Meet Pei Pei

Headshot of Pei Pei. She is a Southeast Asian Chinese female, wearing a grey turtleneck long-sleeved top. She has mid-length dark brown hair. She is smiling.

Why I Chose Conservation

Armed with communication design and fine art skills, my first encounter with conservation dated to 2010 when I was offered the opportunity to receive on-the-job training at the National Archives of Singapore, focusing on providing treatments for a collection of rare books. The meaningful notion of preserving for future generations and contributing to the legacy of cultural heritage resonates with me. Subsequently, I found my way into the commercial art galleries sector. The gallery experience reinforced the value of conservation as I witnessed and helped to resolve several issues faced by clients in the maintenance of their art collection. It led me to rethink about my career and what more could I bring to the field of arts, cultural and heritage. In an effort to upskill, a conscious decision was made to go back to school.  

Career Aspirations

In a rapidly-evolving world, I keep an open mind in seeking new and varied opportunities to contribute to the arts, cultural and heritage sector. Ideally, I would love to develop a career which ultimately combines my transferable skills and diverse interests in a broad range of subjects including conservation, art, communication design, marketing and public engagement. 

Best University Experience

I would say it is the overall combined experience of being able to broaden my perspectives and expand my skills through an array of work placements and volunteering opportunities offered or facilitated by the University.

These include but not limited to – rehousing of historic royal charters in Lincoln Guildhall, assisting Lincoln Conservation to conserve a selection of gilt frames for a local museum, acquiring specific techniques pertaining to conservation of leather artefacts at the Leather Conservation Centre and gaining knowledge about engineering conservation through partial reassembly of a working model at the National Museum Scotland. The diversity of the overall experience aligned with my career aspirations and boosted my confidence.

Pei Pei is bent over a table upon which sits a re-display of historic royal charters at the Lincoln Guildhall.
Redisplay of historic royal charters at the Lincoln Guildhall.
Pei Pei can be seen applying gold leaf with a gilder's tip to a golden frame.
Being part of a team to regild a historic frame during my summer internship at the Lincoln Conservation.
'Before and after treatment' images of a foldable X-chair (also known as Savonarola chair). The split on the composite leather seat was repaired with archival leather and Japanese tissue paper, relined with a non-woven polyester fabric.
‘Before and after treatment’ images of a foldable X-chair (also known as Savonarola chair). The split on the composite leather seat was repaired with archival leather, toned Japanese tissue paper and relined with a non-woven polyester fabric. This conservation was undertaken during my placement at the Leather Conservation Centre.

Add Pei Pei on LinkedIn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peipeilee/

Pei Pei’s Exhibition Objects

Click on an object below to learn more about its treatment.

A Holy Bible produced in the mid-17th century by John Field. The image shows the spine, cover and pages of the bible which all show signs of deterioration.
A 1920's Metal Mesh Evening Handbag. The bag has areas of loss across the main body of the obejct. The top of the bag has an ornate clasp design and a metal link handle.