Restoration Case Study

Jolly Koh: "Untitled" Restoration

Ref: TPA280-2026-004 | Tony Ng Conservation Studio

Artist

Jolly Koh

Date

c. 2001

Medium

Acrylic / Oil on Canvas

Dimensions

122 x 91 cm

Location

Private Collection

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I. Comparative Evidence

Overall State: Before Treatment

Overall State: After Treatment

Detail: Before

Detail: After

Detail: Before

Detail: After

II. UV Examination Analysis

Ultraviolet-Induced Visible Fluorescence (UVF):

Examination under UVA (365nm) revealed uneven surface fluorescence, suggesting oxidized and naturally degraded varnish layers. The assessment guided the subsequent varnish reduction strategy, ensuring that later interventions could be carried out securely over a stable and well-documented substrate.

III. Condition Summary

Visual Description: An expressive contemporary painting characterized by vibrant, lyrical abstraction. The artwork employs rich layers of pigment with distinctive textural impasto and dynamic brushwork, typical of the artist's celebrated style.

Historical Context: Dr. Jolly Koh (born 1941) is a prominent and highly influential figure in Malaysian contemporary art. A founding member of the Anak Alam movement, he is well-regarded internationally for his romantic approach to abstraction, integrating both local atmospheric sensibilities and formal aesthetic rigor.

Condition Issues & Testing:

pH & Environment: Verso pH measured at 6.19. Surface hygiene test indicated 54 RLU.
Structural Anomalies: Slack canvas tension observed, along with localized ageing crack patterns and surface deformation within the paint layers.
Surface Issues: Accumulation of surface dirt and aged, discolored varnish affecting colour clarity.

IV. Treatment Protocol

PHASE I

Surface Cleaning & Preparation: Dry cleaning and controlled solvent cleaning were executed to reduce surface contaminants and safely thin the aged varnish layer.

PHASE II

Structural Stabilization: Deep infiltration and consolidation of unstable areas, addressing inherent cracks and lifting paint edges using controlled syringe injection of Paraloid B72.

PHASE III

Reversible Isolation: Application of a highly stable and reversible isolation barrier to protect the original paint layer from subsequent interventions.

PHASE IV

Living Artist Intervention: Over the protective isolation layer, localized visual adjustments were performed directly by the artist, Jolly Koh, successfully integrating aesthetic intent while adhering to the principle of reversibility.

V. Technical Notes

Consolidation System

Paraloid B72 via controlled syringe injection

Cleaning Methodology

Dry cleaning and selective solvent cleaning

Aesthetic Reintegration

Living Artist Intervention (Jolly Koh) over isolation layer

Protective Coating

Reversible conservation varnish

VI. Technical Documentation

$Technical Doc$

Fig. 01

The only localized area where the original artist introduced new visual elements during the post-treatment intervention process.

Fig. 02

Controlled crack stabilization process using distributed weight pressure during surface relaxation treatment.

Fig. 03

pH observation conducted on the reverse canvas surface during treatment assessment and material evaluation.

Fig. 04

Biological and particulate accumulation observed along the inner stretcher and canvas edge.

Fig. 05

Evidence of previous insect nesting activity discovered along the painting’s edge and stretcher area.

Fig. 06

ATP surface testing carried out as part of the biological activity observation and environmental assessment process.

Fig. 07

Microscopic comparison between aged varnish fragment loss and the original underlying paint layer, revealing differences in surface texture and material response.

Fig. 08

Microscopic image of untreated ageing crack formations prior to stabilization and surface treatment.

VII. Treatment Process Video

Conservation Integrity & Ethical Statement

Authorized Disclosure: This case study is published under strict contractual agreement and with explicit consent. All proprietary details regarding ownership remain redacted to ensure collector privacy. While all care is taken according to international conservation ethics, art conservation involves inherent risks.

Living Artist Intervention: This unique treatment involved the later re-intervention of the living artist during an ongoing conservation process. The project necessitated a careful negotiation of conservation ethics, artwork identity, and reversibility.

Ethical Execution: To bridge contemporary conservation principles with artistic intent, a reversible isolation layer was applied over the cleaned and stabilized surface before the artist carried out localized visual adjustments. This ensures the structural and historical integrity of the primary support is maintained indefinitely.

Supplementary Documentation

A reflective conservation case study related to this project has been publicly archived for research and documentation purposes:

Tony Ng Chit Keong, Negotiating Intervention: A Contemporary Painting Conservation Case Involving Jolly Koh (2026)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20328328

Special Initiative

Transparency Education Initiative

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Education Partner Support: Painting up to 60% / Sculpture 30% Collaboration Rate

Selected restoration projects may choose to participate as Education Partners. In exchange for documenting the process as a public case study (with sensitive details redacted), the studio provides substantial support on professional fees.

Core Purpose

Designed to improve public understanding of conservation ethics and restoration science through real-world documentation.

Support Rates

• Painting Restoration: Up to 60% support on service fees
• Sculpture Restoration: 30% support on service fees for selected cases
• Public Access: Before/after comparisons, technical images, and care advice

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