Sophie Barton specialises in the conservation of decorative surfaces and polychrome wooden sculpture, having worked as a freelance conservator for churches and cathedrals and currently working commercially for private clients, institutions and historic houses. Recent conservation work involves carrying out condition assessments, collection surveys and practical treatments in situ and workshop based. Major projects over the last few years have included the conservation of lacquer and japanned furniture for The National Trust and historic properties in England and Wales.
EMPLOYMENT
2015 – Present Conservator at Tankerdale Ltd, specialising in the conservation of decorative surfaces, japanning, lacquer and polychrome wood.
2015 – Independent supervisor/lecturer for the Wood Module at City & Guilds of London Art School Conservation Department.
2009-2013 – Sculpture restorer in the sculpture department of the CRRCOA (Regional Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art) Vesoul, France. The work consisted of the conservation of polychrome objects, ranging from small wooden sculptures, to large composite altarpieces and church furniture.
2008 – Conservation of the string course at St. Johns College, Cambridge, under the supervision of Sarah Healey-Dilkes and Jonathan Kemp.
2008 – Two weeks emergency fixing of polychromy on medieval church screens, Norfolk, under the supervision of Pauline Plummer.
2007 – Conservation of a 12th century wall painting at Torquay Abbey and cleaning of alabaster and limestone monuments, Kent with the Wall Paintings Workshop.
2006 – Conservation of a decorative ceiling, Norwich Union with Kiffy Stainer-Hutchins
2006 – Conservation of the Rood Screen and Organ Cover (Comper) at Lound Church Suffolk, under the supervision of Pauline Plummer.
2006 – Conservation of an 18th century wall painting, Mereworth Church, Kent, with The Wall Paintings Workshop.
2006 – Paint survey of a 20th century ceiling, Norwich Union, with Ms. Kiffy Stainer-Hutchins.
EXPERIENCE / WORKSHOPS
2015 – Workshop on the conservation and restoration of Urushi (Japanese Lacquer) (Tobunken) Cologne.
2014 – Workshop in the Conservation and restoration of Urushi (Japanese Lacquer) (Tobunken) Cologne.
2008-9 – Internship in the sculpture department at CRRCOA (Regional Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art) Vesoul, France.
2006 – Presented poster on laser cleaning of bone and ivory at ‘Lasers for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage’ in State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
2005 – Conservation of stonework for re-installation in the Medieval Gallery, Archaelogical Conservation Department, under the supervision of Rebecca Lang, Museum of London.
2005 – Conservation of wall paintings, attributed to Antonio Verrio, Reigate Priory School under the supervision of The Wall Paintings Workshop.
EDUCATION
2014-2015 – HLF funded ICON Internship in decorative surfaces on furniture at Tankerdale Ltd.
2008-9 – Internship in the sculpture department at CRRCOA (Regional Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art) Vesoul, France.
2007-8 – Nine month Internship in the polychrome wood studio, KIK-IRPA, Brussels.
2007 – Paid internship in the polychrome sculpture studio, under the supervision of Arnold Truyen, SRAL, Maastricht.
2004-2006 – Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation, City & Guilds of London Art School. (1:1)
2001-2004 – History of Art, BA Hons, University of York. (2:1)