Vanessa Kowalski
Paintings Conservator
- Telephone:
- (+61 3) 9348 5700
- Email:
- v.kowalski@unimelb.edu.au
- Fax:
- (+61 3) 8344 0329
- Location:
- Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Biography
Vanessa graduated from the University of Canberra in 2002, with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree (Conservation of Cultural Materials), specialising in the conservation of paintings. She also holds a BA in Creative Arts from the University of Melbourne (1998).
Vanessa initially joined the Centre in 2003, as a post-graduate intern, and has subsequently continued working with the Center as a paintings conservator. Vanessa also assists with the academic and training programs.
Vanessa’s main research interest is the conservation of contemporary and modern art. Her past research projects include a study into the use of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for analysing alkyd resin paint binders, and investigations into the materials and techniques of a number of twentieth century artists.
Vanessa was a Helena Rubenstein intern at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (2006) and a Samuel H. Kress Fellow at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York (2007-08). While in New York, Vanessa continued to focus on the analysis, preservation, conservation and presentation of contemporary and modern art.
Publications
Book Chapters
- McMillan, G. and Kowalski, V. 2009, ‘Kandinsky’s Materials and Techniques: A Preliminary Study of Five Paintings’, Kandinsky, Guggenheim Museum Publications, New York, pp. 121 – 133.
Journal articles
(*Refereed Journals)- *Hill, C. and Kowalski, V. 2009 ‘The Grossi Florentino Project – A private collection in a public space,’ AICCM Bulletin, 2009 (accepted September 2009, in press)
- *Fry, C., Kowalski, V. and Nunn, C. 2009 ‘”Landscape in Miniature” - The use of the gum leaf as a painting support in colonial Victoria,’ Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art – Supports, Volume III, (accepted December 2008, in press).
- Nunn, C. and Kowalski, V. 2009 ‘Saving Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer, The conservation of a 20th century painting,’ University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 4, June 2009, pp. 51 – 52.
- Kowalski, V. 2005, ‘A preliminary Investigation into the Materials and Techniques of Ludwig Hirschfield Mack’ Art Events Ideas, The Ian Potter Museum of Art, The University of Melbourne, Issue 2, pp. 10 – 11.
Press articles
- Kowalski, V. 2008, 'Conservation Conversation, Cultural Treasures Days' Trouble Magazine, September Issue, pp 14 – 15.
- Kowalski, V. 2008, 'Conservation of Shaman Ceremonial Paintings' Trouble Magazine, February Issue.
- Kowalski, V. 2006 ‘Conservation of Shaman Ceremonial Paintings at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology’ AICCM National Newsletter, No. 99, June 2006, pp. 4 – 6.
- Kowalski, V. 2004 ‘ “IIC Congress, Modern Art – New Museums” Review of the IIC Congress, Bilbao 2004’ AICCM National Newsletter, No. 93, December 2004, pp. 16 - 17.