Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
A contemporary painting executed by an Irula (a South Indian Tribal) artist using gouache paints on untreated plywood surface. This painting was in an extremely damaged condition since it was stored in an unframed condition.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
The painting was in an exposed condition which provided ample opportunity for insects to attack the glue-based paint which was completely lost in several areas.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
After appropriate cleaning and consolidation of the paint layer, reintegration of the missing areas of paint by imitating the surrounding area of paint in tone and texture helped in making the painting appear as a coherent complete image.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
Insect droppings were observed as discoloured streaks running across the painting horizontally. Some liquid spills had also left tide marks (seen as dark edges of lighter areas of paint) on the paint layer.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
After the cleaning and consolidation phases, inpainting was executed to complete the image which will be of enormous help to viewer in the appreciation of the artistic intention.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
Losses in plywood board along the lower edge were observed – these losses were a direct result of handling the painting which caused splits in superficial layer of the laminated structure of the plywood.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
Large losses were filled in with suitable material and inpainted to reintegrate these areas to the surrounding area of paint.
Irula painting on plywood
Dimensions – 92cms X 61cms
Age – Approx. 12 years
The conserved painting was framed in a fitting manner so that it is viewed through the glass front while being completely sealed from all the external elements.
