Meet the art world’s secret weapon

In the frenzy of art fairs and gallery exhibitions, we sometimes forget the level of care taken to preserve the artwork we see all around us. Whether from accidental damage, deterioration or aging, art needs to be repaired and maintained to ensure its longevity. In this science-based practice, experts use techniques to conserve objects ranging from repairing damage to simply cleaning or restoring an artefact to its original state. The Affordable Art Fair NYC wanted to know more about this essential component of the art world, so they sat down with Chief Conservator, Gloria Velandia Ludmer of GV Art Conservation to talk about how conservation is a critical component to owning any artwork.

Tell us about the importance of art conservation in today’s art market!

Collectors, galleries and advisors have become more aware of the importance of working with a reputable and experienced conservator, and understand that the condition of a given artwork prior to acquisition is important information that can greatly affect longevity and purchase price. In the past few years, the number of requests I receive to provide condition reports, as well as conservation treatments before a sale, increased dramatically. The growing awareness that art purchases are contingent upon condition reports is very important for all parties involved in a transaction, especially on high valued artworks.

What does a conservator’s typical day look like?

For conservators in private practices like me, there really is no typical day. Depending on client needs, I may find myself performing an evaluation at a gallery for a condition report, restoring a monumental sculpture at a collector’s residence in another country, or at my NY studio working on treatments with my staff conservators. There are also last minute requests and emergencies that can change my daily schedule – such as a broken water pipe in a residence that damages an artwork. We often function like an Emergency Room for art – triaging treatments based on many factors such as how urgently a treatment needs to be done to save an artwork or when a potential transaction is about to take place. There is never a dull moment.

What is the most difficult task of your job?

I’m not sure if there is a task that is the most difficult, because all of our projects are challenging in their own ways. However, my least favourite part of any project is writing reports. Because my clients rely on my professional opinion, I need to ensure that I cover all of the issues before making any quotation, statement of condition or treatment protocols in my documented proposals.

What is your most favourite type of medium to work with?

I love working with all sorts of contemporary materials and objects, but my very favourite would be traditional oil paintings. In my experience, a traditional oil painting is commonly the most rewarding piece to restore because the results can be more dramatic.

What can collectors of contemporary art do to keep their artworks in top shape in their homes?

This is actually a surprisingly complex question to answer. It entirely depends on the type of artwork, but generally speaking it’s usually wise to minimize its exposure to light (especially sunlight) and heat. One great way to do this would be to avoid placing a work too close to windows. It is also important to keep your home properly acclimatized and avoid drastic changes in temperature and humidity. If you would like to lightly dust or clean an artwork, it would be best to receive special instructions from the gallery or artist. For any types of damage or delicate matters, certainly consult with an experienced conservator.