Lisa Mansfield is a Time-Based Art Conservator at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, Australia. Their work involves the conservation and restoration of technologies, both old and new, as well as other durational works, including video, audio, software-based art, choreography, performance and more.
Mansfield worked in the publishing industry for 20 years before taking a leap of faith into conservation, inspired by one particularly engaging conversation at a garage sale. But contrary to common belief that conservators need only work with objects, Mansfield tells ArtsHub that interpersonal skills, collaboration and building community are equally important on the job. Though they certainly do come across some interesting objects that need unique problem-solving along the way – ever wondered what it takes to maintain a gaming joystick for a gallery collection?
