Sophie Barton ACR

Studied Conservation at City & Guilds of London Art School (C&G).  At C&G, focused studies on the conservation of polychrome objects, receiving training from brilliant tutors, the Japanning specialist Margaret Ballardie and work experience with Pauline Plummer, conservator of paintings and polychromy on medieval rood screens.  After graduating, gained experience completing internships in the polychrome sculpture conservation departments at SRAL, Maastricht; at KIK-IRPA in Brussels and worked for four and a half years at the CRRCOA in Vesoul, France.  Travels enabled Sophie to work with inspiring colleagues on polychrome religious sculpture and composite altarpieces in Holland, Belgium and France.

Following a one year HLF ICON internship, focusing on the conservation of decorative surfaces on furniture; learning finishing techniques for wood surfaces, taking part in specialist Urushi lacquer workshops run by TOBUNKEN in Cologne and gaining experience working on a variety of decorative finishes, Sophie worked for six years on diverse items of furniture with the highly skilled professionals at Tankerdale Limited.

Working in conservation requires keeping up to date with current best practice and new techniques by liaising with professionals in the field.  Sophie maintains accredited status by sharing knowledge and regularly contributing to professional development. 

A visiting lecturer in the conservation department at C&G since 2015. 

Research interests: the identification and analysis of Asian lacquer and European japanning; and more generally... looking at pigments and paint layers under the microscope.