Restoration Case Study

Harris Ribut: "Siri Movement" Conservation Record

Ref: TPA270-2025-001CBA Tony Ng Conservation Studio

Artist

Harris Ribut

Date

2023

Medium

Oil on Canvas

Dimensions

101.5 x 76 cm

Location

Malaysia
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Artist Profile

Harris Ribut is an active Malaysian contemporary artist. This artwork showcases his highly signature voluptuous female figure.

In "Siri Movement", the artist depicts a long-haired woman wearing a light blue spaghetti-strap dress against a deep blue interior background, capturing the visual dynamics of the same subject in various poses. The artist's signature and date are located on the lower right.

Materials & Structure

Support Canvas. The overall support structure remains stable with no obvious canvas tears or tension deformation observed.
Medium Oil Paint. The paint film adhesion is good, with no large-scale flaking or peeling observed.
Composition Grid composition of nine panels (3x3 layout).
Surface Localized biological infestation (mold) is present, significantly concentrated on the deep blue and light blue pigment areas of the composition.

I. Comparative Evidence

* Note: Photographic documentation taken at different stages of treatment may exhibit slight color variations due to differences in ambient lighting and studio capture conditions.

Overall condition before treatment
Overall State: Before Treatment
Overall condition after treatment
Overall State: After Treatment
Detail Before
Detail (Mold on Blue Dress): Before
Detail After
Detail (After Mold Removal): After
Detail Before
ATP fluorescence reading prior to treatment (27184 RLU), indicating heavy organic contamination on the surface.
Detail After
ATP fluorescence reading after cleaning treatment (14 RLU), indicating a significant reduction in detectable surface contamination.

Quantitative Analysis: ATP Surface Swab Testing

Test Area
Lower Right (Blue Pigment)
Pre-Treatment (RLU)
27184
Post-Treatment (RLU)
14

* ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) testing measures active biological and microbial matter. Readings measured in RLU (Relative Light Units). A post-treatment reading under 30 RLU generally indicates a successfully remediated and stabilized surface.

II. Condition Summary

During the initial examination, a pervasive biological infestation (mold) was found on the artwork's surface, concentrated and dispersed primarily across the deep blue and light blue pigment areas of the composition.

Under microscopic observation, fungal hyphae were seen penetrating and attaching to the micro-interstices of the paint film. Although the artwork's overall structural support remains stable without severe paint flaking, gentle intervention is required to inhibit mold activity and prevent further micro-structural degradation caused by the high-humidity tropical environment.

III. Treatment Protocol

PHASE I
Mechanical Surface Cleaning: Utilizing a HEPA-filtered micro-aspiration system combined with soft bristle brushes to carefully remove active mold spores from the surface. The operation was performed under extremely low pressure to avoid pushing spores deeper into the canvas fibers.
PHASE II
Chemical Stabilization: Cautious application of a conservation-grade localized biocide to specific mold-infected areas. This step aimed to neutralize residual mold activity and force it into dormancy, ensuring no dissolution or discoloration of the original oil paint occurred.
PHASE III
Preventive Conservation: The conservation intervention focused on stabilization rather than aesthetic renewal. The artwork was transferred to a controlled environment, and detailed temperature and humidity management guidelines for tropical climates were provided to the collection institution to mitigate the risk of mold recurrence.

IV. Conservation Materials

Isolation Layer
Paraloid B-72 (Acrylic resin). Used to isolate the original paint layer from subsequent conservation intervention layers, ensuring conservation materials do not penetrate the original structure and guaranteeing complete reversibility of the intervention.
Final Varnish
Laropal A81 (Synthetic aldehyde resin). Provides highly stable surface protection with excellent non-yellowing characteristics, while unifying the overall gloss of the painting.
Cleaning System
A non-polar solvent mixture combined with a trace amount of non-destructive biocide, strictly limited to localized surface mold removal to maximize the safety of the original paint film.
Retouching
Conservation-grade, highly stable dry pigments. Intervention is strictly confined to areas of pigment loss (inpainting) and never covers or overwrites any surviving original paint surface.

V. Care Recommendations

Temperature Control
Maintain at 21°C - 24°C (70-75°F). Keep away from direct heat sources (e.g., radiators, hot water pipes) to prevent blistering or cracking of the paint film.
Relative Humidity (RH)
Maintain between 40% and 60%. The use of a dehumidifier is recommended. Avoid placing the painting in damp areas like basements, bathrooms, or kitchens to prevent mold recurrence.
Light Exposure Limitation
Avoid direct sunlight or strong halogen/fluorescent lighting. We recommend using zero-UV LED lighting (2700K-3000K) to prevent paint fading and embrittlement.
Routine Maintenance
Only a clean, soft dry brush is recommended to lightly dust the surface. Strictly prohibit the use of household cleaners, damp cloths, or commercial "brighteners" on the painting surface.

VI. Technical Documentation

Microscopic Analysis
Fig. M1 Microscopic Examination
UV Fluorescence
Fig. UV-01 UV Fluorescence
IR Reflectography
Fig. IR-01 IR Reflectography
Technical Doc
Fig.  IR-02 IR Reflectography

Statement of Integrity

Authorized Disclosure & Privacy: This conservation case study is published under strict contractual agreement and explicit consent from the collector (as the Transparency Education Initiative Pilot Project Artwork No. 001). All proprietary and sensitive details regarding artwork ownership have been redacted to ensure absolute collector privacy.

Scientific Objective: This report aims to demystify the science of art conservation through empirical documentation. We advocate that authentic restoration strikes a balance between structural stabilization and the preservation of historical integrity, rather than merely pursuing aesthetic renewal that strips away the passage of time.

Heritage Contribution: This record serves as a public teaching case, intended to build a robust technical knowledge base and intervention reference for artwork preservation in Malaysia's tropical climate.

© 2025 Tony Ng Conservation Studio. This report is authored by the conservator who retains intellectual property rights. It may not be used for commercial publication without written permission.

Special Initiative
Transparency Education Initiative
View Details ↓
Education Partner Support: Painting up to 60% / Sculpture 30% Collaboration Rate
Selected restoration projects may opt to participate as Education Partners in this initiative. In exchange for documenting the restoration process as a public case study (with sensitive information redacted), the studio provides substantial professional fee support for such collectors.
Core Purpose
Aims to improve public awareness and understanding of conservation ethics and preservation science through real-world case documentation and before-and-after comparisons.
Funding & Service Support
  • • Easel Painting Conservation: Up to 60% support on service fees
  • • Sculpture Conservation: 30% support on service fees for selected cases
  • • Public Education Access: Provision of pre/post-treatment technical images, scientific analysis, and routine care recommendations
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