Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Sitarah
Date: 1425H/2004AD. Dimensions: 640 × 340cm, Weight: 150kg.
During Installation
9 Backboards with Velcro Supports
Treatment Received
- •Manufacture of a custom crate and bespoke padded storage roller for use during the building phase of the Islamic Centre.
- •Surface cleaning with variable speed museum vacuum and smoke sponge.
- •All metallic, cotton and silk loose threads secured using conservation stitches.
- •Original lining realigned with front to prevent pulling distortion, stay lines used to secure.
- •Secure hanging mechanism with Velcro strips stitched to a heavy drill support lining.
- •Working with case makers on a bespoke design with a glass door and environmental controls.
- •Installation in a confined space on site using cherry pickers to raise Sitarah to top of display case.
Goodwood House
Gobelin Tapestry — Dom Quichotte Consulte La Tête Enchantée
Date: c.1763. This project involved disaster recovery.
During Installation
After Installation
Treatment Received
- •Deinstallation, removal of decorative frames and tacks securing the tapestry.
- •The tapestry rolled from the bottom up for removal from the wall, then re-rolled at ground level for transportation.
- •Surface cleaned with variable powered museum vacuum.
- •Spot stain treatment with deionised water over a suction table.
- •Specialised large full wet tapestry cleaning process in Belgium.
- •Failing slit stitching, exposed warps and areas of loss were supported on linen patches.
- •The tapestry was fully lined with new Velcro header tapes for hanging.
- •Installed on site with scaffolding towers.
Kingston University — Town House
Gele by Yemi Awosile, 2021
A modern artwork. In the Yoruba language, Gele is the word used for a women’s loosely folded head-dress.
In the Studio
After Installation
Treatment Received
- •Consultation advice was given on the fabrication of a hanging system in collaboration with the artist.
- •A lightweight robust aluminium mesh frame was designed and manufactured to sit behind each of the two fan shaped artworks.
- •Magnets were covered to match the front face of the works and used to hold the fabric in place.
- •The fabric was positioned with the pleats evenly spaced and sewn to the wire mesh.
- •A yearly maintenance programme has been set up with the university.
Hertfordshire County Council — Welwyn Garden City Library
Macro-gauze Hanging by Peter Collingwood
Dimensions: 280 × 450cm.
Before Treatment
After Treatment
During Wet Cleaning
Drying After Wet Cleaning
Detail Before & After
Treatment Received
- •Deinstalled using 2 scaffold towers and packed for transport.
- •Surface cleaned with variable powered museum vacuum.
- •A wash bath was created to accommodate the long lengths of weavings.
- •Isolated stains were treated with solvents during the wet clean process.
- •Full contact humidification treatment was used to re-align the threads.
- •Replacement metal supports were manufactured and the artwork re-installed at the library.
Serpentine Gallery North
Barbara Chase-Riboud — Infinite Folds Exhibition
October 2022 – April 2023. An exhibition showcasing sculptural technique and interplay between folds of cast bronze or aluminium and coils of wool and silk which are knotted, braided, looped, and woven.
Exhibition View
Sculpture Detail
Treatment Received
- •Condition checking 16 large scale sculptures before display.
- •Surface cleaning using a variable powered museum suction cleaner to remove packing debris, dust and insect remnants.
- •Surface cleaning using enzyme and deionised water cotton swabs to reduce staining.
- •Condition checks at 6 months mid-exhibition and post-exhibition.
- •Custom Tyvek cover hand stitched on site for protection during packing.
