The Changing Work of the Paper Conservator

This virtual seminar looks at the changing nature of the work of the independent paper conservator from traditional restoration of prints and watercolours to the present dominance of the contemporary art market and the demands this places on paper conservators to meet the market expectations. The challenges include large, machine-made papers and the use of inherently unstable materials. At Artworks Conservation, Richard Hawkes has been developing the use of modern, digital technology to create archival-quality facsimiles of documents and manuscripts for use in museum displays.  The increasing realism and detail achievable means that light sensitive materials can be replaced with copies  – thereby allowing longer periods of display.  The possible future of this area and the ethical considerations are discussed.

Richard Hawkes studied History of Art and followed by an MA in Conservation of Fine Art (Works on Paper) at Northumbria University in Newcastle. He was a paper conservation intern at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford before joining Museum Conservation Services Ltd in Cambridge. He also taught on the conservation programmes at Camberwell College of Art as a visiting tutor.  In 2004, he established his own studio, Artworks Conservation Ltd, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and continues to provides conservation services for museums, galleries and institutions, as well as art dealers and private collectors.