Artlab celebrates 20 years of caring for our treasures...

Want to find out more about repairing or preserving your treasured artefact..?

Bring it in to a Clinic Day first and third Wednesday each month. Bookings esential...

 Artlab conservation laboratories....

Artlab's conservators have been caring for the state and nation's treasures for 20 years. From rare books such as the First Fleet journals and historic outdoor sculptures to the family treasures and heirlooms of the public, each has received the same level of commitment to its preservation.

Paintings....

The paintings laboratory is where paintings of all types and construction (except water colours) and their frames are cleaned, treated to prevent and repair damage and/or given the best possible storage to protect them and prolong their life.

Some common reasons for paintings coming to Artlab are accidental damage and breakage, vandalism, water damage and environmental factors such as heat, light, smoke and airborne pollutants. Many paintings have great sentimental value and are brought in by the public at Clinic Days.

The conservators in this area need to be skilled in the use of diagnostic tools such as microscopy, infrared, ultraviolet and x-ray imaging. These tell a lot about the history of the painting, its construction, previous repairs and the techniques used to create it.

Painting conservators are trained in chemistry and applied science as they need to understand which solvents, fill materials and pigment types to use in cleaning, repairing, restoring and retouching paintings.