University of Pretoria (UP) Museums Art Conservator Sandra Markgraaf has been selected by Netherlands-based art restoration institute Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg (SRAL) as one of 16 participants worldwide to participate in a pilot mist-lining virtual workshop.

Mist-lining is a restorative technique that has been used to line large-scale paintings, those previously lined with wax resin or glue paste adhesives as well as smaller easel paintings.

The SRAL received a substantial number of applications from conservators around the world; in fact, “choosing the best candidates has been a challenge” said Kate Seymour, Head of Education and Paintings Conservator for the SRAL and Chair of the International Council of Museums-Committee for Conservation’s Directory Board.

“I feel privileged to be participating in the workshop, because the few conservators that there are in South Africa often work in isolation,” says Markgraaf, whose responsibility as an art conservator is to preserve and conserve the diverse collection of paintings of the UP Museums. “We need to rise above the isolation and work within wider and more global contexts to advance conservation in Africa. With the skills learned at this workshop, I will be able to make better decisions regarding remedial conservation of paintings with structural issues, and transfer skills to the upcoming generation of conservators.”

The SRAL is a leading institute that specialises in the conservation and restoration of paintings, sculptures, modern and contemporary artworks, and historic interiors. Its focus is on interdisciplinary collaboration between various restoration specialists and researchers to provide an integrated approach to conservation issues, and aims to further research, consultancy and education courses across the globe. The SRL is particularly supportive of participants from Africa.

The plenary 12-week opportunity takes place from 29 September to 15 December 2021, and is funded and supported by the Getty Foundation’s Conserving Canvas initiative. The SRAL will host a pilot virtual mist-lining workshop that includes synchronous online sessions that participants will attend at the same time, while practical experiments will be done asynchronously in a practical art conservation studio.

The virtual platform for teaching the technique of mist-lining in painting conservation also enables practical elements through the provision of a mist-lining kit, short instructional videos and a stipend to contribute to the acquisition of necessary specialist equipment to expedite the online experience.

“The opportunity for Sandra to partake in this globally recognised pilot mist-lining project adds to UP’s growing specialist expertise and will aid the art conservation of many paintings in the institution’s art collections,” said Dr Sian Tiley-Nel, Head of the UP Museums. “This experience will enhance the strategic direction of enhancing museum art conservation, and the dedicated and continuous efforts of painting conservation.”