Harlem Hospital Conservation Project - Panel 2

Conservation project carried out with EverGreene Architectural Arts in New York.

Challenge

This was the second mural rescued from the building slated for demolition in New York, also painted by the notable African American artist Vertis Hayes. The challenge lay not only in safely detaching the large artwork from the wall but also in addressing extensive damage, including numerous tears and holes in the canvas support.

Technical Solution

The conservation approach prioritized the stabilization of the canvas before ensuring the painting's portability:

• Cleaning and Removal: The mural was first cleaned of surface dirt and then carefully removed from the wall structure.

• Canvas Repair: Extensive repair work was performed on the support, methodically mending the multiple tears and holes in the canvas to restore its physical integrity.

• Structural Remounting: To provide definitive support and portability, the repaired canvas was remounted onto a lightweight yet rigid honey-combed aluminum panel.

• Paint Layer Treatment: Following the structural work, the paint layer was consolidated, and areas of loss were carefully filled (infilled) and chromatically integrated (inpainted) to restore the aesthetic unity of the artwork.

The Result and Images

The intervention successfully addressed the structural vulnerabilities of the canvas, securing the mural by Vertis Hayes. The remounting onto the aluminum panel ensures its long-term stability and facilitates its eventual reinstallation in the artwork's new permanent home.