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Assistant Professor
Institute of Conservation
Joana Silva
I am a researcher dedicated to preserving our photographic heritage and making it accessible. My research brings together conservation, materials science and cultural heritage studies to understand how photographic materials age and change over time. I help develop strategies for their safe storage and exhibition so future generations can continue to experience and interpret these objects.
Joana Silva
Current work
Colour photographs are an important part of our photographic heritage and shape our collective memory of people, places and culture. Unfortunately, many of these images are intrinsically unstable and are gradually fading away.
Colour slides were widely used in photojournalism, fine art, education and advertising, and millions are now preserved in museums and archives worldwide. Yet, even in darkness, these images slowly change. My research investigates how colour slides degrade during long-term storage. By studying naturally aged collections with different analytical methods, I aim to improve preventive conservation strategies that can help extend the lifespan of these fragile photographic materials.
Colour slides were designed to be projected, but projecting them causes rapid deterioration. As a result, exhibitions often rely on digital copies, which cannot fully convey the aesthetic qualities of the original slides. My research uses artificial light-ageing tests and experimental display methods to explore how museums can safely present these materials while allowing audiences to experience slide-based works more fully.
Vast numbers of photographs and films in collections are made from plastic supports that severely degrade over time. They can release acidic compounds, warp, become brittle and lose their original properties. I investigate the relationship between the chemical composition and mechanical behaviour of these materials. Understanding how and why they deteriorate helps conservators design better storage conditions to slow down decay.
By combining knowledge in conservation science and practice, my research helps safeguard fragile photographic materials and preserve the values they carry for future generations.