Connie, a white woman in her early 20s with long black hair and a fringe. She is smiling to the left of the camera and wearing a black vest top. The photo is in black and white.

Connie Symonds

(she/her)

Summary

After sixth form, I was unsure about what I wanted to do. I did not know if university was the right option for me. So, I started to investigate what I enjoyed about all my subjects, and these interests combined gave me the answer of conservation, from which I found the course and decided it was the right choice for me. I enjoy increasing the longevity of an object. I also love oddities and historical items, and conservation allows me to view a wide range of objects and analyse their histories and values. Conservation, to me, means restoring the memories attached to an object through practical means. It can also be a really satisfying process to see the object throughout its conservation.  

Connie is leaning over a bench working on a plaster cast of a skull, using acrylic paints on a fine paintbrush to retouch areas of loss on the coating.
Retouching areas of loss on the coating

Career Aspirations

After graduation, I hope to secure a job in the heritage sector based in Manchester. Ideally, I would be working within conservation in a museum setting, but this is something I may need to work my way up to achieve.  

Personal Reflection

One of the skills I developed this year was colour-matching for retouching. My first attempt on the frame proved difficult, but as I worked on the base of the taxidermy owl and covered deteriorated sections of the coating of the plaster skull cast, my skills have greatly improved. I am now much more confident in the skill. Creating faux fur for the taxidermy mouse on the owl diorama came with challenges, but I now believe I could recreate a similar piece of faux fur with ease.  An unexpected skill I gained was building the glass display case for the owl. I learnt the importance of precise measurements and how to research and source materials. A skill I hope to improve as I continue in my conservation journey is the more scientific side, I would like to master the many charts and calculations we use in conservation as they can help in deciding between solvents and material compatibility.  

Exhibition Objects

Click on the image to learn more.

Taxidermy owl perched on a completed green natural style base, with conserved taxidermy mouse.
Taxidermy Owl and Mouse
Front view of human skull cast prior to conservation. White bloom can be seen over the surface of cast, and the surface is discoloured to a dark brown colour. The skull sits next to a paper scale.
Plaster Cast Skull