In the region

The Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions have quickly developed in the 20th and 21st centuries into global leaders in heritage conservation. Creating regional networks for conservators by hosting conferences, symposia, workshops and other events has helped conservators in these regions to share their knowledge and show innovation in the field.

The role of organisations such as INCCA-AP (International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art – Asia Pacific) and APTCCARN (Asia-Pacific Tropical Climate Conservation Art Research Network) are two examples from different groups working together to help advocate conservation in the region.

Conservation staff from the Balai Seni Visual Negara and CCMC Student Intern, Tessa Klein, undertaking conservation treatment at Balai Seni Visual Negara (National Visual Art Gallery), Malaysia. Photographer: Musrizal Mat Isa

INCCA-AP

INCCA-AP was formed in 2014 as a regional group of the International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art established to share and preserve the knowledge needed for the conservation of contemporary art.

The history of conservation culture as a professional discipline in the Asia Pacific is short in comparison to Europe and the United States. The intended role and function of the group are many and varied, and issues the group hopes to address include:

  • the impacts of climate on conservation
  • material culture
  • availability of materials for creative and conservation practice
  • documentation
  • trends involving combining traditional and contemporary art practices
  • conservation awareness
  • education and training opportunities

Visit the website now!

APTCCARN

The Asia-Pacific Tropical Climate Conservation Art Research Network (APTCCARN) is a collaboration between researchers to provide a forum for identifying and discussing cultural materials in the Asia-Pacific region.

APTCCARN developed from an ARC Linkage Project ‘The Behaviour of Western Artists’ Materials in Tropical Climates’ which brought together researchers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The group conducts training projects and resources and develops systems online to enable interactive research projects such as image databanks, artists databases, and environmental data.

APTCCARN has held five meetings across the Asia-Pacific region including the 4th Meeting in Taiwan – ‘Embracing Cultural Materials Conservation in the Tropics’. This event focused on Asia-Pacific’s climate, history and cultural materials conservation.

Visit the APTCCARN website to find out more and stay updated on events.

The banner image of the Boulder Town hall and has been generously supplied by AICCM member City of Kalgoorlie Boulder.