Book publishing in China during 1920s-1940s:

An insight on the history, printing techniques, paper manufacturing and collection survey

Yuhong Zhang presents her findings obtained during the conservation survey at the Baillieu Library of the University of Melbourne. The talk covers the broad range of publishing sectors like paper making, printing and binding methods and also describes publication distribution between the 1920s-1940s.

Captain S.A. White Eggs Labels

Iron Gall Inks and a Bridge Between Conservation and Contemporary Art

Jorji Gardener presents her experience with the treatment of a large scale of historical museum labels of the egg collection of Captain S.A. White from the South Australian Museum.

The Australian Cultural Collection Rehousing Storage Project at the South Australian Museum

Renita Ryan discusses and shows photos of a recent project to upgrade the storage furniture and housing of the South Australian Museum’s Australian collection.

The Oleograph Conundrum:

A complex treatment through the hands of multiple conservators

In 2015 a framed oleograph of a port scene in Lyme Regis found its way to Artlab for assessment and conservation. Over the years the conservation treatment of the oleograph was started and worked on by several conservators and completed in 2021 by paper conservator Laura Daenke. Along the way, she encountered many ethical considerations and treatment difficulties. For this chinwag Laura will discuss the challenges faced during the treatment, from both the ethical and practical points of view. Varnish: to remove or not to remove? Tylose: a substitute for varnishing? Backing removal and washing: advantages and disadvantages.

Alwin Clemens Electrophotography

A wooden box containing a mysterious mix of glass and metal plates, created by the scientist Alwin Clements, arrived at Artlab Australia in 2017. The box is in the custody of the Migration Museum -History Trust of South Australia.

Monitoring Ageing Processes of Paper Artefacts by Means of Quantitative Hyperspectral Imaging

Can this object go in an exhibition? For how long? Has this exhibition caused a damage to the object? How can I assess in a quantitative way the risk of a damage that has already occurred or that might occur in the future? This presentation aims to offer a possible path to answer these questions. A report on some practical experiences in the use of quantitative hyperspectral imaging for the monitoring of ageing process in works of art on paper and archival material during exhibitions.

A recently discovered map of Adelaide:

3D scanning and a multianalytical investigation

In January 2020, a framed map of Adelaide dated December 1838 belonging to the Migration Museum (History Trust of South Australia) came to the Paper & Books lab of Artlab Australia for condition assessment and rehousing.