Immensely grateful today for museum-grade climate control in our studios today. Remember museums and galleries are cool spaces in more ways than one 😎 ❄️

Happy Summer Solstice! This time of year we always think of Stonehenge where we manufactured and installed mounts for the permanent and temporary galleries. The inclusion of Human Skeletons within the display gave us the insight to treat the remains of our ancestors with respect and compassion.

Exhibition Recommendation: Classic Art London opens next week 22nd June - 4th July across St James's. Pick your route through the capital's finest galleries and dealers. What shows are on your list? https://www.classicartlondon.uk/planning-your-trip

Classic Art London

classicartlondon.uk

Sad news today, David Hockney died at 88. Celebrated worldwide, he leaves an incredible legacy in his work. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...

Celebrated British artist David Hockney dies aged 88

The painter's style was one of the most recognisable in the modern era.

bbc.co.uk

Our pick of the week is an easily missed display at Hever Castle: Found behind the gift shop in 1/12th scale, crafted by English miniaturist furniture maker John J. Hodgson, are Hever Castle's historic interiors through the ages. https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/miniature-model-house

When this contemporary ceramic vessel arrived at the studio, its future was uncertain. Our client's email simply asked: "Any Miracles Possible?" While restoration is never magic, expertise, patience, and attention to detail can achieve remarkable results. Swipe to see the vessel before and after.

It's lovely to have a project we can talk about while it is happening: Our furniture conservation team has been hard at work on the Courtroom No. 2 dock where Oscar Wilde stood to hear his charges in 1895. Come to the Museum Late on 19th June to find out more: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/museum-lat...

MUSEUM LATE: Pride, Protest, & Preserving Our History

Join us this June for a late museum opening to celebrate Pride Month.

eventbrite.co.uk

Bow Street Museum@bowstreetmuseum.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Project Update! Conservation work started this week on the original dock from Courtroom No. 2. For your chance to see the conservation work in action, visit on Fri 22nd May, when Conservator Pavol Hudacek will be back on site Thanks to the #NationalLottery #HeritageFund for your vital support

It's #MuseumWeek Today's prompt is #IfObjectsCouldSpeakMW. With the social history of our building there are so many objects we could have chosen but the stories we're yet to uncover about the Dock from Court No.2 might be the most enlightening yet. We'll be sharing more behind the scenes shots soon

Finally a headline we can all get behind: Regularly engaging in the arts makes you younger. That brightened up the Today programme no end. Great reporting from Pallab Ghosh and Prof. Daisy Fancourt https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nkmx2v Wellcome Trust

Regular arts as good at slowing ageing as gentle exercise - study - BBC Sounds

Scientists say arts engagement may help slow ageing by reducing stress and inflammation.

bbc.co.uk

First Chiswick Auctions in Feb now Ardingly last week, the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team are bring kept busy by the antiques and militaria trade. https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2026/police-called-to-ardingly-fair-after-suspected-live-shell-discovered-by-dealer

Wonderful to see Heritage crafts and skills celebrated in The Times last week, it is so important that heritage skills at risk are being highlighted. https://www.thetimes.com/article/527416e1-beab-4ab2-b246-493de0c5860d?shareToken=8b40f2916a264a476932c58dd140e0a2

London’s historic sites face ruin as specialist skills dwindle

The capital’s heritage buildings — 600 of which are in urgent need of restoration — are kept from disrepair by an ever-shrinking pool of master craftspeople

thetimes.com

Our Senior Ceramics Conservator Madeleine has been part of our conservation team for 20 years today! Madeleine has a wealth of expertise which extends to work on stone and enamel with flawless results. Congrats Mads! https://plowden-smith.com/restoration-conservation-services/ceramic-restoration/

We were excited recently to be able to visit conservator & mount makers @plowdensmith.bsky.social who are creating a new base & undertaking specialist conservation treatment of a bronze head of Alexander Fleming sculpted in c.1955 by artist Frank Kovacs in the @rcphysicians.bsky.social collection.

Our exhibition recommendation of the week is Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, which has just opened at the V & A South Kensington. Tickets for this exhibition are already fully booked for the next month, so be sure to book in advance. https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/schiaparelli#articles

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art - Exhibition at V&A South Kensington · V&A

This exhibition traces the history, impact and continuing influence of one of the 20th century’s most innovative fashion creatives, Elsa Schiaparelli.

vam.ac.uk

Our Easter holiday recommendation is the Britten Pears sculpture park at Snape Maltings in Suffolk. A highlight of the visit is this Barbara Hepworth series of sculptures, The Family of Man (1970).

As Easter is approaching, we want to share a restoration project that we are honoured to have completed for St. Winefride Church in Wimbledon, not far from our studios. This outdoor wooden crucifix is situated atop the church's WWI memorial, tiled forecourt, and surrounding mound.

Happy Easter break!🐇🐣 Please note that our offices, studios, and workshops will be closed for Easter holidays on Good Friday and on Easter Monday, 3rd April - 6th April.

