The Endeavour Journal, the 1663 Blaeu Map documenting early Dutch exploration of Australia, and a privately owned Albert Namatjira painting are among the historic objects that have passed through the hands of Geebung-based art conservator Melanie Sorenson.
Melanie, who runs Sorenson Art Conservation, has worked in the field for 20 years, including at the Public Records Office of Victoria, National Library of Australia, Cairns Museum and State Library of Queensland. She currently works freelance.
“Freelance work has certainly been the space that has offered me the greatest diversity in terms of items to work on, people I have met and kept as friends and clients and connections with local stories and history,” she said.
One recent project involved a detailed silhouette depicting the Burnell family, their dog and small flowers. The piece is at the centre of family history research being undertaken by the family’s descendants.
“Silhouettes predate photographic processes and were a method of achieving a likeness or an affordable alternative to oil-painted portraits,” Melanie said.
“There were two methods of producing silhouettes, and from close observation I can see that this one has been produced by hand due to the level of detail of the cut-outs.
“This piece is particularly interesting and rare in that it portrays an entire family, a pet dog and even little wildflowers.
“Considering the detail in this piece, it would have been expensive in the day to commission the work – the fact that the family dog was included is a beautiful inclusion, indicating that the family pet really was considered to be a member of the family too.”
She said the scene was also unusual for its playful depiction of the children.
“Silhouettes tended to be conservative, side-only poses of important adults or children of important adults and only singularly portrayed,” she said. “The client has let me know that the gentleman was an engineer and, with his brother, responsible for building and designing many structures in London, including the first tunnel under the Thames.”
The Science and Craft of Art Conservation
Melanie said she had to “look, observe and understand” as much as possible about the item before commencing conservation work.
“It is incredibly important to establish what materials have been used, the age of the item, and to notice details such as inks, signatures, under-drawings, and then assess the damage, such as light exposure, pest and mould damage,” she said.
“There are certain treatment processes and procedures that once started, can’t be undone or reversed, and this is where I rely on my training and chemistry to be sure I have made the correct treatment decisions for an item that will prolong its life and capacity to be enjoyed by others and future generations.”
Other memorable projects have included a Chinese pageant lion head made in Hong Kong for Cairns, a 140-year-old baptismal gown brought to Australia from Scotland and the first register of the Cairns Botanic Gardens, containing specimens from the garden’s early plantings and requiring Melanie to repair the 120-year-old original binding.
“That felt special and significant to me to not undo the work of the binder who came before me, but to work alongside and complement his work,” she said.
The unique history of each item before it became a collectable or a family heirloom has been a major part of what draws Melanie to conservation work.
“I feel like a story collector in my line of work, as a client will bring something to me and as we start to look over the item together – the memories, or the stories attached to the item come out,” she said.
“Memories are one of the most special things about being human and the human experience, and I am so lucky that I can help people in that space of helping them to take care of memories and tokens of their past.”
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