The strongest team of fully qualified sculpture specialists in Scotland.

Graciela Ainsworth

Having gained a BA Hons in Fine Art from the University of Northumbria, (1979-1982) Graciela went on to train in Conservation at the City & Guilds of London Art School where she was awarded a Diploma in Sculpture Conservation/Restoration, (1982-1985). After spending a year working as a Sculpture Conservator at Plowden & Smith, (1985-1986), Graciela went on to work as a Sculpture Conservator in the Workshop of Taylor Pearce Restoration Services, (1986-1990).

Graciela then founded Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 1990 and was Icon/PACR Accredited in 2000. She was invited to be a member of the MCA in 2019 and was nominated to become an FIIC in 2020.

Since 1990 she has spoken at many conferences including events at the Glasgow School of Art, MCAP seminar, the Opening of the Nigg Pictish stone installation at Nigg and an Icon seminar at Hampton Court Palace about the conservation of the Da Maiano renaissance terracotta’s. Articles have also been written in Conservation and Sculpture publications, and she continues to carve and carry out new sculpture commissions at the same time as the sculpture conservation and restoration.

The Team

Will Collier

Will joined Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 1995.

He studied Town and Regional Planning at Dundee University where he was awarded a BSc (Hons), (1985-1990). He went on to work with Tim Meek Associates, (1993-1995) before starting work as Sculpture Conservator. After 16 years with the company, Will is the longest serving employee. Will is also a nominated First Aider.



Iain Fox

Iain joined Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 1995.

He was awarded a BSc in Commerce from the University of Edinburgh, (1988-1992) and. Iain handles the administration and logistics of the business as well as the planning for the dismantling, transportation and relocation of sculptures.



Jonathan Leburn

Jonathan completed an HLF supported ICON internship in Sculpture Conservation based at Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation, (2007-2008) and on completion of the internship was taken on as a full time employee in 2008.

Jonathan studied at Aberdeen University where he was awarded a BSc (Hons) in Geology, (1999-2003). Jonathan first discovered a passion for Sculpture whilst cleaning marble garden statuary at Drummond Castle Gardens as a summer job, (2001-2004). Jonathan is a nominated First Aider.



Csilla Karsay

Csilla began working for Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 2003.

She studied Fine Arts in Lublin (1988-1993), she was then awarded a degree in the Conservation and Restoration of Stone Sculpture and Architectural Ornament at the Fine Arts Academy in Warsaw (1994-2001) Csilla also studied through 1998 at the Archeology Department at Warsaw University. From 1995 to 2002 Csilla gained experience on projects from Roman marble busts in Warsaw Museum, 16th century limestone doorway in St Laurent, Ukraine, to sandstone gateway at Wilanow Palace, Poland. She has also worked on Unesco conservation sites in Ukraine and Egypt.



Dr. Jonathan Kemp

Jonathan has worked with Graciela Ainsworth since 1991-1996, then as London associate Sculpture Conservator in 1998 – 2000, 2002-2004, 2011 and 2013.

He completed BA(hons) in Philosophy, then went on to Weymouth College where he was awarded the CGLI for Architectural carving and then a PGDip in stone conservation. From 2006 to 2009 Jonathan worked in the V & A Sculpture Conservation department. In 2009-2013 he then completed his PHd in experimental Media Art at the University of Westminster, whilst being a part time tutor in stone conservation at City and Guilds of London Art School.



Derek Cunningham

Derek began working for Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 2021.

He studied Fine Art (Sculpture) and gained a BA(Hons) at Gray’s School of Art/Robert Gordon University in 1989. In 2007 Derek completed an ICON Conservation internship, and in 2008 completed Laser cleaning training at the National Conservation Centre in Liverpool and completed Chemistry for Conservators through IAP. Derek is a qualified operator of Nd:Yag Phoenix Laser, the Doff and Torq conservation cleaning tools.



Elanor King

Ellie started working for Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 2016.

She studied Conservation at City and Guilds of London Art School and gained a 1st class BA(Hons) in 2013, where she also gained 1st class in her dissertation on the Investigating physical properties of unglazed terracotta in relation to firing temperatures. Ellie completed the Chemistry for Conservators with IAP.



Romain Formet

Romain started working for Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation in 2022.

He worked in Paris with Marc Maison restoring and carving fine decorative marble Fireplaces from 2015-2020. Prior to that he completed an apprenticeship with Compagnons du Devoir in France as a banker mason.