Margaret Ballardie in Memoriam
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Margaret Ballardie, who died on 29 September aged 90, originally trained as a painter and a paintings’ restorer and went on to become an acknowledged expert and educator in the Conservation of Decorative Surfaces.

Margaret began her teaching career at City & Guilds of London Art School in the early 1970s and ran the Restoration Diploma Course, which at that time encompassed both what is now BA (Hons) Conservation Studies and Diploma Historic Carving. She understood the growing importance of conservation and worked to develop this aspect of study within the course. Her passion for lacquer, both Urushi and Japanning, and for gilding, painted decoration and other techniques was inspirational for many students throughout her association with the Art School, which lasted into the late 1990s. Margaret’s enthusiasm and energy were irresistible and infectious and many of her students became life long friends. She was influential in the professional world of conservation and contributed to a number of publications, supporting others with their research and professional projects.

One of Margaret’s many important legacies was the establishment in 1994 of the David Ballardie Prize in memory of her son, an artist who studied at the Art School. Many students at City & Guilds of London Art School have benefited from this generous annual prize that continues to support individual students to carry out and research ambitious projects either in the UK or abroad.
Margaret also taught on the short lived but influential Monument Conservation course at Croydon College of Art in the late 1970s and on the Restoration Course at San Servolo in Venice.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Quin and her daughter Carole and is remembered with great affection by the Art School where she played such an important and positive role.

Jennifer Dinsmore. Stone Conservation Lead Tutor and Module Leader

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