Macquarie University: Assessment and Conservation of Outdoor Sculptures

Overview

ICS conducted a conservation needs assessment of over 100 sculptures in the Macquarie University Sculpture Collection.

We provided a report detailing brief condition notes and priority ratings for conservation treatment.

Works have been carried out annually since by ICS to conserve and maintain selected works, based on the priorities identified as well as the client’s needs.

Year

2020 - Present

Client

Macquarie University

Services

  • Public art conservation
  • Sculpture conservation

Awards

Condition

Key Deliverables

  • Annual assessment of priority artworks
  • Cleaning of the selected artworks
  •  Corrosion treatment of the selected artworks
  • Cleaning of the surrounding plinths and locations, including vegetation removal
  • Reapplication of protective coatings
  • Provision of full conservation treatment reports

Treatment

Challenging aspects

  • Breadth of materials across collection-interdisciplinary approaches required
  • Large geographic area of artwork placement

Preservation outcomes

  • Replenishment of protective coatings that are working well to preserve the underlying surfaces and substrates in the parkland setting
  • Increasing visibility and activity around the highly visible artworks in the university collection
  • Monitoring for structural issues, increasing the safety and security of the artworks

Before treatment

After treatment

Testimonial

You have done a beautiful job on the Graduates sculptures, both look truly amazing, what a great job done as it will make a huge difference for graduates taking photographs of their special day.

Rhonda D.

Senior Curator

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