National Gallery Singapore is recruiting a Senior Conservator (Paintings) who would be mainly based at the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC), which is the repository and conservation facility for the National Collection under the National Heritage Board (NHB).
The selected candidate will be working in the Paintings section at the HCC to serve both the National Gallery, under the Visual arts cluster and the museums and institutions under the National Heritage Board, such as the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Peranakan Museum, and the Heritage Institutions.
The candidate will report to the Head of Paper and Paintings section in HCC and is expected to co-lead and manage the Paintings conservation team, while conserving the National Collection as part of exhibition and research projects. They would also be required report to the Director of Artwork and Exhibitions management in the National Gallery and participate in selected projects and events as agreed by both institutions.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Carry out conservation assessment, documentation and treatment on the National Collection according to HCC and NHB procedures, instructions and guidelines for exhibits, loans, maintenance and research projects.
- Manage exhibition projects as liaison officer to cover conservation-related as well as administrative aspects of exhibition preparations including preventive conservation.
- Be involved in preventive work, storage improvement, giving ideal environmental recommendations for short or long term display of artefacts/artworks and advice on transport, handling and display requirements whenever necessary.
- Provide supervision, mentoring and training of staff to reinforce constructive work behaviour, performances and strengthen their knowledge and competencies.
- Work with the head of Paper and Paintings to identify training needs, develop training roadmaps, initiate, plan and execute training or sharing sessions within HCC to enable continuous improvement in skills and knowledge of conservators.
- Conduct and lead specialized conservation research projects to enhance collection knowledge and artefact significance while working in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, in Singapore, the region and/or internationally, and respecting the various perspectives involved.
- Implement documentation and knowledge management processes to ensure that all documentation of the collection relevant to conservation and the conservation documentation are well-captured, recorded and accessible as needed.
- Participate and share administrative duties in the paintings section and conservation services department, and any procurement as assigned by the head of Paper and Paintings section.
- Participate in ah-hoc duties and projects assigned, including working groups, committees or events organised by the Heritage Conservation Centre, National Heritage Board and the National Gallery.
Qualifications
- A Masters degree in Conservation, with a minimum of 6 to 8 years work experience as a full time staff on contract basis.
- Experience in providing advice on complex conservation treatments, supervising staff members and managing exhibition and research projects. Experience in institution is required.
- Ability to lead, coach and impart conservation skills and knowledge effectively as well as being a strong team player.
- Ability to carry out comprehensive treatments with a high degree of manual dexterity and aesthetic sensitivity.
- Familiarity and experience with collections in South East Asia, as well as modern and contemporary artworks will be advantageous.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills that facilitate teamwork and the ability to work across departments and institutions. Fluency in English is required.
- Possess ability to multi-task, organise and prioritise work in given timeline.
- Possess a wide exposure in handling multi-cultural materials with sensitivity and demonstrate relevance in making sound contextual judgements in applying conservation principles and practices.
- Ability to adapt in a multi-lingual and multi-racial environment.
- Keep up to date with current conservation development through self-directed learning and training. Evidence of continual professional development is strongly desirable.
