د . إAEDSRر . س

Maltese Conservator-Restorers Forced To Work Without A Warrant Since 2003

Article Featured Image

Malta may be hosting the European Capital of Culture in Valletta next year, but a section of the Maltese professional art population says that they are being forced to work without a warrant – and that it’s been like this for over a decade. 

Professional ‘conservator-restorers’- sometimes known as ‘restorers’ – are not artists and their training at University level includes, amongst other things, a strong scientific component. They specialise in specific conservation streams, which reflect the different typology of objects, like paintings, wood, and ceramics. 

Their restoration work is often-times very delicate and requires a specific training to ensure that the artwork isn’t damaged, as has been the case in the past. 

The Cultural Heritage Act of 2002 states that a warrant for professional conservator-restorers must be issued – however, according to James Licari, President of The Malta Association of Professional Conservator-Restorers (MAPCo-Re), these warrants have yet to be issued. 

“If a warrant is not issued, how are the public to know who qualifies to undertake such interventions and who is not qualified to do so,” Mr. Licari told Lovin Malta. “Until this warrant is established MAPCo-Re will guide and will be providing the authorities with a list of their members annually.”

Mr. Licari has seen restoration work gone wrong firsthand, and cannot stress the importance of having accredited professional restorers working on Malta’s artwork.

“There are some cases which have come to light in which inadequate or damaging interventions have been undertaken by ‘unwarrantable’ persons but others which have not yet been heard of,” he said. “There have even been international cases which have shocked the world, such as the portrait fresco depicting Jesus painting in Spain. And despite it being far-fetched, the humorous film of Mr Bean with the painting of Whistlers Wife, gives us an insight as to how our cultural heritage may be damaged by good intentions.”

“Often amateurs use chemicals and introduce newly-formulated products which, if used inappropriately, may impair the integrity of the work of art or change the object’s characteristics at times resulting in further deterioration, possibly irreparable. Sometimes it is not the case of seeing the work of art brilliant and shiny, but more the aspect of stabilizing the work. Some products may leave residues (for example) within the canvas or wooden support, or may eventually develop into acids when in a humid environments (a common factor in Maltese homes),” he said.

Mr. Licari also pointed out that during a ‘Gvern Li Jisma’ interview held on the 20th November 2017, Minister for Culture Dr Owen Bonnici said that even though he is in favour of the warrant, he is also considering the opinion of those who are opposing the warranting of conservator-restorers. 

No official reasons have been provided, apart from rumoured comments that ‘many’ are opposing it, and MAPCo-Re are unaware of any real reasons to not issue warrants.  

“A warrant is a licence to practice, and carries a dual role: that of protecting the cultural heritage from irreparable damage and that of setting out the important responsibilities a professional should carry.” says Mr. Licari.  

“One possible reason for opposition may have been the Grandfathers’ clause, which protects those who were practicing prior to the establishment of the formal academic training within the local environment. Others have suggested that there might be a conflict between the ‘conservation architect’ and the ‘stone conservator’. This in theory should not happen as the former is trained mainly related to structural issues, whilst the latter is more specialized in the material and sculptural aspects.  MAPCo-Re and the Kamra tal-Perit are in contact as well as they are both within the Malta Federation of Professional Associations,” he said.

Mr. Licari doe not think unwarranted persons, despite their harm done, have bad intentions. However, he would like to make the public more aware that the need for professionals to undertake such delicate and necessary work. 

As Mr. Licari says, “if one had a recurring chest pain, one would not simply go to the pharmacy and  request medication. One would go to a specialist to fully understand the symptoms, to decipher the causes and hopefully take an ethical decision to cure one’s self. This should be the same for your artworks, collections and houses.”

What do you think of Maltese conservationists not being issued licenses?

READ NEXT: Ask Yourself ‘What The Hell Am I Doing Here’ At The Thought-Provoking Mdina Biennale

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

You may also love

View All