With 30 years of experience Emily can provide the expert advice you are looking for to work on your paper-based art and items. Emily specialises in prints, drawings, watercolours, and pastels from old to modern. She also works on posters, parchment, miniatures and documents and has even worked on rare Victorian paper curtains and Victorian paper dolls. Emily loves a challenge!
Based in Barry South Wales serving collectors, dealers, private clients and public institutions across the UK. Everything from a single item with huge personal significance to large collections. Emily can carry out conservation treatment such as cleaning, washing and repair through to conservation framing. Emily is happy to give an estimate if you email a photograph and measurements. A written quote is provided once the item has been examined.
Emily offers options and advice and discusses your requirements. Taking time to understand what the client expects and what the items require is key to a successful outcome. Working on items of national significance in institutions through to a private owner with items of immense personal significance requires sensitivity and knowledge and a solid understanding of the materials.
Fully insured for working at the studio in Barry and on-site.
Conservation Treatment
Practical conservation treatments include cleaning, washing and repairing. What is possible will depend on what type of object you have. Emily will discuss your needs and provide options. Testing is always carried out before any cleaning or washing is carried out.
Having worked in a public gallery and for private clients, Emily understands the differing environments and the needs and challenges they may face and is so able to provide her clients the best conservation solutions for their items.
Conservation mounting and framing
The mount and frame environment provides a safe place ensuring your pictures preservation. Using top quality mounting boards is vital when mounting works of art on paper. Choosing the right style of mounting is important in conserving the item and presenting it in the best possible way.
Re-using and re-fitting items in their existing frames requires skill and should always be a first option. But when it’s not possible Emily works with a number of frame makers and can source new frames, from modern contemporary styles to traditional gilded frames.Conservation Surveys
Surveying collections is an important first step in deciding on prioritising a work schedule. Emily is available to travel to you and carry out a survey on paper-based collections, providing detailed spreadsheets and reports including guidance on priorities all tailored to your requirements.
Emily can also advise on environmental conditions within storage spaces, galleries or exhibition spaces.
Emily is experienced in writing treatment and condition reports for items going out on loan or exhibition.Biography
Emily O’Reilly ACR FIIC
Emily graduated from Camberwell College of Art in 1995 with a BA(HONS) in Paper Conservation, specialising in works of art on paper. She has worked as a Paper Conservator for 30 years in public institutions (Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales) and State Records of NSW, Australia as well as a private studio in the UK.
Emily took the plunge setting up her studio in Barry in 2017. Emily has carried out several significant projects for the National Trust (see her social media or website) and built up a good client base of private owners and collectors.
Client testimonials
We engaged Emily's support several times. She has provided conservation cleaning and repairs to some of our paper objects and specialist mounts and framing for exhibition. She has advised on suitable storage and preventative conservation measures as well as researching the background of the objects. Her excellent reputation also enabled us to negotiate a special loan and gave the loanee confidence we could both handle and display their object safely. I wholeheartedly recommend her services.
Nigel Blackamore, Pontypridd Museum - Amgueddfa Pontypridd
Museum Business and Partnerships Manager
After a disastrous relationship with another restorer, Emily is an immensely helpful and hugely knowledgeable conservator.
Emily explained everything in absolute detail, from conservation to the re-mounting and repair, or replacement, of authentically period frames. Emily listens to you, then guides you to the best options.
Emily has worked her conservation magic sensitively, on several watercolours for me with remarkable results. Emily is a delight to work with and I have absolute confidence in her.
Anthony Sweet, Dorset
Private Collector