IFACS has a reputation for taking on highly complex, varied and often large work. This continues under the directorship of Elsa Guerreiro. We work both in the studio and on site with a variety of artworks including historic and modern easel paintings, wall paintings and decorative surfaces. We work for Museums and Institutions as well as taking on smaller commissions for private clients.
Elsa is principally an easel paintings conservator and all work in the studio is carried out to best museum standards. All employees of IFACS have appropriate postgraduate level qualifications and high experience levels. We undertake both structural and aesthetic treatments of easel paintings on canvas, panel and more. We can undertake collection surveys, advise on preventative conservation and undertake loan preparation work.
The large studio in the centre of Bristol has a loading bay and is equipped with specialist lifting apparatus for large paintings. We have extremely high security, connected to a direct call out service, that is serviced and maintained under contract.
Easel paintings
Our staff are competent utilising the newest approaches and materials for the cleaning of easel paintings. We pride ourselves on achieving the best and most appropriate aesthetic outcomes for the paintings we treat, our skilled staff are adept at judging the correct level of finish for each artwork. We can carry out, or facilitate, full technical analysis.
As part of the treatment of a painting we can offer a frame restoration services and conservation framing.
Lining and structural treatments
At IFACS we carry out a large variety of treatments, both interventive and non-interventive, to address issues of structural integrity within a painting. We choose the lowest level of intervention that is appropriate. We have extensive experience of glue paste and Beva 371 adhesives for canvas lining and this includes extremely large paintings. We take on challenging structural problems and can come up with novel solutions. We can undertake panel work including split and board join repairs.
Wall Paintings and decorative interiors
We put together bespoke teams for on-site projects and can adapt our methodologies for different decorative surfaces or wall paintings. We carry out cleaning and stabilisation of the surface as well as aesthetic reintegration or replication where appropriate. We offer gilding, stencilling and other specialist paint finishes. Scaffolding is also provided where necessary.
Accredited Members
Elsa Guerreiro ACR
Elsa has been accredited by ICON since 2009 having completed her Masters degree in Easel Paintings Conservation in 1999 (Northumbria University). Following internships at museums and institutions including SRAL, in the Netherlands, she began her career within private practice and took on the directorship of IFACS in 2017. Her focus has been to build the companies excellent reputation whilst bringing her personal approach and ethos to grow the business. A priority of hers is to keep up to date with new developments in conservation; regularly attending workshops and talks to ensure that her practice is at the cutting edge.
Laura Hinde ACR
Laura graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art in 2010 with a Postgraduate Diploma in The Conservation of Easel Paintings. She currently lectures part time on the course. She achieved her accreditation in 2016. She has worked both within private studios and for institutions including The British Council and the National Portrait Gallery. She currently sits on the council for the BAPCR.