RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION IN CONCRETE SCULPTURE

Thesis Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore the restoration and conservation in concrete sculpture especially as concrete is one of the oldest of the sculptural medium that has been in use in our contemporary society. Overtime, concrete sculpture has been left unattended to by the non-application of preservatives thereby exposing it to the effect of strong winds, extreme humidity and abrupt temperature changes leading to structural wear; and in most cases these bring about failure of the sculpture. The consequences of failed sculpture include the erosion of our cultural heritage, which leads to the loss of sculpture that are of historic and academic interest. In addition, sculpture failure is becoming more rampant and if not addressed may in no small way deter robust research into who we are and our productive artistic past. Based on this, objectives were set to address the problem. The methodology employed is that of survey and studio experimentation whereby failed concrete sculpture within the sculpture garden of the department of Fine and Industrial Arts of the University of Uyo were discussed. This research found out that there is a high negligence of sculpture as an essential feature of aesthetics in our built environment. These findings will be beneficial by encouraging the society to restore and conserve its neglected sculpture for posterity sake – as failure of sculpture is failure of the society, and inadvertently failure of the sculptor(s) involved.
The study recommends that ab initio, adequate provision of sculptural materials be made to include what is essential for its sustenance and preservation. In addition, restoration and conservation ethics and code be incorporated as it is obtained in other climes.