On Parr: materiality and intent in the preservation of Mike Parr's prints in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. Issue 1 (December 2014) - Williams, Leah
Abstract : Mike Parr is one of Australia's most provocative contemporary artists with a practice encompassing performance, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video and text. Parr's close collaboration with master printmaker John Loane has produced a significant body of printed works, which collectively constitute The Self-Portrait Project. These prints feature in national and international collections, with the most comprehensive being that at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). The materials and techniques used in these works remain largely undocumented, presenting a significant challenge for their preservation. This research focused on developing knowledge of the materials and techniques used by Parr in his printed works, while also exploring the artist's intent and its ability to inform conservation decision-making. Interviews with Parr and Loane informed examination and analysis of selected works from the NGA collection. The importance of ongoing artist/conservator collaboration for the conservation of contemporary art is highlighted by a documented shift in Parr's earlier views on visual change. Preliminary recommendations are made for the preservation of works from the NGA, which are relevant also to works held in other collections.