Our story
More than 35 years of fine arts and heritage conservation
Over the years we’ve worked on a remarkable array of objects, artworks and collections. Our clients include every national collecting institution, most state collecting institutions, governments and corporations, every major university, regional and local galleries and museums, and countless private individuals. We value every one of them.
35+
Years’ service
150,000+
Objects conserved
300+
Conservators employed
20+
State and National Awards
Our story
1980s
Beginnings
In the late 1980s Julian Bickersteth perceived a lack of widely accessible conservation services in Australia.
Julian believed that a diverse team of private sector experts could make a real difference, and help tend the very substantial heritage collections held outside of public collecting institutions. His vision was to establish an all-encompassing provider of materials conservation services.
Julian brought together a small group of highly qualified conservators to help realise his vision, and together they quickly built a reputation for undertaking complex conservation work to museum standards. Important projects in this period included the installation of two major exhibitions at Expo 88 in Brisbane, the ‘Treasures of the Holy See’ for the Vatican, and ‘Captain James Cook, Navigator’ for the UK National Maritime Museum.
Initially known as Campbell Conservation, in June 1991, Julian established International Conservation Services as the company we know today.
1990s
Expansion
Building on its initial offering of furniture, paper, textiles and paintings conservation, ICS quickly expanded to include objects, built heritage and outdoor cultural material.
Consulting services also joined the mix in the 1990s, in the areas of preventive conservation, collections management, exhibition management, and architectural conservation and archaeological conservation.
In 2004 ICS opened its Canberra office to provide art security, collection technology systems, museum planning and collections management at a national level, as well as extending materials conservation services into the ACT.
ICS Melbourne followed in 2018, beginning with a strong focus on archaeological and objects conservation. Most recently, ICS Perth opened its office in 2022.
2000s
The future
ICS leaders are now planning the next 3 decades, with the goal of providing innovative, sustainable conservation solutions to Australia and beyond.
Julian now concentrates on undertaking work on important national and international platforms to share knowledge and experience between Australia and the world. He mentors the next generation of conservators to ensure ICS continues to be a place for both emerging and experienced conservators to hone their skills as conservators and leaders in their field.
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Awards
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Talk to us
Passionate about conserving art and cultural heritage
Our expert team would love to help you find solutions to your conservation and heritage needs. Get in touch today.