Mhairi Boyle

My fascination in East and South Asian art and culture began when for an MA in History of Art and Theology & Religious Studies. Wanting to take a practical approach to working with art, I enrolled on an MA in Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne (2016-2018) and fell in love with the Japanese traditions entrenched in the tools and techniques of paper conservation. Since then, I have been building my specialism in East and South Asian works on paper, having taken several specialist courses and trips to Japan to practice my Japanese.

I joined Artworks Conservation in 2023, after working as a freelancer in Australia and at the Centre for Research Collections at the University of Edinburgh. I particularly enjoy the variety of work we encounter here: one day I will be working on a Japanese screen or a Chinese painting on silk, and the next I will be working at a National Trust property to assess oversized maps. Personal highlights for me have been working on works by Hiroshige; Utamaro; Odilon Redon; Tracey Emin; Pablo Picasso; and David Hockney. Whether work comes via private clients or national institutions, I always find it satisfying to transform and stabilise works of art, so they are safeguarded for the future.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring what Yorkshire and Leeds have to offer, as well as planning trips to far-flung parts of the world. Next up, Mexico! In Leeds I can be found in a pottery studio or at a roller disco or cooking up a storm for friends at home with plenty of wine on the table.

What Our Clients Say

Quite frankly I am amazed at what you have achieved, given the derelict state of the poster when you took it in, and I consider the restoration work to be of the highest order.

Private client

You did an excellent job of reproducing a framed copy of our Royal Charter complete with a wax seal even though our wax seal was very damaged. It now hangs in our corporate box where it
looks very impressive to guests of the Hall.

former Archivist, Royal Albert Hall

Firstly, can I just say what an absolutely superb job you have done with my railway signal diagram, it is nothing less than brilliant and worth every penny of the restoration costs in my opinion.

Private client

Many thanks, Richard. The watercolour has come out very well and as usual you have done an excellent job.

Private client

The best cup of tea I’ve ever had in my life

Lancashire art courier

All three pictures arrived safely; thank you for packing them so well. We are bowled over with the restorations you have achieved for us.

Private client

I am exceedingly pleased with the work you did.

Private client

Magic

Private client

I must express my delight in the job you have done on my map. It is back in position looking magnificent, and I look at it without that dread of what damp and gravity might have been doing to it over the years.

Private client

A huge thanks from me – I’m really pleased with the results, and it was brilliant to be able to share the work with visitors. I know the team enjoyed working with you both, too.

House manager, National Trust

My colleagues and I are very impressed with the replica Charter. The document itself is an excellent reproduction, and the seal is very eye-catching. The mount and frame are also very
carefully made (I love how the document appears to float). We really appreciate all the hard work that has gone into it.

Archivist, Royal Hospital for Neuro – Disability

The artworks look great and I am really pleased with the end result. The lithograph looks brilliant. How did you manage to get the water damage out?

Private client