Severe Termite Infestation: Conservation of the EDSA Shrine Oil Mural Painting on Canvas

Abstract

Severe termite infestation resulted in the loss of around 80% of the canvas in one of the four panels of the Philippine’s Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Shrine’s oil mural painting mounted on plywood. Eight colonies of termites were discovered tunnelling through the cracks in the concrete walls coming from plant boxes outside the building. Initial work required eradication of the termites’ source and reduction of moisture from the exterior wall. Preparation of the interior wall behind the panels included waterproofing, polyester insulation and application of a lime-based plaster. Several layers of RK-0 tissue, Chiang-mai tissue, gauze and cheesecloth were used as facing prior to de-installation. Treatment of the damaged artwork followed the five basic steps, (1) cleaning, (2) chemical stabilisation, (3) physical stabilisation, (4) aesthetic unity and (5) protection with ultraviolet stable varnish. After cleaning the back of the painting eaten by termites, the paint layer soiled with frass, was swabbed with peroxide, flattened with tissue, brushed with cellulose fibre-reinforced plaster and relined with de-acidified canvas. The restored painting exhibited shrinkage in size with wrinkling of paint. In lieu of infested plywood, it was re-mounted on a stretcher and reinstalled with a spacer from the wall provided for ventilation.