Daria Kuzak
Art Conservator
I am a graduate of easel painting and polychrome wooden sculpture conservation from the Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences (CICS) at TH Köln in Cologne, Germany, where I graduated with honours and received an award for the best master's project.
As an ambitious conservator with over ten years of international experience, I specialise in the conservation of easel paintings and wooden objects, combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest research-based techniques. Additionally, I conduct professional training and webinars on conservation materials, techniques, and technologies.
Every object I work on is a challenge and inspiration for me, and my mission is to act in harmony with art – combining craftsmanship and knowledge, traditional and modern conservation techniques along with research and international expertise.
During my career to date, I have built a rich conservation repertoire supported by sound knowledge and experience. I have had the opportunity to work on works from various eras – from the 14th to the 21st century – implementing projects for museums, private collections, auction houses, and cultural institutions.
As a researcher and academic assistant, I conducted tutorials for students at my alma mater in Germany, as well as specialised training for conservators in Poland, including conservation techniques, materials, and technology. I also collaborated as an independent researcher with the National Museum in Krakow on the project 'Missing parts of the Polyptych from Lusina'.
My passion, beyond practical conservation and restoration, is an interdisciplinary approach to conservation problems and sharing knowledge.
Institutions and studios I have had the chance to collaborate with
- Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg (SRAL), Netherlands
- Conservation studios of the Rhineland Office for Monument Preservation (LVR-Amt für Denkmalpflege im Rheinland), Germany
- Cliveden Conservation, UK
- National Museum in Kraków, Poland
- Schnütgen Museum, Cologne, Germany
- Suermondt-Ludwig Museum, Aachen, Germany
- Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln), Cologne, Germany
- Private conservation studios, including GRUPPE Köln and Kunstgriff Restaurierung, Cologne, Germany
Experience and Knowledge
EDUCATION
- Conservation of Easel Painting, Polychrome Wooden Sculpture and Contemporary Art (BA and MA) - Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences at Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany
- Conservation of Architectural and Urban Heritage (1-year Postgraduate Course) - Cracow University of Technology, Kraków, Poland
PRACTICAL COURSES AND SPECIALIST TRAINING
- Introduction to Woodworking – City of Oxford College, Oxford, UK
- Thread-to-thread Tear Mending in Canvas Support – Petra Demuth, TH Köln, Cologne, Germany
SYMPOSIA AND CONFERENCES
- NACCA (New Approaches in Conservation of Contemporary Art) Symposium 2018
- Art-DETOX – Methodology for Handling Contaminated Art and Cultural Heritage Objects
