THE V&A

Research Institute

Jasmin Mackenzie

PhD Student V&A / Imperial College London

Second life: understanding deterioration of recycled plastics in Museum collections

I am embarking on a PhD research role as part of a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership with the V&A and Imperial College London. My research will focus on the mechanical degradation of recycled plastics within museum collections. Prior to this position, I worked as a Sculpture and Installations Conservator, specialising in contemporary and modern art, with experience in various roles across galleries and museums. My educational background includes a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham, followed by Conservation Studies at City and Guilds of London Art School. I am particularly interested in strategies that balance conservation needs with the challenges of modern materials and how to apply these strategies in practical conservation treatments.

My supervisors are Valentina Risdonne, PhD, MRSC | Conservation Scientist, V&A, Prof Maria Charalambides, CEng, FIMechE Professor in Mechanics of Materials in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London and Sarah VanSnick, Lead Preventative Conservator, V&A.

Selected projects

Tony Cragg, Britain Seen from the North (1981): In preparation for the Tate Britain re-hang: each plastic piece was assessed, repaired when needed and a new mounting system installed

Sarah Sze, Seamless (1999): Install and deinstall of a new acquisition of a multi-media, multi-component installation