and cultural objects.

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Paper

The National Gallery collection comprises a diverse range of works on paper, including prints, watercolours, photographs, scrolls, screens, drawings and more.

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Photograph of conservator restoring colourful painting with paint brush

Painting conservation of Miriam Stannage, 'Aurora' 1970, Gift of the Stannage family in 2019. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.

Painting

Made of organic materials, paintings change as they age. Painting Conservators are responsible for their maintenance and preservation, as well as advising on hanging, handling and installation.

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Photograph of textile conservator working on three hanging robes on display

Henri Matisse Costume for a chamberlain c 1920, Costume for a mourner 1920 & Costume for a mandarin c 1920 from Les Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev production of Le Chant du rossignol. Purchased 1973 ©️ Succession H Matisse / Copyright Agency

Textiles

Maintaining the vision and intent of the artist is at the forefront of textile conservation. All textile objects have a natural deterioration process — slowing that down while retaining original features is the key aim of Textile Conservators.

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It's a portrait image of Urs Fischer from in front and below, so he's looking at his phone. Not yet melted enough to have any dripping wax bits

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

Time-Based Media Art

Time-based media art describes works of art that are dependent on time, duration, or function including video, film and audio artworks.

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

Preventive

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

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Related


On demand videos

On demand videos

Behind the Scenes

Conservation

Prints, pigments & poison
Conserving the vibrant works by Ethel Spowers and Eveline Syme

Print of children wearing green and black playing tug of war

Andrea Wise, Senior Conservator, Paper, explains the conservation preparation for the Spowers & Syme exhibition.

Read Time 8 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
Behind the scenes

Ask a Conservator: 2020
#AskaConservator

A team of conservators in the conservation lab

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

Read Time 18 minutes

Introduction

Image of text and date watermark underneath image of a ship

The conservation team explore the fascinating world of hidden watermarks in the works of James McNeill Whistler.

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
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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.

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

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