Studies of the degradation of dyes and pigments in inks on paper, in photographic media, and on painted surfaces. The National collecting institutions (the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia,Screen Sound Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial) have collections important to our national heritage on paper, photographic film and other media which they are required by law to preserve for future generations of Australians. Surveys ....Studies of the degradation of dyes and pigments in inks on paper, in photographic media, and on painted surfaces. The National collecting institutions (the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia,Screen Sound Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial) have collections important to our national heritage on paper, photographic film and other media which they are required by law to preserve for future generations of Australians. Surveys of their collections have shown that a significant proportion of their most important collections is in need of conservation. This project aims at determining ways of conserving these valuable artefacts, and developing strategies for their display and storage.Read moreRead less
Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the fi ....Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the final finish is achieved. We will research this technique for application to unique Australian heritage materials that are important to the specific conservation needs of the Australian War Memorial, the RAAF, Navy and Army Museums, Artlab Australia, and the Art Gallery of NSW.Read moreRead less
Archaeological conservation: the development of analysis and assessment protocols for adhesives used on archaeological pottery. The development of routine adhesive testing and assessment methodologies will provide conservation laboratories with the relevant knowledge to test adhesives before use. This will result in the timely identification of formulation changes, thus preventing the use of inferior adhesive products that no longer perform to conservation standards. This preventive approach is ....Archaeological conservation: the development of analysis and assessment protocols for adhesives used on archaeological pottery. The development of routine adhesive testing and assessment methodologies will provide conservation laboratories with the relevant knowledge to test adhesives before use. This will result in the timely identification of formulation changes, thus preventing the use of inferior adhesive products that no longer perform to conservation standards. This preventive approach is highly cost effective and will have a positive impact on the preservation of archaeological pottery and other cultural collections. Furthermore, the expertise developed with this project can be extended to adhesives used to repair other cultural materials and contemporary collections made from synthetic polymer based materials. Read moreRead less
Determining the age and origins of Indonesian and Indian trade textiles: multidisciplinary research in art history and conservation science. The National Gallery of Australia holds a world-renowned collection of Asian textiles and Australian art historians, conservators and curators are international leaders in the field of research, conservation and exhibition of Asian textiles. On this project they join forces to advance international understanding of the antiquity and identity of historical ....Determining the age and origins of Indonesian and Indian trade textiles: multidisciplinary research in art history and conservation science. The National Gallery of Australia holds a world-renowned collection of Asian textiles and Australian art historians, conservators and curators are international leaders in the field of research, conservation and exhibition of Asian textiles. On this project they join forces to advance international understanding of the antiquity and identity of historical production centres in India and Indonesia through selected carbon dating and physical analysis of key textile types from museum collections and the field. The results will assist in the reliable, inexpensive and non-intrusive guidelines for other collecting institutions to assess the age and origins of textiles in their care.Read moreRead less
Bronze Age textiles from Dong Son coffins in Vietnam. This multi-disciplinary project breaks new ground in Southeast Asian archaeology by incorporating excavation with the conservation and analysis of a unique assemblage of prehistoric textiles already located in Dong Son coffins in the Red River delta. In recognition of the cultural significance of the archaeological materials to Vietnam, conservators are involved in the excavation process to reduce physical damage and the loss of fragile mate ....Bronze Age textiles from Dong Son coffins in Vietnam. This multi-disciplinary project breaks new ground in Southeast Asian archaeology by incorporating excavation with the conservation and analysis of a unique assemblage of prehistoric textiles already located in Dong Son coffins in the Red River delta. In recognition of the cultural significance of the archaeological materials to Vietnam, conservators are involved in the excavation process to reduce physical damage and the loss of fragile materials during recovery. The research will also contribute to Southeast Asian (and Vietnamese) archaeology by providing some new insights into the cultural interaction between South China and Vietnam during the late
prehistoric period.Read moreRead less
The twentieth century in paint. The art market is a major contributor to the Australian economy worth over $500M per annum. However many modern works created with new materials introduced in the 20th century in Australia and Southeast Asia exhibit problems with deterioration, and there is little research on the use and effects of these materials. Without answers to material based preservation questions collectors, curators and conservators cannot make informed decisions. This project, with partn ....The twentieth century in paint. The art market is a major contributor to the Australian economy worth over $500M per annum. However many modern works created with new materials introduced in the 20th century in Australia and Southeast Asia exhibit problems with deterioration, and there is little research on the use and effects of these materials. Without answers to material based preservation questions collectors, curators and conservators cannot make informed decisions. This project, with partners in Australia, Asia, US and UK will provide fundamental information to assist in formulating management strategies, inform curatorship and develop innovative approaches to conservation and the manufacture of art materials.Read moreRead less
The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Environments. This project is a study of the behaviour of western artists materials in tropical climates through the visual examination and scientific analysis of both simulated and aged paintings from four museums in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This will form new methodologies and guidelines for the preventive care, transportation, storage and conservation treatment of western artists materials in hot, humid climates. ....The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Environments. This project is a study of the behaviour of western artists materials in tropical climates through the visual examination and scientific analysis of both simulated and aged paintings from four museums in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This will form new methodologies and guidelines for the preventive care, transportation, storage and conservation treatment of western artists materials in hot, humid climates. The success of this project will have profound implications on the analytical techniques available for conservation research.Read moreRead less