Most people rarely think about what becomes of art after it’s created; we usually encounter it as a finished piece, framed or hanging quietly in a gallery.
But for Angelina Bakalarou of BBC’s The Repair Shop, the story doesn’t end there — preserving and reviving old artworks is the heart of her craft.
She spoke to the North West Londoner about her work, joining the show, and following an unconventional path in life.
Not just for fancy galleries
One might assume that art conservation is a practice reserved only for high-value fine art. When it comes to Angelina’s work, that’s not always the case.
A large portion of her business comes from private clients, and among them are often people looking to preserve family heirlooms.
“If it’s a piece of paper that means enough to a person that they’re willing to spend a decent amount of money on it, it’s an honor to be able to do that for them,” she said.
“Even mass-produced things have value to the people that have had them.”
One of her favourite restorations was an 1890s board game that had been passed down through a family for generations. Belonging to her client’s grandmother, Angelina worked extra hours to ensure it turned out perfectly.
Another project involved a handmade zoetrope—an animation device from the Victorian era— created many years previously by her client’s ancestor.
The process
Every time a client approaches her with a new project, Angelina must assess the item put forward and decide what can be done to fix it. This involves determining whether intervention is necessary, and if so, how much is needed.
Once she has assessed the piece visually and structurally, the restoration process can almost resemble surgery. She tackles tears, stains and all manner of damage brought about by ageing or use.
Not every client wants something to look pristine. Some prefer visible wear, seeing certain elements of damage as part of an object’s history. Others are seeking total restoration.
“It’s a combination of what can be done, what is affecting the visual representation of the item and what the client wants. Not everybody wants [their item] to look new again,” she said.
The Repair Shop
Having already been working in conservation for years, she was approached by the BBC’s The Repair Shop to feature as an expert.
The show, which captures the work of expert restorers, focuses heavily on the human story behind each artefact — both the client and the expert who spends hours restoring each object.
It has also been a way for Angelina to build community in a relatively small and niche field:
“It’s not just about the work, but it’s also about the people that surround you. In my studio, I’m on my own,” she said.
“I crave the closeness to other craftsmen because all the people that work there are passionate about what they do. So it’s like finding a really odd little family where everybody understands exactly how you feel.”
Since making her first appearance in 2023, she has appeared on over twenty episodes, restoring artefacts that vary from a caravan club calendar to a crayon portrait from the early 1900s.
Do the ‘weird thing‘
Originally interested in architecture and history, by the time she reached university, her focus was set on art conservation.
“It was love at first lesson. It’s been all these years, and I have not looked back,” she said.
Even though the hours can be long sometimes, and complicated projects can be frustrating, she loves what she does.
To anyone who is facing doubt about following their passions, her advice is simple: “Do the weird thing. If you’re really passionate, just don’t give up. Keep fighting.”
For Angelina, restoration isn’t just a profession, it’s a way of honouring the stories that objects carry, and preserving them for the next generation.
Featured image credit: Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels
Headshot courtesy of Angelina Bakalarou
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