Spanish painter and printmaker Francisco Goya was born on this day in 1746. Goya's work embodies the Romanticism through which he reflected political turmoil. A Picnic, 1785-90 is currently on display in The National Gallery. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/francisco-de-goya-a-picnic

Francisco de Goya | A Picnic | NG1471 | National Gallery, London

View: Francisco de Goya, A Picnic. Read about this painting, learn the key facts and zoom in to discover more.

nationalgallery.org.uk

Born on this day in 1853, Vincent Van Gogh is among the most famous figures in the history of Post-Impressionist art. His renowned Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear is currently on display at The Courtauld Gallery. https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/self-portrait-with-bandaged-ear/

Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear

Discover Vincent van Gogh's famous painting Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear at The Courtauld Gallery, based at Somerset House in central London.

courtauld.ac.uk

Rose Wylie has become the first female painter to have a solo exhibition in the main galleries of the Royal Academy. The exhibition is open until 19th April. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/rose-wylie?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23619667838&gbraid=0AAAAADpkcW1_wKphlBYvcVO-hvm_BzA0K

Rose Wylie | Royal Academy of Arts

Meet the rebel painter of the British art world.

royalacademy.org.uk

Our exhibition recommendation of the week is Eduardo Paolozzi's pop art showcase, General Dynamic F.U.N, now on display at the Usher Gallery. The exhibition is free to visit, full of colour, and open until 7 June 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7el123vn9o

Paolozzi's pioneering pop art on show at Usher Gallery in Lincoln

General Dynamic F.U.N includes works produced by the Edinburgh-born artist between 1965 and 1970.

bbc.co.uk

After spending decades overlooked and forgotten in the museum's attic, Georges de La Tour's 17th century painting The Dice Players has finally returned to the spotlight. The artwork went back on display this week at Preston Park Museum in Stockton. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx4dd0ej7o

Stockton museum artwork hidden in attic for years back on display

The Dice Players is considered the most internationally celebrated artwork at Preston Park Museum.

bbc.co.uk

A new Keith Haring exhibit has opened at the Moco Museum, but where are his iconic vibrant colours? Thirty of his black-and-white drawings are now on view. The exhibit will be open through June 2026. Access the link below to learn more: https://www.mocomuseum.com/news/london/keith-haring-exhibition/

Born on this day in 1599, Anthony van Dyck was the most important Flemish painter of the 1600s and is celebrated for his mythological pictures. Cupid and Psyche, 1640, accompanied by his other works, is on display at The National Gallery. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/anthony-van-dyck

Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641) | National Gallery, London

Van Dyck was the most important Flemish painter of the 17th century after Rubens, whose works influenced the young Van Dyck. He also studied and was profoundly influenced by the work of Italian artists, above all, Titian. Van Dyck was an extremely successful portraitist and painter of religious and…

nationalgallery.org.uk

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama was born on this day in 1929. Kusama's solo exhibition is no longer on view in London, but her infinity mirror room installations are now on display at the Museum Ludwig until August 2, 2026. https://www.museum-ludwig.de/en/home/exhibitions/yayoi-kusama

Yayoi Kusama at Museum Ludwig

To mark its fiftieth anniversary, the Museum Ludwig in Cologne is dedicating a major exhibition to the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in 2026. Kusama (*1929, Matsumoto) is one of the most renowned artists of our time. Her iconic polka dots, pumpkin sculptures, and Infinity Mirror Rooms have become a kind of trademark, appearing millions of times over on social media. The exhibition takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Kusama’s entire oeuvre, from her first drawing, dating back to ca.1934, to a newly commissioned installation. More than three hundred works will be featured,...

museum-ludwig.de

Will street art become the historic works of the future? Community members of Stanley, County Durham, have claimed that the new public art in their town has brightened the area and brought some 'much needed vibrancy.' Read more below: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrz7rgx852o

On international Happiness Day, here is a reminder that art is more than its commercial value. Explore more about the impact of art on our wellbeing: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/13/not-just-dollars-euros-and-pounds-art-has-deep-value-for-wellbeing

Not just dollars, euros and pounds: Tefaf speaker sets out art’s deep value for wellbeing

The Tefaf Summit during the fair in Maastricht explores the impact of art beyond economics, and how culture’s role in public policy can be rethought

theartnewspaper.com

Good news for the art world: after two consecutive years of decline, the global art market is showing signs of recovery. See the following Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report for more information: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/12/art-basel-ubs-art-market-report-2025-four-percent-growth

Global art sales grew 4% in 2025 but remain below pre-pandemic levels, Art Basel and UBS report finds

Political volatility and mounting operational costs weigh heavily on the trade, which ticked up to an estimated $59.6bn in 2025 after two years of decline

theartnewspaper.com

Following 2 years of study, researchers at the Rijksmuseum have demonstrated that the painting Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633) is a Rembrandt. The museum found that the paints, technique and wooden panel all confirm the date and authenticity. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Rembrandt's Vision of Zacharias in the Temple rediscovered after 65 years

The painting, created by the Dutch master in 1633, had disappeared after being sold in 1961.

bbc.co.uk

Polished steel surfaces, incorporation of industrial elements, choosing welding over casting. These elements and more from David Smith's work all foreshadowed styles recognisable in sculpture today. www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks... #ArtistBirthday #Sculpture