צילום: איי פי
Art Restoration School Opens in Tel Aviv
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TEL AVIV - Russian-born Ilana Rifko-Golding, an elegant Grace Kelly type in her forties, is a rare bird in the Israeli art world: She lovingly restores original works of art ruined by the ravages of time.
Until her aliya to Israel 10 years ago, Rifko-Golding had been employed at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. She knew nothing of Israel prior to her arrival.
Several months ago, Rifko-Golding finally realized her long-term dream when she opened "The Master’s School of Art,” Israel's first school for art restoration in a brightly lit basement on Ben Yehuda Street in Tel Aviv.
She says she is not afraid that by opening a school for art restoration she would damage the thriving industry from which she makes her living
“Someone has to start teaching the trade here,” she says. “There are a few art restorers in Israel, but they primarily restore furniture and antiques. Most art restorers in Israel are actually artists looking to make some extra money, but they are not professional and more often than not they do more harm than good. That's when I end up getting their work.”
The two-year program offered at Rifko-Golding's "Master Studio of Art" takes place three times a week for three hours at a time. The study course is divided into three stages and includes subjects such restoration, academic art and art history.
She says the main problem she faced when opening the school was finding old paintings for students to practice on. Eventually, Rifko-Golding closed a deal with several churches in east Jerusalem.
The church walls were covered in old paintings, mostly in poor condition. Rifko-Golding suggested restoring these paintings pro-bono, most of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries
Besides these old paintings, Rifko-Golding finds new canvases on which worthless paintings are painted. She purposely ruins them so students can restore them.
Under Rifko-Golding’s supervision, students restore old paintings and keep a separate portfolio for each. The portfolio contains photographs of the various stages of restoration, with written reports on the painting's history, diagnosis, phases of restoration, and techniques used to restore it.
"After their graduation, students can show their diplomas as well as their portfolios, which assist them in finding employment," she says.
Each restoration class comprises five students. The cost of the two-year study course is NIS 40,000 ($9,100), and the duration of studies varies until students reach the Rifko-Golding’s stringent professional standards.
Rifko-Golding describes her teaching of art restoration as a calling.
“I'll be proud to say one day that I helped found Israel's next generation of art restorers,” she says.
