KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — The humid tropical climate and high levels of light exposure pose a silent threat to the longevity of artworks, thus underscoring the need for more sustainable research and conservation efforts rooted in local knowledge.
Senior chief curator of the Collection and Conservation Section at the National Art Galery Tan Hui Koon said high humidity and lighting levels were among the main challenges in preserving the material integrity of artworks in the country over the long term.
“Art objects, like humans, need sunscreen. They have to be protected using tinted glass or museum-standard glass that can effectively reflect ultraviolet (UV) light,” she told Bernama at the gallery recently.
She said organic materials such as textiles, canvas and wood readily absorb moisture, resulting in repeated expansion and contraction that eventually affects the structural integrity and paint layers of artworks.
Tan said the situation shows that art conservation is not merely about repairing damage, but requires a preventive approach encompassing environmental control and appropriate handling and storage techniques.
“If an artwork is damaged, it is impossible to fully restore it to its original condition once some of its material has been lost. However, we try to restore its material integrity so that the artwork can still be displayed to visitors,” she said.
As such, the National Art Gallery will host the seventh Asia-Pacific Tropical Climate Conservation Art Research Network (APTCCARN) conference, bringing together international conservation experts to share research on how art materials respond to tropical climates.
The conference will bring together experts from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and the Philippines to study material responses, particularly those of Western paintings, to the tropical climate in the region.
The APTCCARN is scheduled to be held from Dec 7-9 in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, and will also take participants to explore heritage sites in Lenggong through a special programme organised in collaboration with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), the Department of National Heritage (JWN) and People of Remarkable Talents (PORT)
Tan said that this year’s event would also place emphasis on local knowledge and intergenerational sharing, including disaster response methods and conservation approaches suited to the geographical context of individual countries, rather than just adopting methods from the West.
The conference will also discuss climate change issues, disaster management, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, materials research technology and ethics in conservation, in addition to encouraging the sharing of resources between institutions.
Tan said the APTCCARN also played an important role in shaping the next generation of conservators through the transfer of knowledge and experience, in addition to expanding the understanding that the field combines elements of art, science, research and technology.
She described the event as a golden opportunity to see the development of conservation in Malaysia since its inaugural event in 2008.
“It will also strengthen international networks that have the potential to bring Malaysian expertise and artistic heritage onto the world stage,” she added. — Bernama
