Buildings Section 30th anniversary celebration, 2 July 2017
The Craft of Building Conservation: Decorative Arts
Upper Gatehouse, Dartington Hall, Sunday 2 July 2017. See the events page for booking details.
This symposium on the conservation of the decorative arts brought together four specialists in woodcarving, stonework, polychrome and stained glass who presented insights into their crafts. The day was introduced and chaired by Linda Watson, Conservation Architect.
(photo by jm)
Programme
10:00 Tea and coffee
10:30 Introduction: Linda Watson
11:00 Woodcarving: Laurence Beckford
12:00 Stonework: Alex Woodcock
13:00 Buffet Lunch in the Great Hall
14:00 Polychrome: Eddie Sinclair
15:00 Stained Glass: Glenn Carter
16:00 Conclusions and Vote of Thanks followed by tea
The Speakers
Laurence Beckford began his career in wood and stone carving in 1978 as an apprentice to the Ecclesiastical woodworkers Herbert Read Ltd. Beckford’s Art Works has been involved with many prestigious projects, including renewal of ceiling bosses at Windsor Castle and restoration of Grinling Gibbons carvings at Hampton Court Palace, as well as work in several Devon churches.
Alex Woodcock is uniquely both a stonecarver and an expert on medieval architectural sculpture. Following a PhD at Southampton in 2003, he trained as a stonemason and worked at Exeter Cathedral for six years. Since then he has published several papers and books and is currently researching Romanesque sculpture in the South West. A paper related to that subject was published in Transactions 2016.
Eddie Sinclair has specialised in the conservation and research of historic painted surfaces for the past thirty five years. She has built up a knowledge and understanding of West Country polychromy, with particular interest in the materials, techniques and conservation needs of medieval decoration. Recent work includes conservation of the C15th painted panels now reinstated in the screen at Torbryan church.
Glenn Carter is a freelance designer/maker and restorer in stained glass and leaded light design and repair. He has worked as a lecturer in glass at Universities in Lincoln and Nottingham and more recently at Plymouth College of Art & Design, and as a stained glass restorer at the Lincoln Cathedral workshops. He is currently Advisor on Stained Glass to the Diocese of Truro.
Linda Watson is an architect who has spent her working life in building conservation education and research, most recently at Plymouth University. She is an expert in the conservation of Devon’s cob buildings and has lectured widely on the subject.
Our Sponsor
Mike Wye & Associates have been specialising in materials for more sustainable building and decoration for twenty years. They are suppliers of hydraulic lime, natural insulation and a wide range of natural paints and decorating products. They also run practical training courses on the use of lime and other natural materials.