A Closer Look: Conservation in Action: Demons and Demon Quellers

Interview with Jacki Elgar, Pamela and Peter Voss Head of Asian Conservation

Rachel Kase, from the Development Subcommittee of the Museum Council Steering Committee, recently sat down with Jacki Elgar, Pamela and Peter Voss Head of Asian Conservation, to discuss: “Conservation in Action.”

RK: “Conservation in Action” is a special program and one that is unique to the MFA. Can you explain “Conservation in Action” and its history at the Museum?

JE: For the Museum’s Asian Conservation Studio, this is only the second project of its kind. Our first exhibition was “Preserving Nirvana,” in which we worked on the Japanese masterpiece Death of Buddha (1713). We wanted to encourage interaction with the public, which inspired us to include conservation pieces within larger exhibitions.

“Preserving Nirvana” was so successful that we planned the current exhibition, "Demons and Demon Quellers." We received funding and worked extensively with the design team to make it dynamic and exciting. The conservation painting around which it is organized, Marshal Xin of Thunder (16th century), is even larger than Death of Buddha. It's also Chinese, not Japanese, offering the public a diversity in art.

RK: I understand that Marshal Xin of Thunder is a Chinese hanging scroll from the 16th century. Can you tell us a bit more about the piece and how it was selected for conservation?

JE: The piece came into the Museum in 1989. The painting is 12 feet tall and had only been unrolled once or twice when it entered our collection. Unrolling such a large piece is not easy!

Some of our conservators really wanted to look at the piece and Nancy Berliner, Wu Tung Curator of Chinese Art, wanted to use it in an exhibition. The only space we thought would be large enough to unroll it was a gallery. The resulting exhibition, “Demons and Demon Quellers,” is pan-Asian, including Korean and Japanese paintings and prints, as well as a contemporary Chinese video. Together, they emphasize the central importance of ghost stories and demons in many Asian cultures.

RK: I understand that the identity of the subject of Marshal Xin of Thunder has recently changed. Can you tell us about this discovery?

JE: Given that the painting was hard to view and hadn’t been unrolled before, it had not been thoroughly researched. Previously, we had assumed it was a demon queller known as Shōki (in Japanese) or Zhong Kui (in Chinese). However, when we opened it again, we became skeptical of this idea. Further research has allowed us to determine that it is in fact Marshal Xin, a general of thunder who is identifiable by his blue skin and red hair, as well as his scroll and brush.

RK: Can you explain the treatment or conservation process that the painting is currently undergoing?

JE: The project involves restoration of the painting and the original silk support. We are taking off all of the old paper linings and replacing them. Unfortunately, we cannot reuse the surrounding silks because they are so badly damaged. During the first week of November, we are planning to rejoin the painting and mount, a complicated process that Museum visitors will have the opportunity to observe.

RK: Do the conservators find it stressful to perform such demanding work in front of large audiences?

JE: It is definitely a lot of pressure and a lot of intensity! Luckily, the conservators are very focused on their work and are some of the best in the world. The lead conservator, Jing Gao, actually enjoys the background noise! We have also been surprised by how respectful the public has been. Visitors, volunteers, and staff at the Museum are thrilled to have the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes. Traditionally, museum conservation only happened behind closed doors, but we are working to change this and emphasize this convergence of art and science. The project is a win-win for everyone, broadening education for museum-goers and professionals in the world of conservation.

Special thank you to Jacki Elgar, Pamela and Peter Voss Head of Asian Conservation, for her time in developing this article.