About

Graham Bignell is an Accredited Conservator-Restorer. Graham trained in archive conservation at the Public Records Office, London, after which he worked as a conservator for the civil service for 10 years. In 1980 he undertook a diploma in Prints and Drawings Restoration at Camberwell College of Arts, London. Graham set up his first studio in 1981, moved to larger premises in 1986, and has been at Coronet Street since 1993. The studio is listed on the Institute of Conservation (ICON) Conservation Register.

Graham is additionally the Founder and a Partner of New North Press; a letterpress printing studio housing an extensive library of wood and metal type. www.new-north-press.co.uk

Graham regularly works with a team of highly qualified and experienced Paper Conservators who also work for many national and international museums, institutions, collectors and other private clients:

Patricia Arevalo Puerta completed her conservation degree at the School of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Madrid, specialising in book and paper conservation. In 2014, Patricia benefited from a Leonardo da Vinci Programme post graduate internship, which brought her to the UK and to Graham Bignell Studio where she has worked since in a freelance capacity. She also regularly undertakes conservation work for private clients within the UK and abroad.

Eleanor Johnson holds a BA in Fine Art from the University of Leeds, and an MA in the Conservation of Works of Art on Paper from the University of Northumbria. Eleanor has worked at Graham Bignell Studio since 2014 and also takes on regular freelance work for the Hayward Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and for various private art dealers and collectors. Previously Eleanor completed a two-year Paper Conservation internship at the Tate, and has worked for the Arts Council Collection, The National Archives and the Frazer Nash Archives.

Ian MacDonald studied Art and Design at Ealing School of Art. His career since has included historical events production, festival administration, theatre work, illustration, letterpress printing and ceramic artist. Ian began to work as a paper conservator at Graham Bignell Studio in 1988 and has since been involved in numerous projects with a particular focus on historic archives and facsimiles.

Tanya Millard gained a BA in Fine Art from Wimbledon School of Art, and an MA in Paper Conservation from Camberwell College of Arts. She currently works part time for The Courtauld Gallery, and additionally undertakes regular freelance work for the Royal Academy of Arts and the National Portrait Gallery. Previously Tanya has worked as a paper conservator for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, The National Archives, the Ashmolean Museum, the British Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She has worked for Graham Bignell Studio since 2014.

Tatjana Morozova gained a BA from Minsk State College of Art, Belarus, specialising in classical painting and drawing techniques. She also holds a BA in Fine Art, specialising in Time Based Media and Printing from Wimbledon College of Art, UAL. Tatjana joined Graham Bignell Studio in 2009 where she has since utilised her extensive knowledge of painting media and colour throughout the numerous challenging projects she has undertaken. Tatjana additionally works for numerous private clients and studios within the UK.

Natalia Szterk studied Fine Arts and History of Art in Poland before completing a BA in Conservation at City & Guilds of London Art School in 2014. She specializes in the conservation of gilt wooden objects, frames, paper and parchment, and also has experience in the conservation of stone monuments and historic interiors. Natalia has worked at Graham Bignell Studio since 2011, and additionally works for private clients both within the UK and in Poland. Previously she has completed an internship with the Museum of London and worked for private conservators in Poland.

Mari Watanabe holds a Masters degree in the Conservation and Restoration of Paper and Leather of Fine Art from Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.Since 2006 Mari has worked as a paper conservator for a number of museums, government institutions and private practices, both in Poland and the UK. These include the State Archive, Lodz, Poland, the Oxford Conservation Consortium, the Ashmolean Museum, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Academy of Arts. Mari has worked for Graham Bignell Studio since 2015.