Sophie has restored many paintings for the
V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum, London), She has worked in the Paintings Conservation Department in the museum; e.g. being in charge of the loans program for a while and more recently she helped preparing several large artworks for the “Epic Iran” exhibition in 2021. The treatment and installation was captured on camera for the BBC program Secrets of the Museum Series 2, Episode 2 Epic Iran.
She has also had V&A paintings delivered to her studio, where she restored them over a longer period. These were later re-installed in the National Competition Gallery. Another project included 3 whole period rooms (decorated panels/oil paint on wood) from the 17th century which needed to be conserved and prepared for the new V&A European Gallery. Due to the sheer size of these projects she worked collaboratively with another conservator on both, the latter being presented with the responsible curator from the V&A in a , now published, lecture at the Art Worker’s Guild.
For the
National Trust, Sophie has worked on numerous projects over the years. The most challenging one to this day was “Macbeth and the Witches” by Joshua Reynolds from Petworth House. The artist’s largest painting he ever produced had to be rolled in order to get out of the house and into Sophie’s studio where it took many months to complete the treatment.
Sophie enjoys talking about her work with great enthusiasm and feels especially proud that she’s been able to educate others on the ethical nature of caring for art and the different methods available. Her wealth of experience resulted in her being given the role of working in various houses on open days in the past, explaining to visitors about the work undertaken.