Chiharu Shiota, Japan, born 1972, Absence Embodied, 2018, Berlin and Adelaide, wool, bronze, plaster 16 hands, (dimensions variable); Gift of the Gwinnett family through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2018, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, © Chiharu Shiota/Copyright Agency

The range of skills, expertise and knowledge of our conservators positions Artlab at the forefront of caring for modern art creations, and clients include private individuals, art dealers, corporate collectors, public art bodies and local and state government.

Contemporary art practices encompass an almost infinite array of materials, from traditional painting and sculpting techniques to practically every conceivable modern material, and range broadly across all mediums: studio based art, film audio and film imagery.

The conceptual aspect may be paramount in an artist’s work, and the artist’s intent, the purpose in making an art work is not always straightforward; the ephemeral and transient, the notion of permanence and durability may be factors in the assessment of the approach to conserving and caring for contemporary art collections.

We work collaboratively with artists, curators and owners of contemporary art to address the complex issues associated with the exhibition and long term preservation of contemporary artworks across all media. This may include documenting artists’ aims and opinions regarding the future of their artworks, developing innovative methods for installation, advice on longevity of materials and construction techniques, maintenance of ‘operating’ components, rapid response and creative problem-solving for unexpected issues during display, and management of time-based and digital media.