Studying The Collection
In order to perform treatments, conservators require a strong grasp of materials and techniques used in producing the art. SAM conservators often work with artists, scientists, and curators to analyze the art. Findings of some such studies at SAM can be viewed through the links below.
Conserving Jackson Pollock's Sea Change
Chief Conservator Nicholas Dorman discusses his treatment of Jackson Pollock’s transitional 1947 painting
Sea Change, funded by a Bank of America conservation grant.
Monitoring Surface Coatings at SAM's Olympic Sculpture Park
Portland State University and SAM are collaborating on a project to monitor surface coatings of outdoor sculptures.
Conserving the Surface of Sculptures
Associate Conservator Liz Brown discusses the challenges of conserving the surfaces of sculptures at the Olympic Sculpture Park.
The Triumph of Valor Over Time
Nicholas Dorman, from SAM's Conservation Studio, talks about restoring
The Triumph of Valor Over Time—a painting from 1755–1760 by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
The Life of Gensei Shonin
Learn about the conservation project to reproduce
Scenes from the Life of Gensei Shonin.
Mexican Modernism
Explore four paintings from the
Mexican Modernism exhibition through the eyes of a conservator. You'll have a new perspective on the paintings as well as how they are handled and prepared for display.
View Exhibition Site »
Poem Scroll With Deer
Explore the Deer Scroll interactive website, a virtual re-creation of a complete handscroll. Originally created in the early 17th century by two prominent Japanese artists, the handscroll was cut into two pieces in 1935.
View Exhibition Site »