Alexandra Kosinova ACR
Projects
About Me
I am a self-employed conservator with forty years of experience in museum and galleries, archaeological and private practice. From 1984 to 1992 I practiced in Australia and the UK. I joined the Conservation Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum for ten years as a full-time senior sculpture conservator, from 1992 to 2002. I returned to private practice in 2002. From 2010 to 2020 I taught a yearly practical workshop, The Filling and Retouching of Three-dimensional Objects, for students of the conservation course at City and Guilds of London Art School.
My specialism can be summed up as polychrome surfaces on three-dimensional objects, in architectural settings and archaeological sites. My favourite skill is uncovering of overpainted polychrome schemes, decorative or originally unpainted surfaces. Where relevant, I support my conservation treatment by microscopic identification of pigments and cross sections.
Some of my projects are carried out with my husband, Greg Howarth ACR, who is an easel paintings, wall paintings and polychrome specialist. His profile is listed on this Conservation Register. Occasionally I join teams of conservators on large-scale projects as an assistant to the lead conservator.
My clients include institutions, such as the Tate Gallery or the Wallace Collection in London, as well as private clients. As a sculpture conservation consultant for the Tate since 2003 I support permanent staff in installation and de-installation of exhibitions, condition assessment of sculptures and carrying out conservation treatment.
My archaeological conservation experience comes from working on sites in Sakkara and Luxor in Egypt, and Usli and Kurru in North Sudan. Most of these projects are part of ongoing missions run by the Czech Institute of Egyptology based in Prague, Czech Republic, others are participation in Egyptian or American expeditions.
Client Testimonials
Alexandra has worked as a freelance contractor at Tate for many years and I have worked with her for the last four. Alexandra's wide range of experience of historic and contemporary materials and art brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the work required at Tate.
Alexandra works both independently and with the Tate sculpture team, art handlers and curators, she is experienced in discussions, negotiations and can asses the situation and offer up options and solutions. She works along side teams to install, document and update records for major exhibition installs at Tate Modern and Tate Britain. She has also carried out treatments on artworks and created treatment options and final condition reports.
Alexandra is reliable and consistent with her time management and skill set she offers and I will continue to use her skill set at Tate to support the extensive exhibition programme
Deborah Cane ACR, FIIC, MA, Dip Cons
Conservation Manager - Sculpture and Installation Art, TATETraining
Diploma in Conservation of Wood, Stone and Polychrome Finishes, City and Guilds of London Art School. Completed with Distinction.
Certificate in Mural Paintings Conservation, ICCROM, Rome, Italy
Work History
Senior Sculpture Conservator in the Conservation Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
