Life after graduation: ceramics conservation

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- By Elena Novković

Originally a Fine Artist, my career as a creative has gone through several stages of evolution throughout the years. Completing a BA (Hons) in Illustration & Visual Media at UAL expanded my artistic mediums into printing as well as digital media. Following these studies conservation sparked an interest that exponentially grew and lead to the pursuit of a career in the field. 

Through completing a graduate diploma I continued to the MA studies in the conservation of ceramics and related materials at the renowned West Dean College. My thesis investigated nanocellulose as a potential alternative to traditional fill materials for semi-precious stone, and I have been fortunate enough to expand on my interest in materials research in my current position. Part of my role as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland is conducting investigations into alternatives to Paraloid B-72 in the mortar repairs on stone buildings, driven by the need for conservation to work towards a sustainable future in the heritage sector.

Stone conservation wasn't something I had planned for my career - like the experience of a lot of conservators, it ended up being something I sort of fell into. And even luckier for me, it has ended up being something I very much enjoy. My training was in ceramics and related materials, so I learned how to apply core principles and techniques over a range of different types of objects, and I think in this profession adaptability is essential. I would love to spend a lifetime learning all sorts of specialisms, it's a dream I've heard echoed many times by colleagues, and stone interested me as it felt like a natural step towards that - albeit quite a big step when you scale up from a porcelain teacup to a Cathedral.

Science and art have been intertwined in my work for many years, as an Illustrator I made a lot of work that explored biological and psychological themes. I knew illustration wasn't a career I saw for myself in the long run, however conservation felt like a perfect combination between my creative and academic interests in which West Dean came highly recommended to pursue it further. My time there really shaped the way I consider tangible and intangible values, how it's important to respect that even if I don't feel particularly drawn to an object it could still mean the world to someone else.

I'm part of the High Level Masonry team (meaning anything above 1.5metres off the ground), and we focus mainly on the carved decorative stone throughout HES's properties. Today I was working on a delaminating window mullion at Arbroath Abbey, last week I was at Elcho Castle repairing an armorial panel, the week before that I was being filmed from a drone at Stirling Castle along with attending lectures about lime rendering and historic building joints. I am incredibly fortunate that my job takes me all over Scotland to beautiful sites and at the same time provides me with so much day to day variety - but I promise I still have very unglamorous days sitting in front of the laptop catching up on reports.

Alongside practical tasks I'm working on a research project investigating alternative materials to Paraloid B-72 for mortar repairs. This was a similar theme to what I had explored in my dissertation project and was keen to continue, so it's pretty fortunate this was required as part of my job role. We also have an amazing science team within Historic Environment Scotland who I have had the chance to work with and learn analytical techniques from, like XRD, petrography, and SEM. 

It was a challenge to shift my idea of what a successful treatment would look like, between ceramics and stonework you are aiming for a very different end result. You have to accept that when you are working with structures that are exposed to the often harsh elements in a country like Scotland, it's impossible to completely stop the deterioration, you can only make the effort to slow it down. People tend to have this idea that stone is invincible, but when you see it reduced back to soft sand you really understand the need for intervention if we want to keep the heritage we value so strongly.

Most people don't know how much impact the wind can have on deterioration - sometimes it leaves wave-like patterns in the stone's surface. I know it's not a good situation for the stone itself, but it can actually look really beautiful and organic. Similar to when salts are present, it creates an ethereal sparkle that can ultimately destroy the stone.

When it comes to job applications, showing that you're willing and capable to learn is just as important as what you already know. I found it daunting feeling like I had to 'compete' with other candidates that had years more experience than me, or had a degree in a slightly more relevant field, or had a better looking portfolio. I was very close to not applying for the job I have now because of these factors, but showing you both want to and know how to keep learning can make a big impact.

 

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    Graduate, Elena, at work
    Graduate, Elena, at work as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland
    Graduate, Elena, at work
    Graduate, Elena, at work as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland
    Graduate, Elena, at work
    Graduate, Elena, at work as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland
    Graduate, Elena, at work as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland
    Graduate, Elena, at work as a stone conservator for Historic Environment Scotland

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