About Us
At CIACH, a wide variety of paintings are conserved with the highest level of care and expertise. These range from artworks created using ancient techniques to modern paintings composed of unconventional materials. Mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, egg tempera, and even encaustic with stained glass are treated, along with supports made of fabric, wood panel, paper, and more—all of which may require tailored conservation interventions. Restoration processes typically include cleaning, lining, pigment consolidation, retouching, mending of tears, and other treatments based on the nature and extent of deterioration. Whether it’s a damaged canvas or a delicate mural, our approach is grounded in thorough assessment and sensitive execution. Our conservators have worked on numerous historically significant paintings and murals. Each project begins with a comprehensive evaluation. For mural paintings and other site-bound artworks, we also perform on-site assessments—evaluating environmental conditions. Among our notable projects is the conservation of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings at the Vadodara Museum, preserved their original brilliance while ensuring long-term stability.
For over three decades, CIACH has stood as a silent guardian between art and oblivion. In the artworks we’ve helped preserve—the temple murals that continue to serve their sacred purpose, the oil paintings that re-engage modern viewers, the folk traditions we’ve safeguarded from vanishing. Our journey began with one conservator’s dedication to mastering the art of conservation. Over time, it grew into a team of skilled professionals. Whether restoring a Thanjavur painting or developing new methods for conserving mixed-media installations, our team embodies a unique dual vision. Some conservators reconstruct traditional techniques passed down through artisan lineages; others use other techniques to uncover an artwork’s hidden history. This diversity reflects a central truth: conservation lies at the intersection of craft and scholarship.
Every treatment at CIACH is guided by three principles: meticulous documentation, minimal intervention, and profound respect for an object’s cultural significance. From the adhesives we choose to the way we mentor emerging conservators, every decision is informed by a deep sense of responsibility—ethical, material, and cultural. As we look toward the future, CIACH remains committed to its founding ethos: to treat each artwork not as a problem to be solved, but as a conversation across time—one that demands our finest skills, thoughtful judgment, and deepest humility.
