Icon member Dr Bronwyn Ormsby has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Plowden Medal for Conservation in its 25th anniversary year, in recognition for her work on the scientific characterisation of modern paints and her dedication to the development of novel cleaning methods for the treatment of modern materials.
Established in 1999 to commemorate the life and work of the late Hon. Anna Plowden CBE (1938 – 1997), the Plowden Medal was endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, of which she was Vice-President. It is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the conservation profession.
Dr Ormsby is a Principal Conservation Scientist at Tate Britain; and said she was “equally humbled and excited” when she found out she'd been awarded the prestigious Medal, which honours the life and achievements of the late Hon. Anna Plowden CBE - a leading conservator.
Bronwyn began her conservation career in 1990 at Canberra University where she read for a BSc: Applied Science in the Conservation of Cultural Materials-specialising in Paintings Conservation. In 1995-7 she undertook a postgraduate internship in conservation science at the Hamilton Kerr Institute-Cambridge University, after which she returned to Australia as Acting Head of Painting Conservation at the National Gallery of Australia. In 1998 Bronwyn returned to her studies, undertaking her PhD at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, graduating in 2002.
Bronwyn said:
“Being the 2024 and 25th anniversary year recipient of the Plowden Medal is an absolute pleasure and indeed a rare honour to be recognised as having made a useful contribution to the conservation profession in the United Kingdom by the Medal committee and wider field.”
The work I do is always, and necessarily, highly collaborative - relying on the skills, knowledge, insights, expertise, feedback and good will of my fellow heritage professionals.
“I am particularly pleased that the importance of modern and contemporary art materials and conservation treatment research, as well as the role of collaborative heritage science within this interesting space, has been recognised through this award.”
“I would sincerely like to thank the conservators, educators, students and heritage scientists who have contributed (and continue to contribute) to this growing area of research and practice, as well as the generous grants received within and external to the UK, and of course Tate, who have enthusiastically supported and facilitated this research for over three decades.”
About The Plowden Award for Conservation
Established in 1999 to commemorate the life and work of the late Hon. Anna Plowden CBE (1938 – 1997), the Plowden Medal was endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, of which she was Vice-President. It is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the conservation profession.
The award covers all aspects of conservation be they practical, theoretical or managerial – and is open to those working in private practice or institutions.
Previous winners: Garry Thomson CBE (1999), Dr Jonathan Ashley-Smith (2000), Donald Insall CBE (2001), Dr David Leigh (2002), Clare Meredith (2003), Christopher Clarkson (2004), Carole Milner (2005), James Black (2006), Dr Vincent Daniels (2007), David Pinniger (2008), Professor Nicholas Pickwoad (2009), David Watkinson (2010) Kate Colleran (2011), Professor May Cassar (2012), Jonathan Betts MBE (2013), Dr Jim Tate (2014), Nancy Bell (2015), Sarah Staniforth (2015), Ksynia Marko (2016), Professor Sharon Cather (2017), Alan Derbyshire (2018), Caroline Bendix (2019), Katy Lithgow (2020), Stephen Clare MBE and Professor Jane Henderson FIIC (2021), Julie Dawson (2022) and Professor Sarah Brown (2023).
www.royalwarrant.org/plowden-medal
