Studio Carolina Izzo

Conservation Treatment Easel Paintings
We specialise in the conservation treatment of easel paintings and large works: oil or acrylic, canvas or wooden panel, old or contemporary. The treatment of paintings can include detailed analysis of the pigments present in the artwork, microscopic investigation, and examination under ultraviolet light.

When appropriate, the traditional methods used in the painting will be used to restore the painting. We can assess the paintings on-site or at our Studio (Wellington or Auckland) or we can come to you (by negotiation).

If your painting has been torn or drawn on by a youngster, if there is water damage or if the painting is showing mould, if your painting is showing signs of deterioration, we can provide an assessment and then carry out the conservation treatment.

We follow the conditions laid out in the NZCCM Code of Ethics.

Conservation Treatment Object + Kintsugi
At Studio Carolina Izzo we restore and conserve sculptures, ceramics, and wooden objects. The conservation treatment is dictated by the type of material. Our assessment will provide a plan to repair, restore, or conserve your object. The chosen treatment is decided after discussion with the client. In our treatment, we respect Tikanga when dealing with Māori objects.

We may also conserve broken pottery and china through the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi (金継ぎ) or “Golden Joinery”. This is an approach that will restore your broken but beloved objects while paying respect to the history of the object. Our studio is prepared for small scale work such as re-touching a painted surface, or restoration which might involve piecing together many broken fragments. All processes, as per the rules of ethical conservation, are reversible.

Conservation Treatment Frames and Gilding
Frames protect the painting.  They are a structure to aid safe transportation of the artwork and can be made of various materials.  Frames are simple or ornate, and come with different finishes and textures.

In modern times the frame might be made and applied by the artist.  This is called An Artist Frame.  Frames are also chosen by the owner of the artwork or the framer.  Sometimes an artwork is presented without a frame. The frame itself is an important element in the reading of an artwork. While frames can be changed depending on the fashion of the day, it is always worth considering restoration or preservation of the original frame.

We repair frames that are broken or missing pieces.  We restore and repair gilded frames.   If your painting is unframed, we can offer advice on the best way to present and hang your painting.

Studio Carolina Izzo advises organisations, businesses, and individuals on decisions relating to their artworks and collections. Carolina Izzo has over 30 years experience in the art world and has provided consultation for clients ranging from Royal Palaces, official NATO Residences, and Civic Museums in Naples, to large corporations and hotels in Wellington.

The studio’s expertise and knowledge cover both antique and contemporary arts and a vast breadth of experience in the field of art conservation puts longevity and the future of a collection at the core of all consultation.

Valuations
We provide clients with valuations for works of art of any medium, age, and style. Studio Carolina Izzo works with highly trained professionals to offer clients accurate valuations for purposes of insurance and taking artworks to market.

Insurance Claims
Our team has experience dealing with both the insured and the insurer.  We prepare assessments of the condition of your artworks to be presented to the Insurance Company and liaise between parties throughout the claim process to deliver a positive result for all involved.

Handling and Installation
Studio Carolina Izzo is highly skilled in the handling of artworks and can supervise installations to ensure all our clients’ art is well looked-after.

At Studio Carolina Izzo, our Heritage Team specialises in project management relating to conservation of historic buildings and architectural heritage.

This work includes outdoor sculpture, small architectural elements, and large-scale building projects.  We provide a plan including the methodology and issues involving the Resource Management Act. We manage on-site conservation of architectural heritage made from a range of materials, including, painted walls and friezes, stone work, marble, timber, plasterwork.

Carolina has coordinated large teams of conservators in Italy and New Zealand, where she as has managed projects such as the, Royal Palace in Naples for the G7 summit 1994 and the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch 2012-2014. The conservation of Architectural Heritage requires the team to work across disciplines, maintain the detailed work of heritage conservation, while accommodating the practical requirements of other teams.

Studio Carolina Izzo specialises in preventive conservation. This involves planning your collection care by way of regular maintenance. We can also give advice or carry out collection organisation for you. Services offered are as follows:

• Cataloguing
• Database preparation
• Storage
• Advice on environmental control
• Travel, packing, and installation requirements

Condition Reporting
Studio Carolina Izzo can provide you with a condition report on your artwork, or the heritage elements of a historical building. We provide photographic documentation and a step-by-step account of the structure and composition of your artwork. There is an analysis of the materials and their deterioration. Once the current condition of your artwork is established, a plan for treatment to restore, repair, or conserve your artwork, (building or object) is given. 

Disaster Recovery
We can provide advice on how to restore and conserve damaged artwork or architectural heritage, after a disaster (earthquake, flood, fire, mould, etc.). We can construct a plan or offer advice on how to prepare your environment to be disaster ready with disaster procedure plans.