Metalwork
The conservation and making of metalwork programmes will prepare you for wide-ranging opportunities in a variety of prestigious national and international institutions and businesses. Postgraduates have worked in The British Armouries, National Maritime Museum, Hall Conservation, Plowden & Smith, the National Gold Museum, Columbia, Bogota and have set up their own businesses in the conservation of architectural metalwork. You will have a have your own workbench and receive inductions on machinery and tool processes, carry out practical tests and treatment on objects as well as fulfilling four main practical elements including working on ferrous metals, copper alloys and precious and plated metals. 75% of the programme is practical, the remainder on conservation and professional practice. You will also attend seminars, lectures and produce a competitive portfolio as well as conservation research and data. You will finally exhibit and learn how to talk about your work and develop a specialist area. You will also meet other conservation disciplines and be visited by associate tutors and specialists. The programme is supported by the British Antique Dealers Association. Matthew Read, MA, is your programme leader, Jon Privett your metalwork tutor established a metal conservation and restoration workshop before joining West Dean.
Graduate Diploma (University of Sussex Award)
Practical Work
Following inductions on machinery and processes you will make tools and carry out practical treatment exercises on objects and test
pieces you have made.There are four main practical elements to the programme: treatment techniques for ferrous metals and copper alloys, white metals, precious and plated metals. 75% of the programme is practical.
Conservation Theory and Practice
You will support your practical work with the study of: metal artefacts, history and conservation theory, and practice and a materials
science programme. This will be supported by visits to collections and workshops. You will also learn examination techniques,cleaning
and how to produce conservation report.
Professional Practice
You will help organise and then undertake site work for real clients, learn to estimate and tender for work. Seminars, lectures and case studies all add to producing a competitive portfolio of treated objects and skills.
Exibition of Practical Work
An important display of your work: guidance will be given about how to talk about your work to specialist and non specialist audiences.
Entry Requirements
Degree or qualification at equivalent level to a second year of undergraduate study e.g. HNC, HND, DipHE and significant interest and ability in conservation and metalsmithing.
“Having left West Dean I intend to start my own business in the conservation of architectural metalwork at home in Northern Ireland. West Dean has played a vital role so that I may achieve this goal and it is an experience I will always value.”
David Orr, Metalwork
Postgraduate Diploma (University of Sussex Award)
Students study the four practical units simultaneously which allows for a lively studio atmosphere and exchange of information and techniques.
Practical Work
The practical elements (75%) of the programme are based on assessment and treatment of clients’ objects There are four main practical elements to the programme. Treatment techniques for: ferrous metals; copper alloys; white metals and precious and plated metals.
Metalwork Theory and History
You will study the history of art and design for metalwork and mixed media objects and develop your understanding of metals
and treatments through science, research, and discussion of ethics.
Professional Practice
You will help organise and then undertake site work for real clients, learn to estimate and tender for work. You will network,
visit museums and collections, attend seminars and undertake an (optional) work placement(s).
Conservation Research Projects
A You will carry out research and data collection in order to produce object reports and essays. A written assignment supported by practical experimental work on a negotiated aspect of materials technology in conservation will highlight your skills and develop a specialist area.
Exhibition of Work
An important display at the end of the year of your work and skills is supported by your portfolio. You will learn how to talk about your work to specialist and nonspecialist audiences.
Entry Requirements
A good first degree in Conservation of Museum Studies, or successful completion of West Dean’s Graduate Diploma in Metalwork Conservation.
Professional Development Diploma (West Dean College Award)
Students wishing to carry out a Professional Development Diploma in their chosen subject should have considerable experience in a relevant industry or successful completion of a relevant diploma or degree and the submission of a project proposal and /or research project.
Entry Requirments
Considerable experience in Conservation or Metalsmithing or successful completion of a West Dean Diploma (or equivalent) allows the
student to define a negotiated course of study.
MA Conservation Studies/MA Design (University of Susssex Award)
All Postgraduate Diplomas at West Dean can be transferred into the MA Degree programmes, thereby extending the duration of study from one academic year to a full calendar year.Mid-way through the academic year (February), students on postgraduate programmes commence MA units in addition to the remainder of their Postgraduate Diploma.On successful completion of the full academic year (July), students will have finished their Postgraduate Diploma and completed a significant amount of MA introductory study. In July, students commence their major projects for the MA degree which involve a further 10-week period of full-time study with a final assessment towards the end of September.
Entry Requirements
Candidates registered on the postgraduate diploma will have fulfilled the entry requirements for the MA, subject to the negotiation of an appropriate MA project.
For further information about the MA Design please click here
Specialist Facilities
The programme is delivered in the purposebuilt metalwork conservation workshop.There are also dedicated specialist areas for soldering and welding, a tool room and a machine shop with a selection of power tools. You can also make use of the on-site silversmiths and
blacksmiths departments.
Programme Leader
Matthew Read MA
Before joining West Dean in 2009, Matthew built up a considerable reputation as a clock conservator in the UK and Europe. After graduating
from West Dean he worked at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich from 2000 - 2004 as a Conservator and Assistant Curator of Horology. This was
followed by five years as a self-employed conservator working on projects within the field of Conservation and Repair of Clocks and Automata.
Metalwork Tutor
Jon Privett
Jon is a metals conservator. After graduating from West Dean’s PGDip in the Conservation and Restoration of Metalwork, he established a metal
conservation and restoration workshop/practice to carry out freelance contract conservation work for museums, private clients and the antiques
trade. He returned to West Dean College in 2006 as Programme Tutor.
Metalwork Associate Tutors
Dana Goodburn-Brown, Justin Hill and Belinda Hager.
Programme Advisor
Hazel Newey: Former Head of Conservation, Science Museum
Richard Rogers: Richard Rogers Conservation
Charles Truman: Specialist in precious metalwork.
Past students have had work placements or have been offered employment at The British Museum, Royal Armories, National Maritime Museum,
National Museum of Scotland, Fitzwilliam Museum, National Gold Museum Columbia and at UK businesses including Plowden & Smith, Hall Conservation and Richard Rogers Conservation.
For student profiles please click here
To view our conservation students blog please click here
Admissions
Application forms and further information on how to apply click here. An admissions panel, including a programme tutor, will consider your application and if you fulfil the entry requirements you will be invited to visit West Dean for an interview and practical test with the programme tutor and another senior member of academic staff.
