Cheah Yew Saik: "Untitled,2013" Restoration

Visual Description: A cityscape depicting a river scene with an arched bridge in the foreground and classical European architectural buildings in the background. The composition includes flowing water with a small boat, trees along the riverbank, and soft atmospheric perspective. The palette is dominated by cool tones, with visible brushstrokes contributing to a slightly impressionistic character.

Historical Context: Cheah Yew Saik, born in Kedah in 1939, is a pioneering figure in Malaysian art and education. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (1961) and Stoke-on-Trent College of Art, England (1965), where he was awarded "Outstanding Student of the Year".

Condition Issues:

• Fine micro-cracking within the paint layer
• Embedded brownish deposits within fissures
• Localised age-related cracking (lower-left area)
• Uneven fluorescence observed under UV examination
• Mildly acidic pH readings across surface and support

No interventive restoration treatment was undertaken.

Limited preventive measures were carried out within the framework of the MTC model. These included gentle surface cleaning using non-aggressive methods to reduce superficial contaminants.

An isolating layer of 10% Paraloid B-72 was applied as a reversible barrier, which may assist in moderating further material change. No retouching or visual reintegration was introduced.

A sacrificial layer composed of 10% Laropal A81 with 5% microcrystalline wax was applied as a protective measure.

The artwork will be returned to its original environment, with ongoing monitoring planned. Periodic visits, sampling, and observation will be conducted to assess any future changes.