Polymers in contemporary art objects at the Art Gallery of New South Wales: a study using infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

The common occurrence of polymer-based objects in museum and gallery collections means that conservators and curators require a knowledge of the polymer composition used in order to best address the care of an object. Polymer-based artworks can be examined and characterised using infrared spectroscopy. In this study, a variety of polymers from contemporary artworks in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales were examined using this technique. In addition to providing guidance on polymer components, the findings of this study have demonstrated the importance of the identification of additives in the formulation of the polymer systems employed by artists. Additives including fillers, plasticisers and processing agents present in appreciable concentrations in commercial polymers, complicate the interpretation of the infrared spectra of these materials. The findings of this collaborative study contribute to a growing resource of information on polymers in heritage collections.