Talk | Restoration and Discovery with Conservator Sally Marriott

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Discover the fascinating process behind the conservation of our recent Christopher Wood acquisitions and the unveiling of a hidden gem.

During this talk, conservator Sally Marriott will guide us through the process and results of her recent conservation and restoration treatment of two paintings by Christopher Wood. The White Vase (1930) and Two French Boys (1925) were bequeathed to Pallant House Gallery by Ian Mylles with Art Fund support in 2021. Funding from the Spencer Wills Trust and patrons Clare and Hugh Twiss has enabled a major programme of conservation required to present these paintings to the public.

Sally is passionate about making the process of conservation as accessible as possible, so with her support, much of this treatment was carried out within the Gallery space, rather than within Sally’s studio. This enabled the public to see the progress of the conservation treatment in real-time and ask questions as she worked.

Join us to uncover the intricate stories behind these artworks and see how conservation brings history to life.

Book your tickets

Standard tickets cost £15 and £13.50 for Friends.

Our exhibitions The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain, Phoebe Cummings: I hear myself in my throat and Nana Shiomi: Her Own Interpretation will be open from 5pm until 8pm. You can purchase a half-price admission ticket below:

Book half-price admission

See what Sally discovered

Photograph of Sally Marriott mixing paints on a pallette.

Photograph of a woman mixing a solution in a tub with a belt full of tools unrolled next to her.

Photograph of a woman left wearing purple gloves holding a painting and pointing to it

Photograph of a woman in a bright pink jumper sat at a table mixing paints with a laptop in front of her and windows in front of that

Speaker bio - Sally Marriott MA PGDip (Cons)

Paintings Conservator and Director, Surrey Conservation of Paintings Ltd (2013 – present)

Former de László Paintings Conservator at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village 2013-2023, where Sally established their first painting conservation studio and specialised in the conservation of and research into the working practices of G.F Watts.

From 2007-2013 Sally was a Research Conservator on the Making Art in Tudor Britain project at The National Portrait Gallery, alongside working in private practice.

Sally has a BA (Hons) in History of Art from the University of Warwick (2002) and a MA in History of Art and the Material Study of Paintings from UCL (2003). It was here that Sally developed her passion for researching painting materials and practice, having had the opportunity to study under paint analyst Libby Sheldon in the early stages of her career. Following her Masters, Sally went on to complete a post-graduate diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings at The Courtauld Institute of Art (2003-2006).

Sally currently works as a Paintings Conservator and Consultant for a wide variety of Museums, Galleries and Private Individuals and Collections, specialising in 19th and early 20th Century British Art, Collection Care and Emergency Salvage. Sally is passionate about making conservation as accessible as possible and often carries out public-facing conservation projects, sharing research and treatment details with visitors, school groups and a variety of stake-holders wherever possible.