AICCM Symposium 2006, Conservation of Paper, Books and Photographic Materials. Post-prints and Posters. 19-21 April 2006, Wellington, New Zealand. p97-116

Abstract

Works of art on paper come in many shapes and sizes and routinely cross the boundaries of other conservation disciplines. The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has numerous examples of unconventional works of art on paper in the collection. These works often pose extraordinary problems for display, storage and travel. This paper outlines four case studies to illustrate these challenges. Each of the works of art are particularly fragile and have inherent problems associated with their construction. The case studies are:

  • Leaf Litter (2000g2003) by Fiona Hall. 183 gouache paintings on banknotes.
  • Red Rain (2003) by Dadang Christanto. Wool, laminated joss paper, gold leaf, ink and pigments.
  • Sandwich Man (L’Homme Sandwich) (1926), Publicity Man (L’Homme Reclam) (1926) and Costume Model of a Martian Guard for the Film Aelita (c.1923) – three puppets by Alexandra Exter. Watercolour and collage on cardboard with wood, cotton, string, bookcloth, copper, sequins, steel tacks, bridge nails, steel wire and eyelets. Bote-en-valise (1942-1954) by Marcel Duchamp. Cardboard and wooden box containing miniature replicas and reproductions of works by the artist.

The paper outlines the preparation of the works for display, transport and storage by NGA paper conservators.

Conference:
4th Book, Paper & Photographs Symposium, 2006
Paper author:
Fiona Kemp, Andrea Wise, James Ward
Year:
2006
Download:
AICCM_BP2006_Kemp_p97-116.pdf