Conservation and Restoration of Clear Coatings on Furniture and ...

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■ Directly influenced by my research, <strong>and</strong> the work my business undertakes, are the staff my firm employs. As
training for furniture conservators is non-existent in Australia, I attempt to install in my staff a grounded
underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> furniture conservation, knowledge <strong>of</strong> related materials, practical h<strong>and</strong> skills <strong>and</strong> the associated
principles <strong>and</strong> ethics. I would hope to inspire them to travel widely <strong>and</strong> to learn additionally from a broader base
which will help them recognise their level <strong>of</strong> competency <strong>and</strong> to question <strong>and</strong> to think independently, increasing
their lateral thinking <strong>and</strong> problem solving capability which is most important to furniture conservation/restoration.
This is particularly the case in Australia where we do not have the support <strong>of</strong> fellow pr<strong>of</strong>essionals to bounce
ideas <strong>of</strong>f.
4.5 Further skill gaps
Due to the fact that there has never ever has been any form <strong>of</strong> education for furniture conservators in Australia,
combined with the fact that none are employed by institutions with Australia, there has been little chance for a forum
to exist where furniture conservators can pool together to discuss issues <strong>and</strong> deficiencies in the furniture
conservation fields. Institutions normally harbour an environment where academic knowledge can be increased,
where research <strong>and</strong> experimentation can occur. Without these facilities in Australia furniture conservators are forced
to work in the private sector which is not conducive to un-paid research, experimentation or the academic
advancement <strong>of</strong> the field.
Furniture conservators working in private practise have little time to invest in research or the furthering <strong>of</strong> academic
material. Most furniture conservators I know personally work far in excess <strong>of</strong> 60 hours a week. To gain knowledge
or to advance ones skills requires self education <strong>and</strong> the necessary time <strong>and</strong> investment. Access to information from
abroad has become easier with the use <strong>of</strong> electronic media, though as in many instances literature alone cannot
digress all knowledge. Personally I estimate that I spend between 80 – 90 hours per week working in my business
combined with self education. Travelling is a necessity to ensure skills <strong>and</strong> knowledge are updated. This is a
massive financial burden on a small business.
<strong>Conservation</strong> science <strong>and</strong> material chemistry in Australia is also an area which has much room for improvement.
Abroad conservators can work in conjunction with specialist conservation scientists who can perform the analysis
<strong>and</strong> material research in order to determine the best treatment for the individual object. This skill gap exists in all
mediums <strong>of</strong> conservation in Australia, though as furniture conservators are generally outside the institutional loop,
access is even more difficult.
The cross over <strong>of</strong> the conservation <strong>and</strong> surface coating industry is also non existent. Several specialised paint
companies in Australia produce coatings sympathetic with traditional receipts <strong>and</strong> do aim for heritage markets.
These companies are genuinely interested in conservation issues <strong>and</strong> the potential use <strong>of</strong> products for conservation,
though they still don’t have the resources <strong>of</strong> large chemical manufacturers to invest in independent research.
Other conservation fields <strong>and</strong> institutions are generally unaware <strong>of</strong> the lack <strong>of</strong> expertise in Australia for furniture
conservators. Often this will result in furniture conservators taking on work that they are not trained for.