My Reflections on the 2025 IIC-ITCC Symposium in China

Written by Lillian Amwanda, Curator/Conservator, National Museums of Kenya (Kenya, ITP 2024).

In June 2025 I had the great honour of being selected by the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) to participate in the prestigious IIC-International Training Centre for Conservation (IIC-ITCC) Annual Conservation Training held in China. The training was hosted in collaboration with the renowned Palace Museum in Beijing and featured a two-day international symposium held in celebration of the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary.

The symposium brought together 120 conservation professionals from around the world and I was deeply honoured to be the sole African participant, an experience that filled me with immense pride and a strong sense of purpose in representing my beautiful continent on the global stage. As a conservator with the National Museums of Kenya, attending this symposium marked a major milestone in my professional journey. It provided me with a valuable platform to engage with global experts, explore diverse techniques, and reflect on shared challenges in painting conservation. I actively participated in the Q&A sessions – asking questions and sharing insights. I was particularly struck by how advanced technology is shaping restoration in other countries so different from Kenya, where we still rely heavily on traditional manual techniques. It left me with a powerful reflection on how we can bridge this gap and embrace innovation while honouring our local methods.

Q&A panel (Left) Lillian Amwanda posing a question (Right)

The symposium featured expert presentations on murals, oil paintings, Thangkas, and traditional Chinese painting – delivered by experienced professionals from different backgrounds. Their insights and technical expertise greatly enriched the discussions, offering very valuable perspectives on the conservation of cultural heritage. The symposium highlighted the ongoing global commitment to preserving art through innovation and shared knowledge in the field of conservation.

Of particular interest during the symposium were the presentations on mural painting conservation – an area especially relevant to Kenya – where many murals are located in open spaces and are therefore vulnerable to environmental degradation. I was especially fascinated by how several experts demonstrated the integration of modern technology with traditional restoration techniques to preserve these artworks more effectively. For instance, they showcased the use of digital imaging to assess damage, followed by the careful application of natural binding agents in line with indigenous practices. This thoughtful blend of innovation and tradition offered inspiring solutions to some of the challenges we face back home.

Among the captivating presentations was one by Jennifer Porter, who emphasized the critical importance of documenting the physical history of the conservation process. She highlighted how understanding the layers of intervention over time not only informs better preservation strategies but also enriches the interpretation of the artwork itself. Her talk was a powerful reminder that conservation is not just about fixing damage, but it is also about uncovering stories hidden within the material history of the piece.

Jane Henderson, Fang Xiaji Katherine, and Katherine Seymour presenting at the IIC-ITCC 2025.

Equally compelling was Katherine Seymour’s presentation, which explored alternative approaches to traditional lining systems through a detailed case study of a large-scale 18th-century ceiling painting. Her work offered a comprehensive examination of the conservation techniques used, shedding light on the complex challenges that come with treating such monumental artworks. What stood out was her ability to unpack not only the technical hurdles such as structural instability and material deterioration but also the creative, forward-thinking solutions her team implemented to stabilize and preserve the painting without compromising its integrity. Her presentation was inspiring – clearly demonstrating that with the right expertise and creativity, even the most daunting conservation challenges can be turned into success stories.

Amber Kerr’s presentation was nothing short of impressive. Her presentation was both captivating and enlightening as she shared the remarkable story of restoring a vandalized canvas that had been defaced with pencil graffiti. Using a laser cleaning system, Amber Kerr and her team were able to remove the graffiti without causing any harm to the original paint layer beneath. This is how science and artistry now go hand-in-hand in the world of conservation. Moments like this made me think: this is what the future of art restoration looks like.

Another Highlight was from Fang Xiaji Katherine, the Thangka conservation expert whose presentation was delivered with remarkable clarity. She walked us through how centuries-old Thangkas at the Palace Museum – sacred scrolls deteriorated by environmental factors – were carefully restored using scientific analysis. Her command of Thangka history, materials, and techniques was truly remarkable, especially as she explained how advanced pigment and textile testing guided each delicate intervention. Even though Thangkas aren’t part of the National Museums of Kenya’s collections, her presentation was incredibly insightful to me.

After all the dynamic and hands-on approaches in conservation, Jane Henderson brought a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective with her abstract on navigating standards in the conservation profession. Her presentation was a timely reminder that beyond the tools and techniques, every profession needs a solid framework of standards and guidelines to thrive, and conservation is no exception.

Jane spoke the very language of conservation, diving into the structure and function of ISO standards and how these operational mechanisms directly support ethical, consistent, and high-quality practice in the conservation field. Her insights highlighted how standards help unify the profession, ensuring that whether you’re conserving a painting in Beijing or a mural in Kenya, there’s a shared understanding of best practice. It was inspiring to see how global frameworks can strengthen local action, and her talk left me reflecting on the importance of accountability and collaboration in conservation work.

As the symposium came to a close, I was filled with admiration and hope not just for the future of conservation, but for the incredible women driving it forward. It reminded me of a moment during the International Training Programme at the British Museum in 2024, in a session where fellows were asked, “What if women ruled the world?”. The answer, in many ways, is already being lived: though women may not have fully had the chance to rule the world, they continue to make powerful strides in the field of conservation – leading, innovating, and inspiring change every day.

Each presentation was a testament to the skills, resilience and innovation that women bring to the preservation of our shared heritage. From the delicate restoration of murals and Thangkas, to the development of global standards – these women prove that conservation is not only a science and an art, but also a space for empowered voices and inclusive leadership. I left the 2025 IIC-ITCC training in China with my head high – inspired, equipped and proud to be part of a global community where women are not only participating, but powerfully leading the way in protecting our past for future generations.