Monika, a white woman in her early 20s with long wavy blond hair. She is sitting at an angle to the camera, with a wide smile, wearing a black hooded jumper. She is resting her hands on her knee. The photo is in black and white.

Monika Czaja 

Summary

My journey into heritage conservation is a result of my passion for art, product design and craft, alongside my commitment to sustainability. I enjoy the artistic process of repair as a means of keeping objects alive, honouring their stories and the people who crafted them. I believe that the act of creating is deeply ingrained into the human experience, and that the history of our creativity is the foundation for our heritage. Conservation satisfies my curiosity for the way objects are made and the stories they tell. It also gives me the opportunity to use problem solving and manual skills to preserve those stories, which I find very enjoyable and fulfilling. 

Monika is hunched forward working on plaster death mask. She is holding a cotton swab and removing the surface soiling. The mask is resting on a cushion and a sheet of acid-free tissue.
Cleaning of a plaster death mask

Career Aspirations 

After graduation I hope to enrol for a master’s programme in Sustainable Heritage Management, alongside gaining experience while working on a variety of conservation and restoration projects. A big goal of mine is to be able to connect communities with their heritage through the concept of maintenance and repair, focusing on bringing awareness to conservation as a sustainable way to preserve history. Through my career I aspire to continuously expand on my knowledge and skills. My intentions for the future are to contribute to the conservation of heritage, foster the heritage values within my local community and express myself creatively through art. 

Exhibition Objects

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Front view of the plaster death mask - removed non-original yellow ochre pigment applied previously to unify the surface. Visible loses to original surface coating and exposed restored area on the right side of the figure's face. Colour and scale reference card included.
Death Mask
Front view of the maker’s cab plate before conservation treatment. Visible loses to original surface coatings, areas of corroded iron, surface soiling and stains. Colour and scale reference card included.
Cab Plate – Welsh Pony